Frequently Asked Organizing Questions

Organizing is about creating a system where everything has a place and works together seamlessly—transforming your space into a functional, cohesive environment that supports your daily life.

Edit what you don’t need, sort what’s left, assign a place for all similar items, containerize and label, develop a system to maintain your organized spaces, evaluate and revise as you go.

We always ask our clients "Do you need it, use it or love it?". If not, consider letting it go to make space to live more simply.

By hiring a Trained Professional Organizer, you can expect a high level of expertise, respect, confidentiality, no judgment, a plan to organize your space and the hands-on help to get your project done.

Our process lessens the time and effort that you must spend performing these tasks.

This hands-on assistance decreases clutter, maximizes storage space, time is managed better, productivity is improved and systems are created for the efficient and productive use of your workplace and household going forward.

We have never worked with a client that has ever regretted getting organized.

Professional Organizers create customized solutions to increase the efficiency of your home or business environment to find balance and maximize your time and resources. 

It's all about making systems that fit you and your life or work so that you can find more freedom in your life.

Ultimately we work together in developing your personal organizing plan. Decisions about what items are no longer wanted, the level of organization you desire and what types of storage solutions/products are used are always made based on your vision and budget which results in you feeling organized.

That depends on you and your unique situation!  We offer 2 levels of service:

1. Done With You:  This is the best of both worlds, where you have our Professional Organizer work with you to create a comprehensive organizing plan, and we help you get it done.

2. Done For You: You may have started a project, but for some reason, you cannot finish. Or, you have a clear idea about what needs to be done, but you don't have the time, energy, or ability to get started and finish. This is where we come in and do it all for you!

Again, that depends on you and your unique situation!  

Many years of accumulated possessions, the size of and use of a certain space, small items vs. large items, and the client's ability/willingness to complete homework assignments in between sessions impact the time it takes to free your space. 

We will always work within your budget and work on your priority spaces first.

Here's a good estimate on how long it takes to declutter and organize various spaces:

Kitchen Closet Pantry: 2-6 hours
Kitchen Walk-In Pantry: 6-12 hours
Kitchen Upper Cabinets: 6-8 hours
Kitchen Lower Cabinets: 6-10 hours

Home Office Without Paper Organizing: 6-12 hours
Home Office With Paper Organizing: 12-48 hours

Laundry Room Couple with no kids: 2-4 hours
Laundry Room Family with kids: 4-8 hours

Playroom Lots of big toys: 4-12 hours
Playroom Lots of tiny toys: 6-18 hours

Closet Linen: 1.5-3 hours
Closet Primary: 6-12 hours
Closet Kids: 2-6 hours
Closet Utility: 1.5-4 hours
Closet Guest: 3-8 hours

Bedroom Primary: 6-18 hours
Bedroom Kids: 4-12 hours
Bedroom Guest: 4-12 hours

Hobby/Craft Room: 8-24 hours

Garage 1-Car: 6-12 hours
Garage 2-Car: 10-24 hours
No Car (just full of stuff): 18-48+ hours

We are happy to work with you to dispose of your gently used, unwanted items to a local charitable or non-profit organization within the City of Calgary.

If unwanted items belong in your residential garbage or recycling bin, please make sure they go there responsibly.

We offer full-service support for selling items, including coordinating large-scale online estate sales through a number of online trusted platforms specializing in professionally managed online auctions. Our team can oversee the entire process, from preparing and organizing items to managing the sale from start to finish.

For smaller or individual items, we can also assist with listing and selling through platforms such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and others, ensuring nothing of value is overlooked.

Yes. We have a team of Professional Organizers and helpers who can assist with the downsizing and organizing process. The key to a successful downsizing is to have a professional plan created specifically for you and your space.

We would initially meet with you to formulate the organizing plan. Once you approve of the plan, we begin working to meet your goals.

The more the merrier! Friends or family who are willing to help you sort, pack/unpack boxes, etc. are more than welcome to join in.

Keep in mind that you are the client and we will always take our cues and direction from you, not your helpers.

Of course! We will use what you already have on hand as much as possible.

If we need additional organizing products/supplies you can source and purchase your own or we can help you with recommendations.

Or if you prefer, we can take care of this for you - measuring, space planning, purchasing, delivery and set up. We charge back exactly what it cost us for the organizing products with no mark-up or time added (receipts available upon request).

We recommend that organizing products are not purchased until after the sorting process is complete so we know exactly what is needed.

Absolutely! We carry Commercial General Liability and Professional Liability insurance and police clearance. 

If we decide to work together, we will gladly provide you with proof of insurance and/or police clearance upon your request.

We are Trained Professional Organizers with the Professional Organizers in Canada.

We have worked with hundreds of clients in Calgary to assist them with all kinds of organizing services. 

Being organized is a way of life for us, we love what we do and we are experts in our field!

