How to Organize Your Home Like a Professional

To organize like a professional, work on one defined area at a time, group similar belongings together and give frequently used items an easy-to-maintain home. Starting with a single closet, desk or other manageable space can make a larger organizing project easier to complete. 

The original advice in this article came from professional organizer Betsy James, whose central recommendation is simple, finish one area before moving to the next. 

Key Takeaways 

• Organize one defined space at a time.  

• Remove or relocate things you no longer use.  

• Group similar items together.  

• Keep frequently used belongings easy to reach.  

• Use dividers, containers or other organizers where they genuinely help.  

• Store seasonal belongings outside everyday spaces when you need additional room.  

• Build systems that are simple enough to maintain.  

Professional Organizing Principles at a Glance 

How Do Professional Organizers Get Started? 

Start small. 

Instead of deciding to “organize the house,” choose one clearly defined area: 

• One closet  

• One desk  

• One cabinet  

• One drawer  

• One section of a room  

Finish that area before starting another. 

A completed small space gives you a usable system instead of leaving several half-organized projects throughout the house. 

How Do You Organize a Closet Like a Professional? 

Start with the clothing you wear regularly. 

Separate items into categories such as: 

• Wear regularly  

• Seasonal  

• Donate  

• Store  

• Repair or clean  

Then look at how the remaining wardrobe works together. 

If an item no longer fits your style, routine or existing wardrobe, decide whether you genuinely want to keep it rather than automatically returning it to the closet. 

Seasonal clothing, special-occasion outfits and recreational gear may not need prime closet space all year. 

If space is limited, eligible out-of-season belongings can be packed and stored until you need them again. 

How Do You Organize a Car? 

Keep loose items contained and make sure everyday essentials have a defined place. 

For example: 

• Use a small organizer for appropriate personal items.  

• Keep the center console from becoming a catch-all.  

• Sort vehicle paperwork so required documents can be located when needed.  

• Remove unnecessary items periodically.  

Store items so they do not interfere with driving controls, visibility or passenger space, and only retrieve items when it is appropriate to do so. 

How Do You Organize a Desk or Home Office? 

Keep the main work surface available for the task you are currently doing. 

Move smaller supplies into drawers, trays or organizers. 

Useful categories may include: 

• Pens and writing supplies  

• Chargers  

• Sticky notes  

• Office tools  

• Current project materials  

Drawer organizers can help give small items a consistent home instead of allowing everything to collect in one large pile. 

What Should Stay on Your Desk? 

Keep only what you use regularly or need for your current work. 

Everything else can be: 

• Put in a drawer  

• Filed  

• Relocated  

• Donated or discarded  

• Stored elsewhere if you plan to keep it  

The exact amount of “clear space” you need is personal. The practical goal is to make sure clutter does not interfere with using the desk. 

How Can Self-Storage Help With Organization? 

Self-storage can provide additional room for eligible belongings you want to keep but do not need in your everyday living or working space. 

It may be useful for: 

• Seasonal clothing  

• Holiday décor  

• Sports and hobby gear  

• Extra household furniture  

• Business inventory or supplies  

• Belongings during a move or home project  

The Public Storage Size Guide can help you compare storage-unit dimensions and approximate capacity. 

What Storage Features Might Help With Organization? 

Depending on what you plan to store, you may also want to compare available features. 

Climate-Controlled Storage 

Climate-controlled units are designed to help maintain more consistent temperature or humidity levels than standard storage. 

More than 90% of Public Storage properties—4,300 of more than 4,600 locations—offer climate-controlled units. 

Drive-Up Access 

Drive-Up Access allows you to pull a vehicle directly up to a ground-level unit for easier loading and unloading. 

More than 45% of Public Storage properties—2,200 locations—offer Drive-Up Access units. 

Features and availability vary by facility. 

FAQs About Organizing Like a Professional 

Where should I start when organizing my home? 

Start with one small, defined area such as a drawer, closet or cabinet and finish it before moving to another space. 

What is the easiest way to organize a closet? 

Begin with clothes you wear regularly, then separate seasonal, donation and storage items before arranging what remains. 

How do I keep my desk organized? 

Give small supplies designated places in drawers or organizers and keep the main surface available for current work. 

Should seasonal clothes stay in my closet? 

Not necessarily. If closet space is limited, out-of-season clothing you plan to keep can be stored elsewhere until needed. 

How do professionals keep spaces organized? 

They typically use clear categories, designated homes for belongings and systems simple enough to maintain over time. 

Can self-storage help me organize my home? 

Yes. Eligible belongings you use less frequently can be moved outside your everyday living area when additional space would help. 

Find a Public Storage location near you and compare available unit sizes and features. 

Watch: Professional Organizing Tips for Closets, Cars and Desks

Start by breaking larger organizing projects into bite-sized tasks. Smaller steps can make progress easier to track and help you stay motivated. In this video, Los Angeles–based professional organizer Betsy James shares practical tips for organizing three areas that commonly become cluttered: closets, cars and desks.