Frequently Asked Questions

 FAQs

  • A professional organizer is someone who can help you get your home and life in order. That’s right - we do more than just organize your home. We can help you with streamlining your life and habits, too!

    Organizers are skilled in creating efficient and functional systems to maximize space utilization and minimize clutter. We work closely with our clients to understand their needs, preferences, and organizational challenges, and then develop personalized strategies and plans to tackle those issues.

    We provide guidance, practical solutions, and support to clients in organizing their belongings, streamlining their processes, and establishing easy-to-maintain organizing habits.

    We can help you with downsizing, upsizing, unpacking from a move, streamlining your routines, and even managing estate clearouts.

    Additionally, professional organizers may educate clients on effective time management techniques, decision-making skills, and strategies to prevent future clutter.

    Overall, a professional organizer aims to empower individuals to regain control over their environments, reduce stress, increase productivity, and create a more organized and balanced lifestyle.

    At the end of the day, a professional organizer will help you take control of your space, organize it, give you the tools to maintain it, and help make your life easier so you can love your home and lower your stress levels!

    1. Efficiency and Time-Saving: A professional organizer has the expertise and knowledge to streamline the organizing process. They will develop personalized systems and strategies that maximize efficiency, saving you valuable time and energy in the long run.

    2. Reduced Stress and Overwhelm: Clutter and disorganization can be overwhelming, leading to increased stress and anxiety. A professional organizer will help you declutter and create an organized environment, promoting a sense of calmness and reducing mental and physical strain.

    3. Customized Solutions: Professional organizers understand that every individual and space is unique. They will tailor their approach to your specific needs, lifestyle, and preferences, creating customized solutions that work best for you.

    4. Improved Productivity and Focus: An organized space allows for better focus and increased productivity. A professional organizer will help you optimize your environment, ensuring that everything has a designated place, reducing distractions, and enabling you to stay focused on your tasks and goals.

    5. Enhanced Functionality and Flow: Professional organizers have a keen eye for spatial design and optimization. They can transform your space to improve functionality and flow, making it easier to navigate, find items, and utilize every inch effectively.

    6. Long-Term Maintenance: One of the key benefits of working with a professional organizer is that they provide you with the tools and knowledge to maintain an organized space. They will teach you organizing principles, systems, and techniques, empowering you to sustain order and prevent future clutter.

    7. Mindset Shift: Hiring a professional organizer can trigger a shift in your mindset and relationship with your belongings. Through the process, you will learn to let go of unnecessary items, develop a more intentional approach to consumption, and prioritize what truly matters, leading to a more minimalist and fulfilling lifestyle.

    8. Maximizing Space and Resources: A professional organizer can help you make the most of your available space and resources. They will offer creative storage solutions, optimization strategies, and innovative ideas to maximize your space's potential, regardless of its size.

    9. Improved Well-being: An organized and clutter-free environment can have a positive impact on your overall well-being. It can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, enhance sleep quality, and create a more harmonious and peaceful atmosphere, contributing to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

    10. Personalized Support: Working with a professional organizer means you have a supportive partner on your organizing journey. They provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability, ensuring that you stay motivated and on track towards achieving your organizing goals.

    In summary, hiring a professional organizer offers a wide range of benefits, including increased efficiency, reduced stress, customized solutions, improved productivity, optimized space, long-term maintenance strategies, mindset shift, resource maximization, enhanced well-being, and personalized support. By investing in professional organizing services, you can transform your space, simplify your life, and experience the long-lasting benefits of an organized and harmonious environment.

  • We organize way more than just closets. In fact, we do every type of room. Here’s just a sample of the things we’ve worked on in the past:

    • Closets

    • Fridges and Freezers

    • Kitchens and Pantries

    • Bedrooms

    • Kids Rooms and Playrooms

    • Garages and Sheds

    • Craft Rooms

    • Offices

    • Laundry Rooms

    • Dining Rooms

    • Bathrooms

    • Living Rooms

    • Entryways

    • Game/Media Rooms

    • Horse Stables

    • Funeral Homes

    • Homework Stations

    Whether you need help with a small linen closet, an entire house, or a few rooms in between, we can help you declutter, establish storage solutions, and create easy-to-maintain systems that work for your specific needs.

  • Please visit my pricing page for more information: www.thinkoutsidetheclosethouston.com/pricing.

    Also, if you’re struggling financially, don’t assume an organizer is out of reach. Simply ask me about my current specials and exclusive discounts for teachers, low-income, and disabled clients.

  • There are just two things we need from you before a session:

    • For a closet session: Please ensure that 100% of your clothes are laundered and ready to go. This helps us get a complete and accurate picture of what you own, so we can organize effectively.

    Note: Please don’t tidy up beforehand—we want to see the space as it is currently being used so we can work with your real-life setup.

    • For a kitchen session: Please make sure all dishes are clean. This allows us to focus on the organizing process without distractions and ensures the space is ready for optimization.

    Note: Again, avoid tidying up before we arrive. We want to see the space in its current state to best assess the organization needs.

  • On average, most spaces take around 8 hours to organize. However, the timeline can vary depending on factors like:

    • The size and complexity of the space

    • The volume of items to sort through

    • Your specific goals for the room

    • How quickly decisions are made during the process

    For example, smaller spaces like linen closets or laundry rooms may only take a few hours, while larger projects, like a fully packed walk-in closet, can take over 24 hours. I once organized a small bathroom in just 2 hours, but a more complex space could span several days or even weeks.

