toys, Decluttering, Organizing Jolie Medina toys, Decluttering, Organizing Jolie Medina

Ask the Organizer: Too Many Toys

This is a very common problem for families, with more and more access to cheap toys from places like Amazon and Target, the problem is only growing. Most of the time when we help a household with children’s belongings get organized, the biggest issue is that there are just way too many toys for the space (and also too many toys to play with!). Studies show children play better and focus better with fewer toys, so the steps below will help you declutter those toys and get your household back on track.

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Organizing, Decluttering, Seasonal Jolie Medina Organizing, Decluttering, Seasonal Jolie Medina

Spring Organizing

If you treat May as your pre-summer organizing month, you’ll create more space, save time, and start the warmer months already prepared. Whether it’s clearing your attic, reworking the garage, or setting up your summer station, these tasks will help you spend June, July and
August in a state of relaxation.

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Organizing Rachel Fontaine Organizing Rachel Fontaine

Tackle Your Bedroom Closet

Decluttering and organizing your closet is a big project, but once you are done, you’ll be able to sleep better, you won’t have “nothing to wear”, you’ll save money by not having to buy extras to replace lost items, and putting laundry away will take minutes.

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8 Common Organizing Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Organizing isn’t about being perfect or making your home look perfect; it’s about making your home work better for you in small, functional ways. The more you learn to spot these common mistakes, the easier it becomes to adjust and create systems that really fit your routines, your space, and your family. Start small, stay flexible, and celebrate progress over perfection. With a few mindful tweaks and steady maintenance, you’ll soon realize you’re actually great at organizing!

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Productivity, Organizing Rachel Fontaine Productivity, Organizing Rachel Fontaine

Sell or Donate?

Ultimately, the right choice will support your bigger goal: a home that serves you, not the other way around. Whether you pocket some cash or give back to your community, both paths reduce excess and create calm. The key is making a decision, taking action, and moving forward.

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Your Winter Organizing Guide

When the days grow shorter, and the weather keeps us inside, it’s easy to feel stir-crazy… and surrounded by clutter. Normally, we think of spring as the time to organize and clean out; however, winter is actually the perfect season to tackle indoor organizing projects that often get overlooked in busier, warmer months. If you’re snowed in or it’s too cold to go outside, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite organizing projects!

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Organizing Rachel Fontaine Organizing Rachel Fontaine

Creating an Action Plan for Your New Year Home Organizing

Now that you've completed your yearly home review and highlighted your notes into those four key categories (Keep & Love, Fix or Upgrade, Let Go, and Problem-Solve), it's time to make a plan. I don’t want you to burn yourself out by trying to do everything at once; instead, create a realistic, prioritized plan that fits into your life.

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Organizing Rachel Fontaine Organizing Rachel Fontaine

A Yearly Home Organizing Review

The year’s almost over, so now’s the perfect time to honestly assess how your home served you over the past 12 months. The purpose of a review isn’t to make you feel guilty; it’s about gathering information so you can make smarter decisions going forward.

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Organizing, Finances Rachel Fontaine Organizing, Finances Rachel Fontaine

Finances in a Time of Crisis (From the Archive)

I originally published this blog article in 2020 when a lot of people were struggling with the ramifications of governments telling people who could and couldn’t work. That may not be a current problem but there are still many people who are struggling to make ends meet each month. If you’re one of those people, I’ve revived the tips below for you.

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Organizing, Productivity Jolie Medina Organizing, Productivity Jolie Medina

"Go Clean Your Room!"

Teaching your kids how to tidy a space is like teaching them how to ride a bike or how to read; it takes time and practice and lots of little lessons that eventually make up the big picture. Learning to tidy and take care of their own space is an important life skill that builds independence, confidence, and responsibility, and helps create a calm environment for them to thrive in.

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Organizing, Productivity Rachel Fontaine Organizing, Productivity Rachel Fontaine

Your Kitchen: Decluttering and Organizing for Efficiency

The kitchen can be a challenging space to organize and keep clutter-free. It’s often a hub of activity, contains hundreds of small items, and its abundant flat surfaces tend to collect debris. A decluttered kitchen will save you time, reduce your stress load, and make cooking a joy (or at least less of a chore). As professional organizers, we’ve transformed countless kitchens into functional spaces. Here, we’ll share some tips to help you declutter yours for maximum functionality.

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Resetting Your Space

When I set up the room, I had assigned drawers and baskets for specific items, but I realized some spots weren’t working, especially in the cabinet, and I was trying to fit too many different things on one shelf. I pulled everything out, reorganized, and found two bags worth of things I could donate, which gave me more room to actually see what I have and use it! 

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Finances, Organizing, Productivity Rachel Fontaine Finances, Organizing, Productivity Rachel Fontaine

Taming Your Financial Clutter

Financial clutter can be just as overwhelming as an overflowing closet. Unfortunately, because discussing finances is often seen as taboo, many people were never taught how to manage their finances in an organized and clutter-free way. Having clear financial systems is important because it empowers individuals to take control of their money.

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Organizing, Productivity Rachel Fontaine Organizing, Productivity Rachel Fontaine

The Spring Seasonal Wardrobe Switch

Start your seasonal switch with a clear plan. Set aside a dedicated day or two to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Be careful not to get started too early in the season; April is too early, even if there are a few warm days. Mid to late May is best. Begin by emptying your closet and drawers completely—this gives you a blank slate to assess your wardrobe. Sort items into four piles: keep, donate, trash, and pack away.

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Organizing Rachel Fontaine Organizing Rachel Fontaine

The Illusion of Cleanliness: What Visitors Really See

So, what are my guests actually seeing? It’s the openness: the bare countertops, the spacious shelves, the floors that hold furniture and nothing else. They notice that the living room is a living room, not a storage unit or makeshift office. The kitchen is for cooking, not a dumping ground for mail and half-dead plants. This functional use of space creates a look that reads as “clean,” even if a close inspection might reveal some shepherd dust or drool.

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