Confessions of a Professional Organizer: 10 FAQ’s
When people find out I’m a Professional Organizer, I can almost see the wheels turning. First comes the polite smile, then the curious pause… and then the questions start flying!
And no, it’s never about our hourly rate or what bins I recommend. It’s the juicy questions, the ones people really want to know. The ones you’d only ask if you were genuinely curious about what it’s like to step inside other people’s homes and lives every single day.
They’re unexpected, sometimes a little awkward, always entertaining, and honestly? I love answering them! 😂
So today, I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing the 10 most common questions I get as a Professional Organizer. Consider this your unfiltered, behind-the-scenes peek into what this work is really like.
“So… is your house perfectly organized?”
I wish! You should see my kids’ rooms! 😅 The truth is, my house is just as “real” as yours: empty snack wrappers in the pantry, a laundry pile that seems to go away, and spaces that need constant tweaking as our lifestyle evolves.
Here’s the thing: organization isn’t a one-and-done project. Even in my own home, I’m always testing out new systems, editing what doesn’t work, and making adjustments as our routines shift. That’s the point, it evolves with you.
So no, my house isn’t perfect. But it works for us, and that’s the real goal!
“Do you ever judge people’s homes when you walk in?”
Never. Truly.
If anything, messes make me excited because I immediately see the possibilities! A cluttered room isn’t “bad,” it’s just a space waiting to work better for you. When I walk into a home, I don’t see piles of stuff; I see puzzles to solve, systems to create, and calm waiting to happen.
If you’ve ever hesitated to invite an organizer over because you’re embarrassed, please hear this: We’re not judging. We’re genuinely thrilled to dive in!
“What’s the worst space you’ve ever seen?”
This probably isn’t the juicy answer you’re hoping for, but we haven’t seen it yet. Sure, we’ve worked in overflowing garages, closets stuffed to the brim, and playrooms that looked like a toy store exploded. But to us, those aren’t horror stories - again, they’re just spaces with potential.
We don’t work with clinical hoarding situations, but we do work in some very full, very cluttered homes. And always, always with zero judgment.
“What do people have the hardest time letting go of?”
This one always makes me laugh, because it’s rarely the expensive stuff. It’s the sentimental-but-random things that sneak their way in.
Think:
Half-finished pottery painting projects
The “masterpiece” canvas from a paint-and-sip night
Souvenir cups from that one amusement park trip
None of these items are inherently bad, it’s just that they rarely get used, and they tend to multiply. The lesson? We tend to hold onto things that represent memories, even if the item itself no longer serves us.
“Do you actually enjoy doing this, or does it get exhausting?”
I get it! Sorting through closets and garages doesn’t sound fun to everyone. But for most organizers, the challenge is what keeps us going!
No two days are the same. One day, it’s designing a pantry system for a family of five; the next, it’s helping a retiree downsize decades of belongings. Every project is a new puzzle, and our “office” is different every day!
“Have you ever found anything really weird in someone’s house?”
Define weird. 😉
Let’s just say we’ve learned to become detectives of mystery items. Google image search is our best friend, and yes, we’ve found things we never knew existed. But the truth is, “weird” is usually just “unexpected.”
Those little discoveries are what keep the job interesting!
“Do your kids/family actually stay organized?”
In our common spaces, yes. The systems we’ve put in place—bins, labels, and drop zones—work for everyone, so things generally stay where they belong.
But in their personal spaces? All bets are off. My philosophy has always been: if the shared spaces run smoothly, I can let their bedrooms go a little. Organization works differently for everyone, and if my kids’ bedrooms work for them, that’s all that matters.
“What’s the one product you couldn’t live without?”
Easy: my label maker.
Here’s why: you can grab any container—an old basket, a random box, a bin you’ve had for years—and instantly turn it into an organizing system with one little label. It keeps everyone on the same page and saves you from the dreaded “Mom, where’s my…?” questions.
“Isn’t it just cleaning?”
Nope!
Cleaning is about getting rid of dirt. Organizing is about creating systems so your home actually works for your life. But here’s the magic: once your space is organized, cleaning becomes faster, easier, and way less overwhelming.
“If you came to my house, where would you start?”
This one’s my favorite, because I like to flip it back on the person who’s asking the question: wherever YOU would put us to work first.
Every home is different. Some families struggle with kitchens, others with playrooms, others with garages. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all starting point. So I always ask: if our team showed up on your doorstep tomorrow morning, where would you send us first? That’s usually the space causing the most stress—and that’s where we begin.
The Bottom Line
Reading about it is one thing, but living it is another. Want to see for yourself what it’s really like to have a Professional Organizer walk into your home? (Spoiler: it’s not scary—it’s actually kind of fun!) Book your consultation today and experience the difference for yourself! Whether you’re in Bellingham, Seattle, or one of their surrounding areas, our team would love to help turn your overwhelming spaces into ones that support your every day life. ❤️
