Where to Begin with Whole House Organization: A Step-by-Step Guide from Ms. Poppins Home Downsizing and Organization

If you’ve ever looked around your home and thought, “Where do I even start?”—you’re not alone. Whole house organization can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re juggling decades of accumulation, changing life stages, or preparing for a move. At Ms. Poppins Home Downsizing and Organization, based right here in New York’s Capital Region, we specialize in turning that overwhelm into calm, one space at a time.

Here’s our tried-and-true method to get started on your whole house organizing journey.

Step 1: Choose One Space to Start With

Don’t try to do everything at once. That’s a recipe for burnout. Instead, pick one room or area that feels the most urgent or will give you the most satisfaction once completed—maybe it’s the guest room that’s become a catch-all, the basement, or your own bedroom.

Once you’ve chosen your starting space, stay there. Even if you start uncovering things that belong elsewhere, resist the urge to bounce around the house (we’ll get to that!).

Step 2: Start Inside the Closets

Before you even touch what’s out in the open, head to the closets, cabinets, or hidden storage in that space first. Why? Because you’re going to need those spaces to “receive” items from elsewhere later. Clearing out closets gives you the room to rehome things from drawers, surfaces, and other parts of the house.

Pro Tip: Be ruthless—but realistic. If it hasn’t been used in years, consider whether it’s really earning its space.

Step 3: Move on to Drawers

After you’ve created some breathing room in the closets, move on to drawers. These spaces often hold long-forgotten items or things we no longer use. Empty each drawer fully, sort and group like-items together, and only put back what you truly need or love.

Add some drawer dividers or small bins while you’re at it—they make a big difference!

Step 4: Stay Focused (Even If You Need to Cross Into Other Rooms)

Let’s be honest: organizing one room often reveals items that belong somewhere else. Maybe you found a tool in your nightstand or kitchen gadgets in the junk drawer. Here’s the golden rule:

If the space you’re moving an item to doesn’t yet have an easily accessible home for it—don’t stop to organize that room.

Instead, set up a temporary holding zone—a bin, basket, or dedicated corner—where those items can go until it’s that space’s turn. This keeps you from derailing your progress.

Step 5: Give Yourself Grace

Whole house organizing doesn’t have to be done in a day. Set realistic expectations and give yourself permission to pause and pivot when needed. What matters is that you’re creating systems that support how you live today—not just shuffling things around.

Final Thoughts

Starting the process is the hardest part—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Ms. Poppins Home Downsizing and Organization, we’ve helped countless Capital Region families declutter, simplify, and prepare for life’s next chapter. Whether you’re aging in place, moving to memory care, or just craving calm, our personalized approach meets you right where you are.

Need a little magic in your home? Let Ms. Poppins help.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation!