Spring Cleaning Tip: A Simple Kitchen Idea That Creates More Space

Spring is a great time to take a fresh look at how our homes function. Many people think spring cleaning means tackling the entire house, but often the most effective organizing solutions come from small changes that make everyday routines easier.

Recently, while looking through a Williams Sonoma catalog, I noticed a clever way to store pot lids that immediately caught my attention. After working as a professional organizer for more than a decade, I was surprised I had never seen this before.

Instead of storing pot lids separately in a cabinet or drawer, the lids were hanging directly with the pots.

It was such a simple idea that I decided to try it in my own kitchen.

In my kitchen, I already have a wall-mounted rod with hooks where I hang my pots and pans. Previously, the lids were stored in a separate organizer. After hanging the lids directly on the pots, I had an open space where the lids had been stored.

New found space, how exciting! I measured the area and added a few clear storage bins to organize snacks, pasta, and pantry items. Since my kitchen does not have a traditional pantry, this small adjustment created a much more functional storage system.

The change itself was simple, but the kitchen instantly felt cleaner and more organized.

One of the principles I’m often sharing with clients is that organizing works best when systems are simple and visible. When items are easy to see and easy to access, they are also much easier to maintain. Clear containers with labels help keep similar items grouped together and prevent things from getting lost in the back of a cabinet.

If you are starting your own spring refresh, here are a few simple strategies to try.

• Look for areas where you can use vertical space.

• Store items near where you use them most often.

• Use clear containers with labels so you can quickly see what you have.

• Measure your space before purchasing organizing products.

Even small changes can make a noticeable difference in how your home functions.

If you would like to see how this system works in my kitchen, including the before and after, you can watch the video below.

Spring is a wonderful time to reset your home and let go of items that are no longer serving you. If you would like help creating simple organizing systems that support the way you live, Space to Love would be happy to help.

Hope this was helpful. Let us know what you think. Comment below, we would love to hear from you.

Feng Shui in the Bedroom & Unfinished Projects

Moving in together is an exciting milestone, but it also comes with its challenges—especially when it comes to merging two sets of belongings into one shared space. Too often, we focus on making room for things rather than making space for the people we love. That’s where decluttering, organizing, and Feng Shui come in to create a balanced, harmonious home.

And speaking of making space… I finally made space on my desktop by editing this video—ten years later.

Yes, you read that right. I filmed this video ten years ago. And then? I let it sit. For a decade. I told myself I’d edit it when I had time. And let’s be honest—we’ve all said that before.

Somehow, even during Covid, when I had all the time in the world, I still didn’t touch it. It was like that one drawer in your house that you swear you’ll organize one day—except my drawer was digital, and it had a ten-year-old video collecting dust.

But here I am, finally finishing it. And honestly? It feels amazing. Not just because the video is done, but because unfinished projects take up mental space, just like physical clutter. The longer we let things linger, the more they weigh on us.

So, I’ve come up with a new motto: Finish it or forget it.

If there’s something sitting on your to-do list, ask yourself:

• Do I still care about this?

• Is it worth finishing?

• If not, can I let it go?

If it matters, finish it. If it doesn’t, free yourself from it. Either way, you win.

Which brings me back to decluttering—because honestly, finishing this video felt a lot like helping my clients clear out an entire closet.

In the project featured in this video, I worked with a couple moving in together. One partner was moving into the other’s home, and the biggest challenge was stuff. The closet was full, the storage situation was tight, and we needed to make room—not just for more belongings, but for both people to feel like they had a home in the space.

We started by decluttering, making intentional decisions about what to keep, what to donate, and what no longer served them. This wasn’t just about getting rid of things—it was about making space for a new chapter in their lives.

To maximize storage, we added a freestanding wardrobe from IKEA to keep everything organized within the bedroom instead of spreading items throughout the house. That one change helped create a sense of unity and balance, rather than making one person feel like a guest in their own home.

Beyond organization, Feng Shui played a key role in setting the tone for a peaceful, supportive relationship. Both partners had a metal element, meaning that neutral colors like whites and grays would enhance their sense of calm and stability. We incorporated these shades into the bedding, curtains, and furniture to create a cohesive and balanced look.