    To get a clearer idea of your project's timeline, schedule a consultation with me. Together, we’ll assess your space and provide an estimated timeframe tailored to your needs.

  • Yes, privacy and confidentiality are crucial aspects of the professional organizer-client relationship. Professional organizers adhere to a strict code of ethics from NAPO, which includes maintaining client confidentiality. We always respect your privacy and ensure that any sensitive information or personal belongings are handled discreetly and securely. We are also happy to sign NDAs if requested.

  • During our first session, we’ll start by clearing out everything from the room you're organizing. We’ll sort the items into categories, and together, you’ll decide what to keep, toss, or donate. Afterward, we’ll quickly clean the space—this typically includes vacuuming and wiping down shelves—and begin planning for the organization, including taking measurements.

    If needed, we may recommend products tailored to your specific needs and space measurements to help optimize and maintain your organized space. All recommended items are available for same-day in-store pickup or within a few days via Amazon Prime.

    We’ll send you a list of carefully curated items, detailing what each one is, the quantity you need, and clickable links to purchase them.

    Once your items arrive, we’ll return to your home to put everything in its place and label it. Finally, we’ll do a walkthrough to reveal your newly organized space!

  • Due to unfortunate experiences with dishonest people in the past, we prefer giving you a shopping list to shopping for you on our dime. However, if you’d like to utilize shopping services, please let us know. Please note that this adds an additional fee to your project.

  • The choice is yours!

    Some clients love to be hands-on, working alongside us throughout the organizing process.

    Others may feel overwhelmed or stressed at the thought of being involved and prefer to hand the entire process over to us. If that’s you, no problem! We’re happy to take the reins and will keep you updated with regular progress reports.

  • We will never get rid of anything without asking you first. Most clients go through the items with us, but if you cannot be physically there, that’s okay. ​Items that are potentially leaving your home will be sorted for you to review at the end of each work session in case of your absence.

  • Absolutely! Professional organizers not only help you create an organized space but also provide guidance on how to maintain it. They can teach you organizing principles, effective habits, and strategies to prevent future clutter. By implementing these techniques, you can sustain an organized environment and enjoy long-term benefits.

    In addition, we also offer Maintenance Plans if you just don’t have the time or the spoons to do it yourself!

  • No. The only time I absolutely need input from you is during the purging process. However, I can discuss this with you over text or email rather than in person if that’s easier!

  • No, we prefer to wait on recommending products until we’ve had a chance to see the space and take measurements. This allows us to suggest the best solutions tailored specifically to your needs. We’ll provide a curated list of products after our initial session, and you can purchase them as needed.

  • Yes, we can help with both! We take all donations off-site for free, handling the transportation and drop-off for you. However, we can’t accept large furniture, pianos, medication, or weapons. If you're interested in selling items, we can assist with organizing a resale or consignment process as well. Just let us know what you'd like to focus on!

  • We understand that health, chronic pain, or illness can sometimes impact your ability to keep a session, and we never penalize for cancellations or rescheduling in these cases.

    However, for cancellations or rescheduling due to other reasons, we charge a cancellation fee of 50% of the scheduled day's work. This applies if you cancel or reschedule a session less than 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

    Please notify us as soon as possible, and we'll do our best to accommodate you with a new time.

  • If you’re unsure where to begin, don’t worry—we’re here to guide you. We’ll help you identify the most pressing areas to tackle first, based on your goals and what’s most important to you.

    Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need a plan, we’ll create a tailored approach that works for you, starting with the space that makes the most sense. Together, we’ll break it down into manageable steps so you can feel confident about the process.

  • We take the utmost care with sensitive or personal items and respect your privacy at all times. Everything will remain 100% confidential.

    However, note that we’ve seen it all—nothing shocks or offends us at this point! If you need us to organize anything, including adult items, we’re here for it with no judgment.

    Our goal is to create a comfortable space where you feel at ease throughout the process. Let us know how we can help with your specific needs!

  • No, we do not offer remote or virtual organizing services. Our approach is hands-on to ensure that every solution is tailored to your specific space and needs. By working directly in the space, we can make the best decisions about organization, layout, and product recommendations.

  • At Think Outside the Closet, we do so much more than just organizing.

    In addition to organizing, we offer laundry services, wardrobe curation and cataloging, valuation, resale and consignment assistance, custom storage space design, and unpacking services.

    We’re committed to accessibility, ensuring our solutions work for all needs, including those with mobility challenges. In fact, this is our specialty. Whether you’re battling fibro, CRPS, ADHD, depression, anxiety, or something else, we’ve got your back - because we’ve been through it. We know everyone can’t afford a fancy remodeling crew to make their home accessible and easier to use - and that’s why we started this business in the first place: to fill those gaps for this community we love.

    And we organize things that other organizers won’t! Need help organizing an adult playspace or a very specific craft room or garage workspace? We’ve got your back. We’ve even organized horse stables, woodworking sheds, and funeral homes.

    Our hands-on, personalized approach means every space is designed and customized to fit your life, whether it's a small pantry or a luxury closet. We create functional, sustainable systems tailored to you.

  • During our first meeting in person, we require that your pets be kenneled, on a leash, or secured in another room until they decide if they like us or not :P. After that, as long as they are chill, we’re great with them being out and about and will likely give them a cuddle!