Each client and space is different and we are excellent at focusing on solutions to solve your unique organizing challenges. There isn't a level of disorganization that we can't handle. 

We will create a judgment-free relationship with you. We love helping clients regain freedom and function in your space.

Please don't feel shy or embarrassed about the current state of your space. We put our focus on transforming your space versus making you feel bad about your space.

Remember that we love what we do and we are on your side working for you.

The great news is that getting and staying organized is a skill that anyone can learn if they are open and willing.

Different people have different levels of acceptable clutter and we will work together to ensure your vision of your space is attained. By deciding to work with a Professional Organizer, your odds of long term success greatly increase.

We will ask you questions to try to understand the root cause of the problem and identify your specific needs.

If we decide we are a good fit, we will let you know which service option we feel would best suit your goals, timeline and budget.

Think of what your vision and goals are for your space after you have completed the organizing process.

Ask yourself:

• What do I value most?
• What makes me happy?
• What do I most want to accomplish?
• How will getting organized improve my life?

Please do NOT clean up before we meet. We need to see how things are working today so we can provide good solutions for a better tomorrow.

• Remove any obvious recycling/garbage from the area we will be starting in.
• Ensure the space is clean and safe so organizing can begin right away.
• Have garbage bags handy in case we find more items to discard or recycle during the initial sort.
• Place 4 large empty boxes in the space (donate/sell, keep, doesn’t belong, undecided).
• Complete previously agreed upon homework and product purchasing.
• If any family or friends will be joining us, let them know your vision and expectations so they help, not hinder, the process.

By completing the above preparations, our time together will be well used and you will save time and money in the long run!

The minimum hands-on organizing session we offer is 3 hours with one or more Professional Organizer(s).

If two Professional Organizers complete one 3 hour session, that is equal to 6 hours of service. Your goals, budget and timeline will determine if you need more than one Professional Organizer booked for each session.

We are flexible in booking for longer periods. If you have the time and energy, we can book up to a 6 hour session with 2 or more Professional Organizers.

We will always work together to develop a plan that fits within your timeline, budget and priorities.

• We will show up ready to transform your space!
• We will review and agree on the organizing plan for the day.
• Work together and begin the decluttering and sorting process.
• Organizational systems put in place that work for you.
• Review and evaluate our accomplishments to ensure your expectations were met.

Remember that things will always look worse before they look better! It is a part of the process and is critical to successfully meet your vision and goals.

The Simple Living Signature System™ is our proven organizing framework that helps you create a home that's easier to manage, maintain, and enjoy.

Rather than simply decluttering or putting things into containers, we guide you through a five-step process:

Vision → Decisions → Systems → Habits → Maintenance

This approach helps ensure your organizing systems continue working long after your organizing sessions are complete.

Many organizing methods focus on making a space look organized.

We focus on helping you create systems that actually work for your daily life.

Every recommendation we make is based on your routines, your family, your home, and your goals—not someone else's idea of the "perfect" organized space.

Our goal isn't perfection.

It's creating a home that supports the life you want to live.

We don't just organize your home—we teach you a practical system you can continue using as your life changes.

No.

One of the biggest misconceptions about organizing is that you need to buy lots of bins, baskets, or containers.

We believe products should support your organizing systems—not create them.

During our sessions, we first simplify, declutter, and establish functional systems. Once we understand how you use your space, we'll recommend products only if they genuinely improve the functionality of your home.

In many cases, we'll recommend using what you already own first. Once we've created a functional system, we'll suggest products only where they truly add value.

Absolutely not.

You remain in control of every decision.

Our role is to ask thoughtful questions, help you clarify your priorities, and support you as you decide what stays and what no longer serves your lifestyle.

We'll never pressure you to part with anything you're not ready to let go of.

That's completely normal.

Organizing can be emotional because our homes often tell the story of our lives.

We work at a pace that's comfortable for you, celebrate progress along the way, and provide judgment-free support throughout the entire process.

Many clients tell us they actually enjoy the process far more than they expected.

Our goal is to help you become confident maintaining your own organizing systems.

You'll also receive resources to help you continue your Simple Living™ journey, including:

• Keeping Your Home Organized Through Every Season
• The Simple Living Home Collection™
• What If Things Slip? A Simple Living Reset™ Guide
• Simple Living Reset™ options when life changes

We want your systems to evolve with you—not become another source of stress.

Life changes.

Children grow.

People move.

Careers change.

That's why we include maintenance as the final step of our Simple Living Signature System™.

Needing to adjust your systems isn't a sign you've failed.

It's a natural part of living.

Many of our clients invite us back once or twice a year for a Simple Living Reset™ session to refresh existing systems, organize new spaces, or adjust their home to fit a new season of life.

Success doesn't mean having a Pinterest-perfect home.