Other important Feng Shui adjustments included:

• Symmetry in the bedroom – Matching nightstands and lamps on either side of the bed create a sense of balance in the relationship.

• Intentional artwork – Instead of family photos, which can introduce external energy into the bedroom, we focused on images that symbolized romance and connection.

• Removing disruptive elements – A large mirror opposite of the window going across the bed was creating too much active energy (chi), making it harder to rest. We moved it inside the closet to maintain function without disrupting sleep.

Your home should reflect the life you’re building together, not just serve as a storage unit for your belongings. By decluttering, organizing, and incorporating Feng Shui, you can create a space that feels intentional, peaceful, and designed to support your relationship.

And beyond your home, think about your unfinished projects. What’s something you’ve been putting off for years? Maybe today is the day you finish it—or finally let it go.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time, consider this your sign. Finish it or forget it.

Want to learn more about your Feng Shui element and the best colors for your space? Leave a comment with your gender and birthdate, and I’ll let you know.

For more personalized organizing and Feng Shui tips, feel free to reach out at info@spacetolove.com.

Creating Memories in the Kitchen with Space to Love

As the holidays approach, the warmth of family and traditions brings us together. Earlier this year, I had the joy of learning how to make homemade pasta with my Aunt Angela who hails from Isola del Liri, just over an hour outside of Rome. She’s the genuine article when it comes to pasta, having perfected the practice over decades.

Editing the footage in December helped put the season in perspective:  the holidays are a time for connection, reflection, and tradition. It wasn’t just a cooking lesson; it was an experience rich with fun, love, and memories.

A Tradition Passed Down

With my Italian heritage, it shames me to admit that pasta-making has always been a mystery to me. Granted I can whip up the perfect store-bought al dente noodle and pair it with a delicious homemade Bolognese (my friends insist), but I finally took the time and convinced my aunt to share her pasta recipe and process with me. I’m recounting the experience in the present tense; it makes me feel closer to my family.

In her kitchen, Aunt Angela starts mixing semolina flour and all-purpose flour on the counter.  She doesn’t use precise measurements; instead, she cooks by feel and instinct, a method that reflects the beauty of tradition. Watching her work reminds me how important it is to slow down and enjoy the process. Life is a journey, right? 

Aunt Angela guides me through the steps, emphasizing intuition over strict measurements. The flours form a mountain on her countertop; a well in the center cradles the eggs. She explains how using three whole eggs and one extra yolk give the pasta its rich golden hue. With about a tablespoon of salt and a drizzle of olive oil, she carefully folds in the flour until the mixture is just right. She kneads the dough – a process that is meditative to watch and no doubt to do; her hands show the rhythm of years of practice.  

Once the dough is soft and smooth, it must rest for an hour. During that time, Aunt Angela prepares her pasta machine, a staple in her kitchen for over 20 years. She shows me how to use it by rolling the dough through the widest setting first, gradually thinning it out to the perfect thickness for fettuccine and ravioli. She used a drying rack for the fettuccine.

Cutting and shaping the pasta is delightful and therapeutic. Aunt Angela shares tips for making ravioli, filling each pocket with a delicious mixture of chopped meat, cheese, garlic, parsley, and breadcrumbs. She seals the edges with a fork: delicate and satisfying work. 

Then, it’s time for the boil. We cook the fresh pasta for a few short minutes and add it to her homemade sauce (which puts my sauce to shame – don’t tell my friends) and sit down to eat with my family – an experience all in itself, full of love, laughter, and of course, amazing food.  

This year I’ll be celebrating the holidays away from my Italian family, but in the spirit of tradition, I’ll be making my homemade Bolognese sauce and attempting to make some homemade pasta. I know that each bite will remind me of a delicious family meal and will warm me from the inside out. Wherever your celebrations take you, may you be safe, may you be joyous, and may you be filled with good things (to eat).

Post Prom Dress Problems

Hi, Christel here from Space to Love! I was organizing recently and found myself in a bit of a dilemma—one that so many of my clients can relate to. It all started when I came across a piece of my past that I’d completely forgotten about: my prom dress.

