Always on the move, Rachel grew up between Paris and San Francisco where she learned to recognize what matters and how to create cozy homes with what she had. She earned her master’s degree in interior design in Paris and spent over a decade crafting interiors blending purpose with style. For her next act, Rachel teamed up with her mother and for the next ten years, she opened and ran Le Garage in Brooklyn, turning a raw space into a functional and warm French restaurant filled with their love of food and shared story. Now married and based in New York, Rachel naturally gravitates toward harmony. She finds joy in the small details that bring ease to everyday life. A natural multitasker, she believes that peace lives in the little things. When your space works for you, life flows more freely! Rachel also volunteers at a homeless shelter (The Bowery Mission), bringing the same care and love to service. Her favorite escape: a book in hand, lying in the sun by the Mediterranean Sea.
Tara’s knack for transforming spaces began in childhood, moving frequently across the U.S. and Europe with her chemical engineer dad, stay at home mom and five sibilings. With each move, whether transitioning between large homes or cozy apartments, Tara was amazed by her mother’s ability to create organized and welcoming spaces in just a matter of days. Her mother’s mantra, “Pack one box and take only what you love,” instilled in Tara a profound appreciation for meaningful belongings and the art of decluttering. After earning a degree in history and fine arts from SMU, Tara’s journey led her from San Francisco to Boston and, finally, to New York, where she pursued a rewarding career in education. Known for her meticulously organized classrooms, Tara soon became the go-to person for helping colleagues revamp their spaces. With her three kids now in college, Tara is thrilled to focus on helping clients create welcoming, beautifully functional homes. In her downtime, she loves visiting her family around the globe with her husband and their spirited Labrador, Bear.
Sharon was born in the US and moved to France as a child, becoming fluent in French. After her formative years in Europe, her family settled in New Canaan, CT. Sharon attended Providence College and discovered her passion for marketing, leading to roles in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and the US.
After earning her MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Sharon and her husband, Tom, moved to New Canaan, CT where they raised their two children. She has organized her home, her children's rooms, dorms, and apartments. She has a unique talent for re-imagining spaces and witnessing the positive impact of these transformations. Even in her volunteer activities, Sharon brings her organizational skills to Planet New Canaan's Swap Shop, making it easy for customers to find what they need.
Professionally, Sharon has managed complex marketing campaigns and led projects requiring meticulous organization. From marketing plans to family vacations, there's not much that intimidates Sharon. Her diverse experiences and dedication make her a force in both her professional and personal life!
Ulrike was born & raised just outside Hamburg, Germany, in a small town where her father was a doctor and her mother commanded a household of six. Her parents both came from large families and her childhood was filled with visits to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In college, she studied History, French and Design from 1988-1992 at the University of Augsburg and the Fachhochschule Hildesheim where she received a Fulbright Scholarship for Design. From 1994-1996 Ulrike worked as Art Director at The Lacey Group, Minneapolis, MN and she worked as Art Director at Pluzynski & Associates, Inc. from 1997-1999.
After years of dealing with tight deadlines, she decided to focus on her 3 children full-time. Her husband’s career in the Museum World was blossoming and it was a true gift for her to be able to stay at home. Ulrike's oldest son finished college in May 2022, her middle son goes to "The New School" for Classical Music and her daughter is a Freshman in High School. Her passion is Real Estate Investments: She had the privilege of renovating/flipping small Real Estate Investment since arriving in NYC and she considers it a blessing even though it comes with its highs & lows.
Who knew that she would end up raising true New Yorkers, coming from a small town near Hamburg, Germany - all because of her wanderlust and staying open to the unexpected and to embrace the twists and turns along the road.
I started my career as a style editor at Condé Nast, and moved on to be President of a gallery and photo studio in Chelsea.
Most recently, I’ve collaborated with my partner in real estate development and design. We’ve worked on townhouses in Brooklyn, a farm in upstate New York, and multiple beach homes in New Jersey.
As much as I love to work outside the home, the most rewarding and challenging aspect of my life is raising my four children. They’ve patiently moved with us on many projects and tolerated living in multiple construction sites!
I’m thrilled to be part of the Done & Done and to watch the company grow and prosper!
