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!
Select Page
The Complete Laundry & Cleaning Organization Guide
For over a decade, DDH (Done & Done Home) has been transforming homes across the country, starting with New Yorkers in the tri-state area and now helping families nationwide create functional and organized spaces. Founded in 2011 by mother-daughter duo Ann Lightfoot and Kate Pawlowski, DDH has grown from a passion project into a multi-million dollar business, specializing in turning chaotic utility areas into streamlined, efficient spaces.
Whether you’re dealing with a dedicated laundry room or a compact closet setup, this guide provides the tools and techniques our professional organizers have refined through years of transforming utility spaces just like yours.
Common Organization Challenges
Laundry rooms and cleaning supply areas often present unique, recurring problems for busy households, especially when multiple people and needs are involved. Here are some of the most common challenges that make these essential spaces hard to keep organized:
Multi-Family Struggles
For many households, the demands of multiple people with different schedules and laundry needs can quickly overwhelm even the most well-intentioned organizational systems.
Different family schedules create unpredictable laundry needs
Varied clothing care requirements from delicates to heavily soiled items
Cleaning product overload with specialized cleaners for every surface
Limited space that must serve multiple functions efficiently
Frequent Pain Points
Beyond family routines, daily frustrations often crop up in the form of scattered supplies, inefficient sorting, and a lack of practical storage solutions for cleaning equipment and laundry.
Cleaning supplies are scattered throughout the house
Laundry sorting systems that create bottlenecks
Wasted utility space due to poor storage solutions
Folded laundry sitting in baskets for days
Bulky cleaning equipment with no designated storage
The DDH Methodology for Utility Spaces
At DDH, we know that a lasting organization requires more than quick tidying up. Our proven five-step process provides a clear, practical path to transforming utility spaces, addressing clutter, workflow, and daily routines so your systems stay organized long term.
The Five-Step DDH Process
To create truly organized and efficient laundry and cleaning spaces, DDH follows a systematic five-step process, ensuring every aspect of your utility area supports your household’s daily routines and long-term needs.
Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment
We evaluate how your family actually uses these spaces, observing current workflows and identifying storage and efficiency pain points.
Step 2: Strategic Planning
We create a customized organization plan considering your family’s needs, available space, and existing appliances while designing optimal workflows.
Step 3: Systematic Decluttering
Using proven techniques, we help families part with outdated cleaning products, worn-out supplies, and items that no longer serve their utility space goals.
Step 4: Functional Organization
We organize remaining items with accessibility and efficiency in mind, creating designated homes that support your family’s actual routines.
Step 5: Maintenance Training
We teach families simple daily and weekly routines that keep utility spaces functional and prevent clutter from returning.
Space-Specific Solutions
Every utility space has unique challenges and opportunities. Use these targeted solutions to make each space more functional and efficient.
Dedicated Laundry Room Organization
Focus Area
Strategy
Sorting System
Pre-Sort Bins: Individual bins for lights, darks, delicates, and heavily soiled itemsFamily Member Sorting: Designated baskets for each family member’s clean laundry
Folding Station
Counter Space: Clear counter space specifically for foldingImmediate Storage: Shelving above the folding area for immediate sorting
Supply Storage
Detergent Station: Designated area for all laundry detergents and additivesCleaning Supply Zone: High shelving for cleaning products used elsewhere
Compact Closet Utility Spaces
Focus Area
Strategy
Vertical Maximization
Over-Door Storage: Door space for frequently used cleaning suppliesStackable Systems: Stackable storage containers to maximize vertical space
Multi-Purpose Solutions
Rolling Carts: Mobile storage that can be moved as neededHanging Storage: Wall-mounted supply holders for tools and supplies
Multi-Purpose Utility Areas
Focus Area
Strategy
Zone Creation
Cleaning Zone: Designated area for all cleaning supplies and /equipmentLaundry Zone: Separate area for laundry supplies and processes
Storage Integration
Shared Systems: Storage solutions that serve multiple purposes efficientlyAccess Prioritization: Most frequently used items at eye level
Organizing Cleaning Supplies Effectively
An organized cleaning supply system saves time and makes every household task easier. By storing supplies according to how often you use them, and grouping them by category, you’ll always know what you have on hand and can grab what you need without searching.
Here’s how to set up a cleaning storage system that’s efficient, practical, and easy to maintain:
Frequency-Based Storage Strategy
Daily Use Items (Eye Level, Easy Access)
All-purpose cleaner, paper towels, dish soap, laundry detergent
Deep cleaning supplies, seasonal products, specialty equipment
Category-Based Organization
Group supplies are organized by use area, including kitchen cleaners, bathroom supplies, floor care products, and general household cleaners. Store related items together with the most frequently used products in the most accessible locations.
Creating Efficient Laundry Systems
A smooth-running laundry routine starts with efficient sorting and clear workflow steps. By setting up simple systems for separating, processing, folding, and returning laundry, you can eliminate bottlenecks and keep clothes moving effortlessly from start to finish. Here’s how to make laundry day easier for everyone in the household.
Sorting Systems That Work
Pre-Sorting Strategy
Individual family member laundry baskets in bedrooms
Sorting bins in the laundry room for different wash types
Special handling bin for delicates and dry-clean items
Workflow Optimization
Design your process to minimize handling:
Collection: Efficient gathering from individual sorting points
Processing: Streamlined washing and drying workflow
Folding: Immediate folding with designated folding space
Distribution: Quick return system to individual storage areas
Maintenance Systems That Actually Work
Keeping your utility spaces organized requires consistent but simple maintenance routines. Here are the habits that make organization last:
Frequency
Focus Area
Tasks & Actions
Daily: The 5-Minute Reset
End-of-Day Routine
• Return cleaning supplies to designated homes after use• Clear folding surfaces of remaining items• Start any loads that are ready to go• Quick check that sorting systems are being used properly
Weekly: Maintenance Tasks
Supply Inventory
• Check cleaning supply levels and add to shopping list• Ensure all cleaning tools are clean and in good repair• Address clutter accumulation before it becomes overwhelming
Monthly: Deep Organization
Keeping Up Routines
• Clean and organize storage containers and shelving• Evaluate cleaning supply effectiveness and replace as needed• Make adjustments to improve efficiency based on usage patterns
When To Consider A Professional Organizer
While many families can improve their utility organization independently, consider professional assistance when:
Current systems consistently break down despite multiple attempts
The scope of reorganization feels overwhelming
Family members have conflicting organization ideas
Physical limitations make implementing solutions difficult
Professional organizers provide objective assessments, space-maximizing expertise, efficient implementation, and training in long-term maintenance systems.
Transform Your Home with DDH
Organizing laundry and cleaning spaces effectively requires understanding both your family’s unique routines and proven organizational principles. DDH (Done & Done Home) has spent over a decade helping families transform their utility spaces into functional, efficient areas that support smooth household operations.
The difference between temporary organization and lasting systems lies in creating workflows that support how your family actually lives while remaining simple enough for consistent use. When utility spaces work correctly, they become the backbone of household maintenance—making necessary tasks efficient rather than stressful.
Ready to transform your laundry room and cleaning supply storage into organized, functional spaces? Contact DDH (Done & Done Home) today for a complimentary consultation to explore how our proven methodology can address the unique utility space challenges of your home.
