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!
Feeling overwhelmed by clutter that’s accumulated over months or years? You’re not alone.
Americans spend 2.5 days annually searching for misplaced items, and collectively spend $2.7 billion replacing things they can’t find in their cluttered homes.
The good news: a systematic decluttering plan can transform your space and your peace of mind in just a few focused sessions.
This guide will provide you with proven strategies used by professional organizers to help you reclaim your home efficiently and permanently, broken down into easy to follow steps.
Not sure where to start or which decluttering method will actually work for your situation? This quick-reference guide helps you match your goals and your time and energy level with the best approach so you can stop guessing and start making real progress.
Situation
Best Approach
Where to Start
DIY or Pro?
Key Tips
You have limited time each week
Room-by-room
Kitchen or living room for quick wins
DIY for small spaces, pro team for whole-home
Schedule 1-2 hour sessions, finish one room before moving on
You want a total reset
Category method
Clothing, then paper
DIY if you can block full days, pro team for efficiency
Gather all items in one category before deciding
You’re easily overwhelmed
Hybrid method
Easy wins (bathroom, entryway), then categories
DIY with a friend, or hire a pro for hardest areas
Limit yourself to 1 category or room per day
You have a looming deadline (move, listing home)
Room-by-room with triage focus
High-visibility areas
Professional team
Donate/remove items within 48 hours
You’re mostly organized but want to fine-tune
Maintenance declutter
Problem drawers, paper piles
DIY
Apply “one in, one out” rule and set quarterly check-ins
Step 1: Choose Your Decluttering Method
Before diving in, it’s important to choose a strategy that fits your schedule and goals. The right approach will keep you motivated and ensure you see meaningful results.
The Room-by-Room Approach
This approach focuses completely on one room at a time before moving to the next. It begins with high-traffic areas, such as the kitchen or living room, to create the greatest daily impact.
Best for:
Busy families, those with limited time blocks, or people who want to see immediate progress in specific spaces.
Pros:
Less overwhelming, contained progress, flexible scheduling
Cons:
May miss duplicate items stored in multiple rooms
The Category Method
The category approach works by gathering all items of one type (clothes, books, papers, etc.) from throughout the house. Sort everything at once, keeping only what serves your current life.
Best for:
People with time for intensive sessions, those who want a complete reset, or anyone struggling with decision-making.
Pros:
Prevents shuffling clutter between rooms, builds decision-making skills
Cons:
Requires larger time blocks, can feel overwhelming initially
The Hybrid Approach
A hybrid approach is recommended for most homes. Start with the category method for clothes and papers (easiest to gather completely), then switch to room-by-room for spaces like kitchens and garages where functional organization matters more.
Step 2: Plan Your Timeline and Gather Supplies
A successful decluttering project isn’t just about what you do, but also how you prepare. Setting a realistic timeline keeps you from burning out, while having the right supplies on hand ensures you can sort, purge, and organize without interruptions. Taking a little time to plan now will make the process smoother and far more effective.
Realistic Time Expectations
Most people underestimate decluttering time by 50%. A cluttered bedroom that looks like a “2-hour job” typically takes 4-5 hours when done thoroughly. Plan accordingly and don’t rush quality decisions to prevent clutter from returning.
Professional insight: Teams of two organizers can complete in one day what takes an individual three days. If tackling your entire home alone, expect 40-60 hours total for a thorough declutter.
Purchase Essential Supplies
Before you begin, gather the essential tools you’ll need so you can work efficiently without stopping to hunt for boxes, bags, or cleaning supplies.
Essentials Shopping List
Sorting containers: 4-6 laundry baskets or boxes Trash bags: Heavy-duty black bags for discards Labels and markers: For clear organizationCleaning supplies: All-purpose cleaner and cloths
Step 3: Execute Room-by-Room Priorities
Tackling one space at a time keeps the process manageable and ensures you see progress quickly. Use these priority lists to focus on the highest-impact tasks in each room so you can create order and function without getting sidetracked.
Room
Priorities
Kitchen
Priority 1: Food safety – Remove expired items from fridge, freezer, and pantry Priority 2: Clear countertops – Remove everything except daily-use appliances Priority 3: Declutter cabinets – Keep one of each tool type, donate duplicates
Bedrooms
Priority 1: Closet audit – Remove clothes unworn in 12+ months Priority 2: Dresser organization – Keep only current season items accessible Priority 3: Under-bed storage – Pull everything out and sort
Bathrooms
Priority 1: Medicine cabinet – Safely dispose of expired medications Priority 2: Cosmetics purge – Toss products older than recommended shelf life Priority 3: Linen reduction – Keep 2 towel sets per person maximum
Home Office
Priority 1: Sort paper stacks – File, shred, or recycle immediately Priority 2: Digital transition – Scan important documents, opt for e-statementsPriority 3: Supply organization – Keep only working pens and current reference materials
Garage/Basement
Priority 1: Safety clearing – Remove tripping hazards and create walkways Priority 2: Category grouping – Collect tools, sports gear, holiday items together Priority 3: Vertical storage – Install hooks and shelves to maximize floor space
Step 4: Avoid Common Pitfalls
Even the most motivated decluttering efforts can stall if you fall into certain traps. By knowing the most common mistakes ahead of time and how to avoid them, you’ll reduce frustration and keep your momentum going from start to finish.
Mistake #1: Trying to Do Everything at Once
The problem: Pulling everything out of every room creates an overwhelming mess that’s worse than where you started. The solution: Limit yourself to one room or category per session. Finish completely before moving on.
Mistake #2: Organizing Before Decluttering
The problem: Buying storage containers for items you should eliminate wastes money and just rearranges clutter. The solution: Always purge first, then organize what remains. You may need far less storage than expected.
Mistake #3: Keeping “Just in Case” Items
The problem: Holding onto items for hypothetical future needs prevents you from enjoying your space now. The solution: Apply the one-year rule – if you haven’t used it in 12 months and can replace it for under $20, let it go.
Mistake #4: Failing to Remove Items from Home
The problem: Donation bags sitting in the garage for months create new clutter piles. The solution: Schedule donation pickup or drop-off before you start. Remove items within 48 hours of sorting.
Step 5: Create Lasting Systems
Keeping your home clutter-free takes ongoing effort. These simple habits and routines make it easier to stay organized all year round.
The “One In, One Out” Rule
For every new item entering your home, remove one similar item. This prevents accumulation and maintains your decluttered spaces.
Spring: Deep closet cleanout and garage organizationSummer: Outdoor gear and sports equipment auditFall: Kitchen and dining preparation for holidaysWinter: Paper organization and digital file cleanup
Make Organization Simple & Stress-Free
A successful home decluttering plan combines the right method for your situation, realistic time planning, and systems to maintain your results. Start with high-impact areas like the kitchen for immediate relief, then work systematically through your space using proven professional techniques.
Remember: Decluttering isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating a home that works for your current life. Focus on keeping items that add value and joy while letting go of excess that weighs you down.
Ready to transform your home but need expert guidance?
Professional organizers can complete in days what might take you weeks, handling the heavy lifting while you focus on decisions. Contact DDH (Done & Done Home) for a free consultation.