The living room is my favorite space because we have an open floor plan that overlooks Brooklyn Bridge Park and the NYC Bridges. It’s the perfect room to entertain family and friends because while I’m cooking, we can all hang out together and enjoy the view.
People might have guessed that Stephanie would eventually become an organizer. In high school, she kept a record of every outfit that she wore on a piece of paper in her closet! Fast forward several years to when Stephanie met her husband Dan – set up by their respective Croatian families. Six homes, three children + one dog later, Stephanie lives in Connecticut with her husband and their three children. Stephanie keeps busy organizing their two college boys and high school daughter. When not working, she enjoys swimming, rowing, biking, gardening and volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the New Canaan Garden Club, the Congregational Church of New Canaan and Waveny Care Center. Stephanie is very thankful for team members Lise and Louise for helping to bring her on board!
As a young girl growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, OH Judy would marvel at her grandmother, who every time she visited, would clean out and reorganize her parent’s refrigerator. She inherited the organizing gene and enjoyed cleaning out and reorganizing her bedroom in between school terms. Much to the delight of friends and family she has carried on the tradition of her grandmother by leaving them with the gift of a reorganized linen closet or pantry after her stay.
Judy graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH with a B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in Political Science and History. She immediately moved to Washington, DC where she lived for several years before moving to NYC with her husband. She had a career in politics and marketing before becoming a stay at home mom after the birth of their triplets. Over the years she has worked as a small business consultant and fundraiser at her children’s schools.
Judy enjoys working with clients in finding homes for their special things and helping them realize a more organized home. She is looking forward to transforming her own family apartment into a adult family living space now that her children are college bound. Judy lives in Prospect Heights Brooklyn and near Hudson, NY with her husband.
Born and raised in Montreal, Gail embodies the character traits of a true Canadian, nice, helpful, with a sense of humor. As a young girl, Gail would organize her grandmother’s dresser drawers during visits to her apartment. Gail loved their interactions as she worked. Making improvements to someone’s space and listening to the stories of their life proved to be a meaningful experience.
Many years later, Gail chose to study Architecture and got her degree at McGill University. In New York, Gail learned the ropes working for an Architect, designing and project managing high-end residential projects in Manhattan.
Gail delights in collaborating with others to re-imagine a space and then witness the impact of the transformation on someone’s life. She brings her architectural skills of space-planning and visioning, and her enjoyment of brainstorming with clients and a team, to her work with Done and Done. Gail currently volunteers at the Brooklyn Public Library, assisting the Curator of Visual Art Programming on rotating exhibition projects. She lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with her husband, also an architectural designer, and daughter, who is almost off to college. There is always an improvement project to work on at home.
Jeanne was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri but also frequently visited her dad and new family in Northern California. All that traveling for parental visits had its many perks, as Jeanne quickly learned how to master the art of packing the essentials into a suitcase and make a nest fit for any bird.
Jeanne earned her BFA from Syracuse University and later moved to NYC where she worked for artist Kris Ruhs making jewelry for Bergdorff Goodman, Corso Como 10 and private clients. She also started her own accessories business making eye-glass chains which sold in Henri Bendel’s, Robert Marc Opticians in NYC and Rodeo Drive in LA.
Jeanne attended the School of Visual Arts post baccalaureate in Art education and went on to teach art to children ranging from preschoolers to 8th graders until she married her husband Fred. Jeanne has extensive experience with all aspects of the home, from purchasing, selling, designing and renovating. She has designed and renovated many projects in her own home while also helping friends declutter, organize, and make decorating decisions. Jeanne also had a 12 year real estate venture in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It also doesn’t hurt that according to astrology, her birth chart has 6 houses in Virgo, making her exceedingly detail oriented!
Originally from the South and educated in the Midwest, Louise moved to New York after college. With a can-do attitude and lots of energy, she worked in sales for clothing manufacturers selling to everyone from major department stores to golf pro shops. Eventually Louise left the city for Connecticut and raised/managed/organized four children, one husband, countless pets, moves and renovations. These days she still volunteers in town (Meals on Wheels, National Charity League and the New Canaan Garden Club) but has found as her children have grown, she has much more free time. Louise is now thrilled to be able to bring her organizational and management skills, positive attitude and high energy to work at Done and Done.
