"Boundaries" is a word that is pretty hot right now--but it's not just a buzzword, and it's a concept that organizers really need to get comfortable with in their work. My guest today, Melissa Gugni, a pro organizer in the Bay Area, runs several businesses, and has become really good at knowing what works and what doesn't as an entrepreneur, and she is helping us think about the concept of boundaries in our business.

Ever heard the saying, “You don’t have to be tidy to be organized”? Join us as we explore how being organized isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding systems that work for YOU! Get ready to declutter your life, find your unique path to organization, and conquer the social media perfection trap. Plus, discover the true essence of self-care in the process.

Friends, let’s all make the holidays, especially entertaining, a little easier this year. Melissa Gugni is a San Francisco Bay Area professional organizer who helps clients feel a sense of calm and order at home. She’s also the co-owner of Union Larder, an award-winning wine bar, and Little Vine, a wine and cheese shop. With that, today she is combining her knowledge of catering with her organizational skills to show us how to reduce stress and enjoy the process of hosting a party.

t's only right that a successful footballer like David has a closet full of luxury threads and designer labels, but we were more impressed with the level of organization than any showy garments. Lines of beautifully arranged shirts span his rails, seriously satisfying underwear drawers are arranged by color, and his outfits for the week hang from a separate forward-planned clothes rail. It's the stuff of professional organizers' dreams.

“I encourage my clients to put all of those unused bins and baskets in one space, creating a little ‘Container Store’ in their own home,” Gugni says. “There’s no shame in having a collection. Even the best of us have chosen an organizing solution that works great until it doesn’t.” So rather than buy new the next time you feel the urge to declutter, why not create an organization center?

“I have worked with 100s of people, organizing their stuff, but also the stuff behind their stuff. When a person’s physical surroundings are overwhelming them, something needs to change. That is where I come in. When you live in your space everyday, it is easy to become immune to what is going on.”

Melissa Gugni, a professional organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area, recalls that she and her husband lived in limbo during a kitchen renovation in their two-bedroom, one-bath apartment. The refrigerator was in her office, while the only running water was in the bathroom. And the constant cloud of dust was miserable for her allergies. “I decided that to live in that chaos for four months, I needed one room that was as calm and clean as possible,” she says. So she and her husband set aside their bedroom as the safe space.

Professional organizers can map out a process and timeline while keeping things moving. “It can be helpful to have an objective outsider around when things start to get stuck,” says Melissa Gugni, a San Francisco-based professional organizer who works with retirees and seniors. “I also encourage getting help for the smaller bumps, like hiring haulers for a couple of hours to move heavy things around or trash out, or finding resources for where to donate and recycle things.”

'The best room to start decluttering is where two things converge: the area that is causing you the most stress and the place that you live in the most,' says pro organizer Melissa Gugni. 'The attic or a tucked away closet might be messy and nagging you but if the kitchen, entryway, or primary bathroom is too - go there first! Not only is it higher impact but I love for folks to get the most bang for their buck when they embark on organizing in order to start some good momentum.'

“I recommend scanning 10 items and making note of how long it took,” advises Melissa Gugni, a professional organizer and owner of Melissa Gugni Organizing in the San Francisco Bay Area. Her firm helps clients organize, declutter, create systems and style their home, office or business. “Do some quick math to estimate how long your project will take.”Don’t feel that you need to include everything just because it’s in the box. Be discerning. Remove duplicates, blurry photos, photos that have people in them that you can’t recognize and, most importantly, boring photos.”

'"Analysis paralysis" is real, and I find that having too many options or things can make it so much harder to decide to keep or throw away,' Melissa adds. 'I encourage my clients to imagine a life where they are surrounded only by the things that they like and use, and then I try to get them there.'

If you want a more minimalistic interior design style, the 20/20 rule is especially useful in helping you get rid of stuff. 'This is because the rule tends to go along with the spirit of trying to do more with less,' says Melissa Gugni, owner of Melissa Gugni Organizing. 'I actually find it a fun challenge when I realize that I have gotten rid of something that I ended up needing and figured out a substitute that worked even better!'

When it comes to returning items to your countertop, think about whether it's worth doing so or if you're simply fuelling the clutter. 'Carefully consider each item and if it should have a prime place on the counter or if it should be relegated to a cupboard or drawer,' says organizer Melissa Gugni. 'Traditionally a toaster goes on top, but if you don't use it daily it should be stored below.'

'For the things that haven't worn, ask yourself, why, adds professional organizer and declutterer Melissa Gugni (opens in new tab). 'Perhaps it is as simple as a dress that needs cleaning or a shirt with a missing button. Use this information to get things repaired.' If the clothes no longer fit or aren't something you'd choose to wear anymore, then you can wave goodbye with no regrets.

Whether in the kitchen, the garage, or a home office, a pegboard can keep your items tidy while also serving as a design moment. Melissa Gugni, a professional organizer in the San Francisco Bay Area, likens pegboards to the “little black dress” of organization because they can be dressed up or down, depending on your storage needs. “I’ve used them in grimy garages and stylish offices, kids rooms, and closets,” she explains.

Of course, if you're blessed with a large, walk-in closet, the most simple option is to use the available shelving to store your shoes instead. 'I love to store the beautiful, fancy shoes on shelves in the clothes closet - it makes me feel like I am in a boutique!' Melissa says. 'The everyday shoes need an easy-to-access home, but if there are a lot of shoes, I encourage being discerning about which gets the prime spots.' If you want to keep your shelves clean and tidy, clear plastic shoe boxes like these ones from Amazon are a good choice.

Pro Organizer Melissa Gugni asked, "Is there anyone who couldn't benefit from one of these carts?” They’re made from metal (in your choice of three colors) and have three tiers with a push handle, so they’re extremely versatile. “I have used them for everything from kids' art supplies, extra storage in the pantry, tool storage, and even as a plant stand,” Gugni wrote. “Because they have wheels, they are perfect for collecting supplies for easy clean up (and can be rolled into a closet when guests arrive).

There is likely a stack of books or clothes you have every intention of donating, but haven’t found the time. Professional organizer Melissa Gugni recommends “taking bags that have been accumulating items for donation out of your hall, garage, or trunk to a place that accepts them. So many of my clients have had these bags hanging around for so long they start to look like they are part of the home’s foundation.”

'First, I like to ask my clients to take everything off of their countertops, and I mean everything,' says professional organizer Melissa Gugni. 'Then we will carefully consider each item and if it should have a prime place on the counter or if it should be relegated to a cupboard or drawer.' And while the counters are totally clear, it's a good chance to clean your kitchen and get in those corners that are usually less accessible. Unless you use them every day, consider storing appliances like your toaster, Instant Pot, or KitchenAid in a cabinet.

An afternoon spent decluttering before the start of the new term will help kids with the transition back to school, too. As organizer Melissa Gugni notes: 'The holidays are a great time to take an inventory of our things. Ask yourself and your kids, "Do those clothes fit? Do you still like that toy? Does that game have all of its pieces?"' If the answer is no, throw them out. You're bound to find that the first day back at school will be far smoother (and maybe the new stationery from Santa will come in handy!)

Pegboards are perfect, whether you are organizing a laundry room or organizing a craft room. We like metal ones, like the Skadis range from Ikea, but wooden pegboards look very attractive in more public areas of your home. ‘This modular wooden pegboard is where form and function come together,' says Melissa Gugni. 'So many folks are overwhelmed by their entryways/landing areas, and hanging one of these by the door for hanging bags, keys and other essentials can be a life changer. They come in two different colors, and I find that one works seamlessly with most home decor styles.”

A different approach is picking one item you no longer need and tossing it. For instance, Melissa Gugni, a professional organizer in San Francisco, has issued a New Year’s resolution for all of her clients: Get rid of all the paint cans accumulating in your home. “I find most homeowners don’t even know what the different paints were used for! They mainly have them because they don’t know what to do with the paint.”

“People fall into two categories - those who need to see everything or they forget what they have, and those who can remember the things that are out of sight. The SKOSTALL is ideal for the former since it can maximize space and still let one shoe be in eyeshot” says professional organizer Melissa Gugni.

'Unless you have an abundance of kitchen drawers, drawer spice racks are a waste of good space since they require you to lay spice jars on their sides,' says Melissa. When space is at a premium, instead of using large drawer dividers or free-standing organizers, try an over-the-door spice rack for your pantry or cabinets instead. Simple wire racks like these keep all your spices contained while also hiding them out of sight.