Now, I’m a little older, and let’s just say the dress doesn’t fit anymore. It’s a lovely reminder of a special time, though. My mother made it for me, which gives it a lot of sentimental value. But what’s funny is that, as an organizer, I’ve learned how sentimental attachments can lead us to hold onto things we might not actually need or use.

When I first decided I didn't want to keep the dress, I passed it on to my best friend. I didn’t want to donate it because of the sentimental attachment, but I also wasn’t sure what to do with it. So, I thought, Hey, why not let her daughter use it for dress-up? That way, the dress could have another life. Little did I know, my friend was thinking, “It’s too nice for that; I’ll just hold onto it for her.”

Fast forward a few decades, and when I visited New York to pick up some winter clothes, my friend handed me a surprise—my prom dress! She never got rid of it after all. Suddenly, I was faced with the very dilemma that many of my clients face: the attachment is now stronger than before, and I still don’t know what to do with it!

So, here I am, a professional organizer who coaches people through letting go, but now holding onto my prom dress because it feels even more special. My friend cared for it for all these years, and it’s now a little piece of our shared history. But realistically, I know I’ll never wear it again, and it's taking up space that I could use for something more practical.

This experience made me realize that even as organizers, we’re not immune to the emotional pull of items with personal history. So now, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Should I donate it and let it start a new chapter in someone else’s life, or should I keep it as a memento of my youth and friendship?

Let me know in the comments below. And remember, whether you’re holding onto an item or letting it go, what matters is that it reflects the life you want now, not the memories of the past.

3 Ways to Label Your Shoe Boxes

Hi, Christel here from Space to Love, and it’s been a while since I have written a blog on organizing and decorating. I’m glad to be here today and share a quick tip on 3 ways to label your shoe boxes.

My closet is pretty organized, but I wanted to take it one step further by adding pictures of the shoes to the boxes.

I used to live in New York, the East Village, in a really, really small apartment. My bedroom was only 6’ x 9’; it’s all about the location and not the space when living in Manhattan. Anyway, for my shoe organization, I bought white shoe boxes from Uline, then I used my roommate’s Polaroid camera to take pictures and double-sided tape to attach them to the boxes.

Fast forward to today, and living in Los Angeles, my room is a little bigger, and I actually have space in my closet for my shoes. Yay!

I have clear bins from the Container Store and am no longer using the white Uline boxes. However, I find it hard to see exactly what shoes are in what box when looking down in front of my closet, trying to get dressed. So, I thought I would recreate the NY shoe system here in LA.

Watch the video below, or keep on reading.

I don’t have a Polaroid camera or a roommate anymore, but I do have a mini photo printer with 2” label tape that prints sticker photos. I went ahead and took pictures of all my shoes, printed them out, and adhered them to the clear shoe boxes.

Space to Love - Before Clear Shoe Bins

Space to Love - After Clear Shoe Bins

Another way to achieve a similar look is to use a regular printer and then laminate them. I uploaded all my pictures to my computer, put them in a Word doc, made each photo 2”x3”, and then printed them out. I used a laminator and paper cutter from Amazon and double-sided tape.

Space to Love

The 3rd way is by using the old favorite, a label maker. This will make sure you know which pair of shoes go back into which box. I would print a label that says the designer’s name and then another to go underneath with the style of the shoe, i.e., Calvin Klein, Gold Wedge. This will make it clear, and you know exactly what’s in the box. Now, your shoes will always go back to where they belong, and this will help you stay organized.

No matter which way you go, make sure your labels are nice and straight:)

Keeping them in bins helps you stay organized, but also, putting them in categories in the closet will help you find what you’re looking for faster. It’s all about saving time. So instead of just randomly putting them back, put them back in categories, i.e., sandals, flats, work heels, dressy heels, boots, sneakers, and so on. Create categories that work best for you.

When I'm looking for my sandals, I know what row to look in and find them quickly. I don’t have that many shoes, so it's not crazy necessary, but when you have triple the amount of shoes or more, it's really great to make your categories and organize your shoes that way. You will thank yourself for it.