Born and raised in Denmark, Lise came to the United States for a six month visit in the 1980s in order to improve her English. She met the man who would become her husband within two months of arriving and lucky for Done and Done, she stayed. After graduating from UConn with a degree in Design and Resource Management with minors in Psychology and French, she eventually settled in New Canaan where she raised her two children. After years of homemaking and extensive volunteer work (Red Cross, National Charity League, Girl Scouts and NC Garden Club) Lise’s friend, Macky Hennessy, suggested she reach out to Ann and Kate and bring her organizing talents to Done and Done. Lise did her training hours in record time and very quickly became an invaluable member of the team.
Macky Henesey was born and raised in Seal Beach, California. She grew up playing competitive tennis, swimming, running and was a recruited field hockey player at UC Davis. When the beaches beckoned she returned to southern California to graduate with a degree in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach. She then ventured east to begin a career in public relations and advertising in Washington, DC. She met her husband Mike there and they moved shortly thereafter to New Canaan, CT where they’ve lived and raised their three children over the last 25 years. Macky has organized her home, her three kids rooms (repeatedly!), countless dorm rooms and parts of many friend’s homes. Macky has volunteered extensively and her work has spanned from the New Canaan Garden Club to the Waveny Care Center to National Charity League. Professionally she’s taken on the reorganization of a filing system in a law firm’s Westchester County office. Having organized everything from lace to lawsuits there’s not much that intimidates this one!
We didn’t have to search far when we were looking for someone to start up our marketing department. Meg Koett comes to us by way of family; sister to Ann and aunt to Kate, her hire was a no-brainer. We needed someone who knew us well enough to represent our brand and who better than a woman who has literally been there since day one?
Meg is a graduate of Ripon College, but decided early on to work from home while raising her two children. The co-founder of Jam Custom Handbags, Meg learned how to work with clients, how to advertise a brand and how to sell products online. After a successful run of five years, Jam closed their doors and Meg was available to put her knowledge to work for Done & Done.
Favorite space: My favorite space in my home is my exercise room. It’s very small but it has a ton of natural light so I always feel better after spending some time in there working out and getting my thoughts together!
Emilie Barrientos is a born and bred New Yorker. With close ties to the Eastern end of Long Island, Emilie has an appreciation for both city and country living. With an early love for organizing in her closet-sized NYC bedroom, Emilie never tires of the satisfaction of decluttering one's life, both physically and metaphorically. Emilie received her Bachelor's degree from Connecticut College where she pursued her love of dance. This took her to lead the marketing department at Dance Magazine prior to joining the Done & Done Team. Though Emilie needs only one winter coat and one set of pans, she values the importance of those sentimental silk scarves from grandparents and those gosh darn hand written letters. Emilie lives in Manhattan with her husband and their dog Max, and is poised to continue to delve deeper into the power of human connection and building community.
With a background in event management and hospitality, Lauren recently transitioned from planning and executing corporate meetings and special events to professional home organization. Lauren uses her trademark skills of problem solving, creativity, and flexibility to help Done & Done clients. She excels at logistics and operations, and her attention to detail means that projects go smoothly from concept to completion.
Good at wearing multiple hats, Lauren is adept at responding quickly to changing circumstances, always maintaining an upbeat, can-do attitude. As the Client Experience Manager, she specializes in customer service that nurtures positive, productive relationships with both clients and suppliers.
With a degree in Art History, Lauren has also had the opportunity to work onsite at various cultural institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Pafa).
Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and a certificate in meeting planning from Temple University. Lauren, her husband and her two young daughters recently moved and she is excited to renovate, decorate and apply what she is learning at Done & Done to create a more organized home.
Meri was born and raised in New Jersey. After graduating from Lafayette College with a BA in English Literature, Meri began her career working in ad sales in New York City. She then ventured to the West Coast to explore all that San Francisco had to offer. Meri built her career in the Bay Area and spent over 12 years working for a large tech company in advertising sales, business operations, and client services, where she also met her husband Darby. After many years in San Francisco, they purchased their first home in Oakland which is when Meri realized her passion for home interiors and her desire to create functional and beautiful spaces. As their family grew, she tackled many remodels and design projects in their 1920’s East Bay home. When Meri and her husband decided to move back East to be closer to family, Meri de-cluttered, packed and staged their home which expedited the sale and increased the value. She is currently (and slowly) remodeling their NJ home one room at a time.
