Quantcast
RELATED

Spending more time indoors has forced me to re-examine my home life, compelling me to create a space that is conducive to maximum peace and comfort, which also means a space that is aesthetically pleasing. One way to effectively advance towards my goal of ultimate serenity is living in a thoughtfully curated and organized clutter-free zone with everything having a proper place. Although a perfectly organized home looks as if it's only seen on TikTok or Pinterest, I'm finally ready to make it my everyday reality.


It can be difficult to take on home projects without feeling tired and overwhelmed by all of life's other responsibilities. When thinking of getting our homes in order, no matter your family size, tasks such as organizing can sound overwhelming and expensive, especially when working with limited space and a limited budget. In need of expert advice, I enlisted the help of LA-based professional organizer Charlotte Upshaw to jumpstart the process. Lending her expertise with projects large and small from LA-based brands to family home projects, Charlotte is known for her beautiful and masterful work when it comes to maximizing any space, perfect for individual and family needs.

Keep scrolling to check out our conversation for insight on how to get started on decluttering your home to live your best gratifying life.

Meet Charlotte Upshaw, "the Iverson of organizing."

Courtesy of Charlotte Upshaw

1. What's the first step when tackling a home organization project?

"At the beginning of a project, it's important to access what you have. The best way to do so is by pulling everything out of the space you want to organize, then do an honest edit of things you no longer need. Editing is very important here so that you're not re-cluttering your space all over again."

2. What about bathroom tips for women like myself with tons of makeup and hair products with limited drawers and cabinets? 

"When it comes to bathrooms, categorizing is important. I like to organize according to category and store it as such. I'm not big on crowding a sink with product. I suggest editing down to everyday essentials if anything. Stackable containers are great for bathrooms and allow you to get the best of your space under the sink."

3. Any closet hacks for those of us struggling to work with minimal storage space but want to maintain an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere? 

"I always tell clients that vertical space is important, so make sure you're using all of the height as well as width. Getting rid of original boxes is a huge help; bulkiness takes up much-needed space. A few of my favorite closet products that I always suggest for those with storage space are slim hangers (they come in various colors and textures), drop front shoe containers, and 's' hooks for purses and accessories. Another thing I do is use decorative bins that can function as both as storage and a cute piece of furniture."

4. For those that feel like a professional organizer would be too expensive, what are a few tips on organizing on a budget? 

"First, I want to clarify the misconception that professional organization services are expensive and unfeasible. It's a great investment because it's essentially a lifestyle elevation. However, when organizing on a budget, I suggest doing things in phases. Whether that's buying new hangers and getting rid of your old ones or tossing flimsy shoe boxes that are taking up too much space. The Container Store is actually not as expensive as people assume; their perks program is extremely rewarding. Your local Target is always a good resource for organizational and aesthetically pleasing things as well."

5. I have a hard time organizing overall but the amount of accessories I own such as jewelry and sunglasses are overwhelming. Any suggestions on storing these smaller items?

"I love an open acrylic tray for sunglasses and accessories. They can easily just lay flat, lined up and look great on a dresser."

6. Growing up, a junk drawer and utensil holder were the only two things organized in our kitchen, ultimately causing me to create the same bad habit. What are a few kitchen organization ideas I can adopt to break this cycle?

"Drawer organizers! Adjustable drawer organizers can be used for more than utensils. You can find them at Target, Amazon, etc. I also love incorporating clear fridge bins whenever I can to create the most refrigerator space."

7. You mentioned hiring a professional organizer is more affordable than people assume. For those that are now considering this new lifestyle elevation, what can they expect from an expert such as yourself vs. an everyday DIY project? 

"By hiring me you're paying for a specific creative execution. DIY is great for the short-term but I feel like everyone needs to have an organizer get their space to another level. DIY projects are time-consuming and the result sometimes doesn't meet the initial vision you may have had. Essentially, once I come in and create a system for you, I'm setting the tone and you just have to maintain it. It's absolutely worth holding off on that pair of shoes or bag you were going to cop and hiring an organizer instead."

For a more detailed home organization consultation, feel free to contact Charlotte on Instagram @CHELF.LIFE.

Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images

 

RELATED

 
ALSO ON XONECOLE
Melanie Fiona

Melanie Fiona is back! After taking a little more than a decade-long hiatus, she has officially made her return to music and blessed us with two singles, “Say Yes” and “I Choose You.” While both singles are very different from each other, they both reflect who she is today and the type of music she wants to make. In our conversation, the mom of two expressed what she learned during her time away.

“It's interesting, even when I said it is like coming back, I don't ever feel like I really left because I was always still performing. I've still been public. It's not like I went into being this recluse person or version of myself, but the thing that I really learned in this process is that I think things take time,” Melanie says in a xoNecole exclusive.

KEEP READINGShow less
Boris Kodjoe Knew Nicole Ari Parker Was 'The One'—Even When She Was Married To Someone Else

Nicole Ari Parker and Boris Kodjoe are the epitome of Black Hollywood love goals, blending romance, resilience, and partnership into a bond that has stood the test of time. From their serendipitous meeting on the set of Soul Food to nearly two decades of marriage, the couple's love story is one of mutual respect, unwavering support, and undeniable chemistry.

Boris opened up about their “meet-cute” while chatting with Jemele Hill on her podcast Jemele Unbothered. The Austrian-born German actor always knew it was Nicole for him. Boris told Jemele, “I knew she was my person, but she was still struggling a little bit because she was like, ‘Yeah, you know, he’s a model, blah, blah. He’s an actor, blah, blah.’ She was trying to tell herself I’m not the one, but I knew, I knew.”

KEEP READINGShow less
LATEST POSTS