To us, success means:

✓ Finding what you need when you need it

✓ Spending less time managing your belongings

✓ Creating systems your family can maintain

✓ Feeling calmer and more confident in your home

✓ Having more time and energy for what matters most

If you're looking for quick cosmetic changes, our approach may not be the best fit.

But if you're looking to create lasting, sustainable organizing systems that fit your lifestyle and reduce everyday stress, we'd love to help.

Our goal is to create a home that continues working for you long after we're gone.

Absolutely.

Whether we're organizing your pantry, your garage, your entire home, or helping you prepare for a move, every project follows the same Simple Living Signature System™.

The goal isn't simply to organize a room.

It's to give you a framework you can apply throughout your home and continue using for years to come.

Many people believe getting organized starts with buying bins and baskets.

We believe it starts with understanding how you live.

When your systems are designed around your routines, your family, and your lifestyle, they're much easier to maintain. Products simply support those systems—they don't create them.

We have a "not calling to confirm" policy. 

Once we have an appointment on the calendar, we do NOT call to confirm. We will be at your home on the agreed-upon date and time unless cancelled or rescheduled with 24 hours' advance notice.

If you are scheduled for service and need to cancel, we require 24 hours' advance notice. 

If we do not receive 24 hours' advance notice, you will be charged the minimum rate of three (3) hours per Professional Organizer booked for service. 

We are committed to keeping our appointments with you and appreciate that commitment being provided back to us. 

Provided 24 hours' advance notice is given to cancel the scheduled date, and you do not wish to proceed, your payment will be refunded less a 20% administration fee.

E-transfer (preferred) and credit card. 

No—and in most cases, we actually recommend waiting.

One of the most common mistakes people make is purchasing bins, baskets, or containers before they've decluttered and created a functional organizing system.

Our Simple Living Signature System™ focuses on creating the right systems first. Once we understand how you use your space, we'll recommend organizing products only if they truly improve the functionality of your home.

Many clients are surprised to discover they can repurpose items they already own or need far fewer organizing products than they originally expected.

We will work with you in your space to install or implement resources to help you finish your project within our scope of services.

We can help you find a suitable 3rd party for service(s) you may need outside of what OMS offers.  We can also develop and manage a contractor service plan for an additional cost.

Gift certificates are available for our services.

When gifting services, we ask that the person being gifted is ready and open to the process before we contact them for the initial consultation. 

We will then provide them with an estimate on completing the entire project, including the amount you wish to gift (minimum $50).

To order a gift certificate, click HERE to purchase and send online.

We offer a satisfaction guarantee.

We do not offer a refund for organizing services as we cannot guarantee the exact level of organization. There are many factors involved that can impact the pace and outcome of the project.

If the goals we agreed upon are not met, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that your goals are met. At the end of every working session we evaluate our accomplishments to ensure your goals and expectations are being addressed.

Your satisfaction means everything to us.

Yes we do! When our clients share the gift of organization with friends and family, they enjoy exclusive rewards:

• For You: Receive a $50 discount on your next service for every successful referral.
• For Your Referral: Your friend or family member will also enjoy a $50 discount on their first service.

Yes. After we've assessed your space and created a functional organizing plan, we're happy to recommend products that complement your new systems.

To make things easy, we've created our Simple Living Home Collection™, featuring many of the professional organizer-approved products we use with our clients, along with practical organizing ideas for every area of the home.

Whether you're looking for simple, budget-friendly solutions or premium organizing products, the collection is designed to help you choose products that support your lifestyle—not just fill your shelves.

Browse Our Simple Living Home Collection™

Visit Our Amazon Storefront

We provide hands-on moving support services in Calgary, including decluttering before a move, packing, unpacking, and home setup. Our goal is to help make your move feel more organized, less stressful, and easier to manage from start to finish.

No. We do not provide moving trucks or transportation services. Our role is to support the planning, preparation, packing, unpacking, and organizing side of the move. Movers can be hired separately.

Yes. We can help you sort, edit, and reduce belongings before packing begins so you only move what you truly want and need. This often saves time, reduces packing volume, and makes unpacking easier in your new home.

Yes. We help pack household items in a thoughtful, organized way, with clear labeling to make unpacking smoother later. We can also help prioritize essentials and prepare your home for move day.

Yes. We help unpack boxes, organize items into designated spaces, and set up priority areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and entryways so your new home feels functional sooner.

The amount of time depends on the size of your home, the amount of decluttering required, the number of rooms being packed or unpacked, and how much hands-on support you want. After your consultation, we can recommend the most suitable package or provide a custom quote.

Packing materials may be supplied by the client or coordinated by Organize My Space Calgary, depending on the project. Supply costs, specialty materials, and related shopping or delivery time may be billed separately unless otherwise included in your package or quote.

The first step is to book a consultation. We will learn more about your move, discuss your priorities, and recommend the best next step so you can move forward with clarity and support.