Please note: this page contains reviews and opinions sent in by Berkeley Parents Net subscribers. Your own experience may be different. Please always check references before hiring!

2008 Recommendations

I need help with mail and bill management. I also have to deal with too much clutter in the garage, kitchen, kids room, etc. And my closet could use some help. Does anyone have a good organizer? buried in clutter

Since it can be a very personal and intimate thing to have someone go through your stuff, it's important to find someone with whom you feel comfortable. If Pam doesn't work out, try checking out NAPO (Nat'l Assoc Professional Organizers) for other options. Talia

2007 Recommendations

I need someone that will work with me and also give me some direction in setting up systems -not my strong suit. Thanks. Heidi

I'm looking for a consultant to help me use the space in my kitchen more efficiently. I can't afford to remodel it completely, but want to organize the space better. Is there anyone out there who does this kind of work? Mary

I want to recommend a professional organizer who helped change our lives in a mere 3 days. Her name is Sini Anderson and her phone # is 415-238-0286. She helped us do a massive de-clutter as well as reorganizing of rooms and stuff. This involved purging many things, some of which I thought I couldn't live without but have already forgotten. She's good at introducing new habits as a way of not undoing all her work with you. Well worth the money spent. tc

Hello, I am a working single mom preparing to move. I am hoping to hire someone to help me with the process of packing up this home and setting up the new one. I am needing technical assistance, in getting phone and internet/cable servies set up, as well as setting up the computers in the new space. I also need help with setting up new file cabinets and systems, and general organizing. Could this be one person? several? can you recommend anyone for any part of this? thank you! anon

I am looking for a home organizer who will find creative solutions for closet reorganization. I need someone who will help me find space for my clothes collection, and will not ask me to give things away to make space! susie

I am looking for someone to come to my home office to help me file and organize my clutter. The person needs to be personable, completely trustworthy, and excellent at organizing! alison

I am needing someone to help me get organized. I have stacks of papers to go through, as well as drawers and closets that need attention. I am needing to get all of my bills in order and filed. I want to develop some general systems for what to do with things that come into the house, where to put them, etc. While there were a few postings on this, none were recent. Anyone know of who might help with this project? and/or on an ongoing basis? thanks! anon

2006 Recommendations

Hello, can anyone give a recommendation for a household organizer - particularly skilled in kids stuff, attics and daily clutter - in Alameda or near? I checked the website but the last recommendations seem to be from 2005. You can post and/or reply to my email. Thanks for any help! Joni

For people looking for an organizer around the Bay Area, I highly recommend Isabella Guajardo 510-229-7321. She has her own truck and is completely reliable and considerate. She just helped my older son move his futon, computer, guitar, etc and she was relaxed, friendly and helpful. To boot, she only charges $20-$25 p/ hour plus gas/tolls. She's also available for packing, delivery, and organizing home, garden, offices. I'd especially recommend her for seniors and women who want someone they can trust and who will treat them and their belongings respectfully. Rachel

2005 Recommendations

What I'm looking for is someone to come to my home and organize my photos in albums. I know you must be thinking ''how lazy''. But really, I have two kids and a full time job. My photos are getting away from me and I simply don't have the time to make nice albums. I would also like this person to be a bit creative. I looked on the website and only found design organizers and I don't think I need that much. anyway, if anyone has any recommendation for me, I would appreciate it. Thanks. Carole

Has anyone had a successful experience with an organizer for help with MOVING and/or organizing a HOME OFFICE? I need help with a moving from a very large place to a small one, which involves sorting my belongings into sell/keep/consign/donate, actually selling my current furniture, packing/unpacking, setting up the new place, etc. I also need someone to help me catch up with some paperwork (not too much) and create an effective, easy filing system (and possibly some basic electronic spreadsheets, quicken or other) to help me manage and report financial and medical information and keep the day-to-day things on track. Types of projects: 1. -organizing the move and making it happen 2. -setting up the new place 3. -organizing paper flow, filing system, basic electronic record keeping (catching up with small amount of paperwork) 4. -designing storage/space 5. -monthly: assisting with bill paying, filling out and mailing forms, etc. THANKS! jayekaye

If you are looking for an organizer/redecorator, I would highly recommend Helena Tianinen. She is an artist who is also an experienced organizer. She can help you redecorate and/or organize your house by helping you make choices on new purchases and by utilizing what you already have to the degree you desire. Helena worked with us to help us figure out difficult room arrangements (her spatial eye is superb), how to pick the paint color/style of the rooms we wanted, and how to prioritize house projects. Most importantly, she showed us how to organize the "stuff" that was taking over our den & garage. All of her services are catered to your specific needs and likes. Helena is good at creating functional and attractive environments. She offers both consulting and hands-on assistance. She can be contacted at HTiainen01 AT aol.com or phone 510.848.1525 (leave a message). Jeanne

2004 Recommendations

Parents are you overwhelmed with clutter in your home? I highly recommend Professional Organizer, Deborah Anderson. She just organized my home office, bedroom and closets. It's a pleasure coming home again. She listened to my needs, helped me identify problem areas and worked with me to achieve the organization plan that works best for me. I now don't mind my family coming for the holidays. With my newly organized home, I will gladly welcome them. Call her, you won't regret it. She can be reached at 352-1068. Sonya

If you are looking for an organizer/redecorator, I would highly recommend Helena Tianinen. She is an artist who is also an experienced organizer. She can help you redecorate and/or organize your house by helping you make choices on new purchases and by utilizing what you already have to the degree you desire. Helena worked with us to help us figure out difficult room arrangements (her spatial eye is superb), how to pick the paint color/style of the rooms we wanted, and how to prioritize house projects. Most importantly, she showed us how to organize the "stuff" that was taking over our den & garage. All of her services are catered to your specific needs and likes. Helena is good at creating functional and attractive environments. She offers both consulting and hands-on assistance. She can be contacted at HTiainen01 AT aol.com or phone 510.848.1525 (leave a message). Jeanne

My husband is starting a tree consulting business and is setting up a home office. Can someone recommend a home office organizer who handles both the physical space and the general details. Thanks. Stefanie

My friend Michelle Green is starting a business organizing offices, closets, playrooms, storage areas, bedrooms and bathroom cabinets. She recently reconfigured my home office, and she is amazing.

There was a time when mailing a letter was a multi-hour process. Finding a stamp in my cluttered home office could take half an hour. Then there was the question of envelopes--it was generally quicker to go out and buy a new box. Where was that address? I'd have to call and ask someone.

Since Michelle blew through, it's a different story. I can pull any document I need from my files; locate a phone number in a matter of moments; and sit down each morning to a clear desk. It's not that Michelle comes over each evening to tidy up; by creating a place for everything, she's made my office one that even I can maintain.

All this with my self esteem intact. Just as I prefer not to go to a dentist who's going to make me feel like an outcast for not flossing enough, I don't need a professional organizer who'll try to lecture or shame me out of my bad habits. Michelle has more than a gift for the logic of a room; she's got a firm but gentle manner that lets even the most stubborn slob see a way out of the mess.

Because she's launching her business, she's starting out cheap-- $20 an hour, plus a free consultation to get started. Her hours are flexible, and she offers free follow up and written recommendations to stay organized. She'll also itemize and drop off unwanted stuff at a charitable organization, and bring you the receipt. She is reachable at 510 798 7266, or mimstirella at aol.com. