Get Neat With Lisa: Organizing a New Home with Kids

“Plan your work, then work that plan. You can’t wander aimlessly through life and expect results.”

- Lisa

I couldn’t be more excited to share this blog about organizing a new home. I’ve been a huge fan of Get Neat with Lisa for years. In fact, I hired her to organize our master closet when we moved into our last house- and I still love the system we created together.

Lisa is a mom, grandmother (to nine!), and a total “neat freak” in the best way. Her passion for organizing started in childhood, and she officially launched her business in 2017. You may have even seen her product line on HSN!

I had the privilege of interviewing Lisa about how to create a beautiful, functional, and organized home- even with kids in the mix. Read on for all her expert tips!

When you walk into a brand-new home, where do you start?

I tell our clients it takes a good year to establish and completely set up a new home. Live there for a while before buying anything new, don’t rush to fill it with random things! I’d rather have blank walls/bookshelves, etc. than a space filled with things I don’t love or that don’t have any meaning. I love to sit and visualize how I want a space to feel/ be used before I furnish or decorate it.

After a move, what areas of the home should we tackle first?

When we help clients move into a new home, the first places we set up and organize are the kitchen and the bedrooms. These are the two most important places to start. Kitchens are the heart of the home, where we start and end each day, feed and nourish our family, talk about our days, where we make plans and connect with each other. The second most important rooms to set are the bedrooms. Make sure you pack clean sheets separately, first day make up the beds and help your kids settle into their new home with familiar surroundings like their blankets, stuffies, books, etc.

How do you handle sentimental items or things we’re unsure about keeping?

We help our clients with this a lot. Here is what I say so often: “if it’s tucked inside a bin or box and not being displayed, it’s not really bringing honor to the people who gave it to you.” One or two sentimental items of your loved one’s things displayed, is all you really need, unless you have a set of dishes or things like that. Displaying the items helps you remember them every time you see it, creates conversations where you can talk about your loved ones, and brings honor to them much more than being shoved into an attic or basement and forgotten. Special clothing like wedding dresses, prom dresses and such are usually captured in photos, we don’t necessarily need to keep the actual item, the picture and the memory of the event is enough. 

Questions to ask yourself when decluttering for a move:

When was the last time I used this?

If it’s been over an entire year, chances are you haven’t needed it, or you would have used it.

Would I buy this again today?

Am I saving this because I spent money on it? Truth is, Tthe money has already been spent; you won’t get that money back even if you sell it brand new.

Do I really love this or am I keeping it out of guilt?

If you don’t love or use it, let it go. Would you want someone to keep something from you out of guilt? The honest answer is no.

Are there any storage solutions or organizing tools you swear by?

This is hard to answer because we tailor every system to a particular family. I never recommend storage until you’ve done a major declutter. Then start with things like drawer organizers, lazy susans under sinks and in a pantry, labeled bins or baskets to set up a boundary of how much of a certain item you need. Only when that bin is low do you need to buy more. Don’t forget about vertical spaces like the backs of doors.

What are some common mistakes people make when organizing a new home?

The most common mistake we see is clients buying organizing products without knowing what they will use them for. When purchasing products be sure you have measured and mapped out exactly where you will use it. (or hire a pro to help you, that’s what we do best.) Don’t be tempted to buy one offs just because they are on sale. You want continuity in your products just like when you decorate your homes. Matching baskets and bins create a visually pleasing space. If you don’t know where you will use it, don’t buy it. Like I mentioned earlier, live there a while before making major purchases.

How can we get our kids involved in keeping things organized?

Start them young! Even toddlers can and are willing to help when you make it fun. Set the example first. If you tell your child to go clean their room but haven’t shown them what that means, you are not setting them up for success. Establish daily and weekly chores for every family member. Work before play always. The reward for hard work is getting to go do the things they love. 

What’s one area of the home people often overlook but once it’s organized, makes a big difference?

Garages! Garages become a dumping ground for delayed decisions. When you set up a garage with only the things you use and need (just like inside your home) it creates a “deal with it now” mentality. Aesthetically pleasing spaces make you WANT to put it away, not just put it down. Garages are for parking your car in, not for storage ;-)

What would you say to someone who feels overwhelmed and doesn’t know where to start?

Start small. I always say one drawer at a time. Set your timer for 20-30 minutes each day and just do something. Baby steps are still forward progression. If you are consistent with this, it will become a habit, and you will find yourself getting more motivated to keep going. The other rule you MUST follow is: One in, one out. If anything comes into the home, something has to go out; that’s how people get overwhelmed, nothing ever leaves. Go on a spending freeze and just see how little you really need.

Is there a mindset or mantra you recommend for staying organized over time, even when life feels chaotic?

Plan your work, then work that plan. You can’t wander aimlessly through life and expect results.

I’m so grateful to Lisa for sharing her wisdom—she truly has a way of making organizing feel doable, even during the chaos of a move. I hope her tips inspire and empower you to create an organized, welcoming home that works for your whole family—even in the middle of all the moving boxes and big emotions.

Be sure to visit Lisa over on Instagram @GetNeat_WithLisa and check out her website www.getneatwithlisa.co for even more tips and inspiration.

Now I’d love to hear from you: What’s your biggest organizing challenge right now—or a tip you swear by that other moms should know? Share in the comments below!