Some people ask me, “How many shoes do you have?” or “What do you think the perfect amount of shoes is?” and I think that you want to live within the means of your space. I started this project with 30 pairs of shoes. With that amount, I don't feel like I'm overflowing at all, and I think I'm living within the means of my space. I’m also not overwhelmed by having too many choices when it comes to what shoes to wear; this can be very time-consuming. There are only so many decisions you can make in a day, don’t waste them on what shoes.

All the shoes I do have, I wear and love them. However, I will never pass up an opportunity to go through and do a little decluttering if I can. As I take the pictures of the shoes, I will ask myself these questions…

1- When was the last time I wore them? If longer than six months, Do I plan on wearing them again? If not, donate.

2- Do they hurt my feet? Is it worth it…probably not, donate.

3- Are they in style and still represent who I am? If not, donate.

4- Are they too worn out and can’t be fixed? If yes, trash.

While asking yourself the questions above…feel free to try on all your shoes and walk around; this will make it easier to make those decisions.

I did get rid of two pairs of shoes. I actually liked both of them, but I wore them out too much, so they have definitely seen better days, and I had to let them go. I'm now down to 28 pairs of shoes. I just made some room for new things to come into my life:)

I hope you found this helpful and inspiring. Do you have any shoe-organizing tips that you'd like to share with us at the Space to Love community? Please comment below; we would love to hear from you. Happy organizing!!

DIY Window Treatments

I thought I would take a break from the organizing and decluttering tips and share some decorating ones.

Curtains, blinds, or shades can make or break a room and be a quick and easy way to changing up the decor and enhance any space. Not only for decor, but they are also crucial for the amount of light you want in the room. For kitchens, you want the room as bright as possible and the opposite it true for the bedroom.

I wanted to share these two videos on how to show easy ways to put up window treatments. I loved the way they came out and hope you do too.

How do you feel about your window treatments? Do you think you will try one of these projects to change up your space? We would love to hear about it, and please share your pictures. We love a good before and after photo:) Happy decorating!

How to Create More Space in Upper Kitchen Cabinets

As a professional organizer, I know that most people don’t have a lot of time. So I created some quick tip videos to help you get the information you need in just under a few minutes. Here is one on how to create more space in upper kitchen cabinets.

Below are the before and after pictures and links to the products. All you need to do is take everything out of your cabinet, wipe down the shelves, add the museum putty (from Amazon) on all four corners of the base of the riser shelves (I got the shelves at target) and then place the risers in the cabinet and secure in place. Start putting all your items back, with the extra space you will have more room to add items and get to things easier.

Hope you found this helpful. Let us know what you think:)

How To Organize Your Pantry

I love organizing and I love to travel. As a professional organizer, I sometimes get to do both. This pantry was in Malibu, CA. In this video, you may actually be able to hear the ocean in the background.

Pantries are one of the most satisfying areas of the kitchen to organize. It’s amazing how once you declutter and create categories, then put them back into the pantry, what a big difference it makes. It helps you save time, money and be less stressed. When it’s time to cook, shop, or just look for a quick snack you are fully supported by a well-organized panty.

In this video, I go through the Space to Love® 5 Step Method on how to organize your pantry.

Setup, Sort, Select, Sanitize, Style™

4 Quick tips from the video I want to share.

1 - Take everything out.

2 - Create categories for all your items and group them together.

3 - Get rid of everything that is expired.

4 - When putting food into airtight bins cut out the directions, write the expiration date on it and keep it in the bin.

Watch this short video below for the full process.

This is not the first video I have done on organizing a pantry and it probably won’t be my last:) I really can’t help myself!

I hope you found this helpful and we’re always looking for new ways to improve. What organizing tips do you have for the panty that you would like to share? Leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.

How to Organize Desk Drawers

I wanted to do a quick follow-up from my last blog about Organizing Paperwork. The next best thing to do is organize your desk drawers. They go hand in hand.

In this video, you will see how easy it is to get your desk drawers organized using the Space to Love® 5 Step Method. Setup, Select, Sort, Sanitize, Style™.

What did you think? I hope you found this video helpful. We would love your feedback.

How to Organize Paperwork

Ugh! Paperwork is the worst. This is my least favorite thing to organize but somebody has to do it. If you have paper clutter, I’m sorry and here is a simple way to get that mess off of your desk and into the proper place.