Meri has always enjoyed helping friends and family problem solve, organize and brainstorm ideas, and brings to Done & Done her expertise of project management, attention to detail and love of organization!
A well-organized bedroom transforms more than just your space; it improves your sleep quality, streamlines your daily routines, and creates the peaceful sanctuary you deserve. With over a decade of experience organizing bedrooms across the tri-state area, Done & Done Home has perfected systems that work for every lifestyle, from busy families to luxury homeowners.
This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step strategies to organize every element of your bedroom, creating functional systems that maintain themselves over time.
Before diving into specific storage solutions, understanding these core principles ensures your organization’s efforts create lasting results rather than temporary fixes.
The 80/20 Rule in Action
You likely wear 20% of your clothing 80% of the time. This principle guides every organizational decision, ensuring that your most frequently used items occupy the most accessible locations while seasonal pieces are stored in secondary areas.
Zones Create Efficiency
Effective bedroom organization divides the space into functional zones: sleeping, dressing, storage, and relaxation areas. Each zone serves a specific purpose and contains only items related to that function.
Visual Calm Promotes Better Sleep
Research shows that cluttered environments increase cortisol levels, which directly impact sleep quality. Organized bedrooms with transparent surfaces and contained storage create the visual calm necessary for restorative rest.
Closet Organization Systems That Work
Your closet should function as a curated boutique where every item has a designated place and finding what you need takes seconds, not minutes.
Strategic Clothing Placement
Transform chaos into calm: a well-designed closet system ensures everything you own is visible, accessible, and stored with intention, making daily dressing effortless.
Primary Hanging Zone (Eye Level)
Current season work clothes and frequently worn itemsDresses, blazers, and wrinkle-prone fabricsItems you reach for weekly or more often
Secondary Storage Areas
Upper shelving: Out-of-season clothing and special occasion wearLower shelving and drawers: Folded items like t-shirts, sweaters, and casual wearFloor level: Daily shoes with weekly shoes at eye level
Seasonal Rotation Strategy
Quarterly Clothing Transitions
Season
Focus Items
Storage Method
Spring/Summer
Light layers, dresses, shorts
Heavy items in vacuum-sealed bags
Fall/Winter
Sweaters, coats, boots
Summer clothes in breathable cotton bags
This rotation ensures your closet contains only current-season appropriate items while preserving off-season clothing in optimal conditions.
Accessories Organization
Accessories deserve the same thoughtful organization as your clothes, with smart storage solutions to keep jewelry, shoes, and handbags safe and ready for use at a moment’s notice.
Daily jewelry: Compartmentalized top drawer with felt lining
Shoes: Open shelving for daily pairs, clear boxes for occasional wear
Belts and scarves: Hooks or rolling method in shallow drawers
Handbags: Shelf storage with dust bags to maintain quality
Dresser and Nightstand Optimization
Transform these pieces from catch-all surfaces into efficient storage and getting-ready stations.
Dresser Drawer Strategy
A strategic dresser setup turns drawers into streamlined zones so every essential, from socks to sweaters, is right where you need it and easy to find.
Top Drawer: Daily Essentials
Undergarments, socks, and daily jewelry in compartmented organizers create morning efficiency.
Middle Drawers: Clothing Categories
One category per drawer (t-shirts, pants, pajamas) using the folding method maximizes visibility and capacity.
Bottom Drawer: Bulky Items
Sweaters, seasonal clothing, and extra linens are stored flat to prevent wrinkles.
The Three-Item Rule for Surfaces
Dresser and nightstand tops should contain no more than three categories:
Daily necessities: Lamp, clock, or charging station
Personal items: One decorative piece or family photo
Functional storage: Small tray for daily jewelry or keys
Nightstand Essentials
A thoughtfully organized nightstand keeps every bedtime essential close at hand, creating a restful, clutter-free space to wind down and recharge.
Top Drawer: Sleep Support
Reading glasses, sleep masks, essential oils, and bedtime medications within arm’s reach.
Bottom Drawer: Backup Items
Extra chargers, tissues, hand lotion, and personal care items for nighttime routines.
Cord Management
Use adhesive organizers inside drawers and consider wireless charging pads to eliminate clutter.
Room-Specific Organization Approaches
Different bedroom types require tailored strategies to maximize functionality while addressing unique challenges.
Master Bedroom Solutions
Couples’ closet sharing focuses on creating harmony and efficiency in a shared space. Here are some easy ways to find balance in your shared closet:
Divide the space proportionally based on the actual clothing volume
Create separate laundry hampers to prevent mix-ups
Establish individual daily outfit preparation areas
Weekly maintenance schedule with alternating responsibilities
Children’s Bedroom Systems
Organizing children’s bedrooms works best when systems are tailored to their age and developmental stage.
Age-Appropriate Organization
Ages 3-6: Visual Systems
Picture labels on all containers and drawersLow-height storage for independent accessColor-coded organization (blue for toys, red for clothes)Simple, one-step storage processes
Ages 7-12: Building Responsibility
Morning and evening routine checklistsDesignated homework areasIndependent dressing support systemsWeekly room organization responsibilities
Ages 13+: Personal Independence
Teen-chosen organizational systemsPrivate storage areasStudy spaces optimized for concentrationLaundry and clothing care independence
Small Bedroom Maximization
Vertical Space Solutions
Wall-mounted shelving above beds for books and display items
Over-door organizers for shoes and accessories
High-mounted hooks for bags and frequently used items
Multi-Functional Furniture
Ottoman storage for extra bedding
Bed frames with built-in drawers
Nightstands with multiple storage levels
Mirrors to maximize light and create a space illusion
Sustainable Maintenance Systems
A professional organization requires regular maintenance to prevent system breakdown and accommodate changing needs.
Daily Habits (5 minutes)
Morning Routine
Make the bed immediately upon wakingReturn pajamas to the designated locationClear nightstand surfacesEnsure proper air circulation
Evening Routine
Place worn clothing in the hamper or return clean items to the closetsSet out next day’s clothingClear all surfaces for a restful environment
Weekly Organization (30 minutes)
Sunday Reset Process
Complete closet review and weekly outfit planningDeclutter accumulated itemsDust surfaces and vacuum floorsAssess systems and make minor adjustments
Seasonal Deep Organization (2-3 hours quarterly)
Comprehensive Review
Complete clothing rotation and storage reorganizationDeep clean all storage areasAssess system effectiveness and make improvementsDeclutter items no longer needed
Your Implementation Action Plan
Systematic implementation prevents overwhelm while creating lasting results.
Assessment Phase
Check the current state of your space:
Photograph the bedroom from multiple angles
List all storage areas and current contents
Identify the most frustrating organizational challenges
Determine available time and budget
Priority-Based Implementation
A priority-based approach breaks the process into manageable steps, ensuring your organization systems are set up efficiently, integrated into daily life, and refined for lasting results.
Week 1: Foundation
Declutter items that no longer serve your lifestyle, clean all storage areas, and acquire necessary organizational supplies.
Week 2: Primary Systems
Organize closet and daily clothing storage, set up dresser and nightstand systems, and implement daily maintenance routines.
Week 3: Integration
Complete under-bed and seasonal storage, train family members on systems, and test functionality for one full week.
Week 4: Refinement
Make necessary adjustments based on real-world use and establish ongoing maintenance schedules.
Transform Your Sleep Sanctuary
An organized bedroom creates a foundation for better sleep, reduced daily stress, and improved overall well-being. The systems outlined in this guide provide a framework for transformation, but success lies in consistent implementation and regular maintenance.
Every home presents unique organizational challenges. The key is selecting systems that align with your lifestyle and maintaining them through consistent daily habits and periodic reviews.
Ready to transform your bedroom into the organized, peaceful retreat you deserve? DDH (Done & Done Home’s)expert team specializes in creating bedroom organization systems that work for your lifestyle and maintain themselves over time. Schedule your free consultation today to discover how a professional organization can improve your daily routines and sleep quality.