Most of the time I’m showing you examples of client homes but since I would be spending more time on the east coast and I had to set up another office there, I thought I would show you the system I created for myself. I will walk you through how to set up a filing system for yourself using the Space to Love® 5 Step Method to getting and staying organized.

Step 1 - Set up, you will need Post-it notes, a marker, cleaning supplies, file folders (left), trash, recycle, shred pile and a label maker.

Step 2 - Sort, Bring all your paperwork together to start forming your macro categories. Some examples of your macro categories could be House, Work and Personal. Once you figure out what the big categories are then you break them down into micro categories. Let’s say for your House category, you will separate the Water bill, Electric bill, House Repairs etc. Then with your Personal category, smaller categories might be Health Insurance, Car Insurance, Kids, Vital Records. I added a Work Category because I lot of us are working from home and it is good to keep personal and work separate.

Step 3 - Select, for paperwork the selection process is different then clothes or other house hold objects. Some of the papers or notebooks you are going through could be from old classes or seminars that you took. I know your will feel like you need to keep them and reference them but if you haven’ t looked at them in a couple of months or even years chances are you will not need them. When selecting keep in mind what you can access on-line, whether it be with bills and statements or info that Siri can tell you in a few seconds that would take you hours to find in your old notes. This is where you really try to see how much paperwork you can let go of.

Step 4 - Sanitize, get out your cleaning supplies and wipe down the desk and your computer. It always feels good the clean and it’s easier when everything is out of your way.

Step 5 - Style, this is personal and you have to see how many files you are left with and how much space you have and need. I used this filing system from The Container Store because I do like the way it looks and I wanted it open so I can see all my folders. If you wanted a closed option this is one of my go-to’s for my clients. However, you may need a bigger option like this if you have more paperwork. With any option you will need to have hanging folders, to be used for you macro categories.

I hope you found this useful and we would love to hear what you think.

If you are struggling to get organized don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help:)

Client Video Testimonial for Space to Love

April fools day:) You thought you were going to get another quick tip from Space to Love....sorry, no organizing tips today but all kidding aside....

Instead, I had the rare privilege of interviewing one of my long time clients and that is no joke! It’s a fact, most people don’t want others to know that they hired a professional organizer let alone talk about it on camera.

Sofia is amazing and one of the first to find and hire me on Yelp. While we had lunch in this beautiful park, we got to talking about all things organized and what we had accomplished over the past 6 years.

I’m so grateful for the time she took out to do this and that she could answer some questions that a lot of potential clients would always ask. Here are some of the things we talk about in the video.

*Once we are organized do you have to keep coming back?

*What is your method?

*Do I have to get rid of everything?

*Are all organizers alike?

*Can I maintain the organization on my own when we are done?

*What about memorabilia?

*Will I feel judged?

*What is the best thing about hiring a professional organizer?

I hope you enjoy this video of us going down memory lane.

Life is a journey, and as you can see from this video, that journey is so much better when organized.

How to Choose Bar Stools for Your Kitchen

Most of the time I am decluttering and organizing with clients but when I get to decorate with them I almost feel like it’s a day off because I love it so much. I was so grateful to work with this client in beautiful Santa Barbara. They had moved in recently and needed help adding a few accessories and pieces of furniture that were missing around the house to make it feel complete.

We started in the kitchen and wanted to add bar stools to her counter height island. We fell in love with these stools from www.furnitureclassics.com. that we saw on-line. Are you looking for some bar stools?

Here are some tips to keep in mind while you’re shopping around.

1. Measure and measure again, scale is so important and with bar stools you will either need counter height, 24-26” high or bar height 28-30” high.

2. Make sure the style will work in the space. You can mix styles but make sure they go together.

3. Try it out…comfort over style? What’s important to you?

Want to see our journey with the bar stools? Check out this video below.

Which one's did you like better? Do you think we went with the best choice? Let us know in the comments, we would love your feedback.

Bar Stool set #1 from www.furnitureclassics.com

Bar Stool set #2 from www.habitathomeandgarden.com

Bar Stool set #3 from www.thebluedoorsb.com

Thanks so much for spending some time with us. See you again soon.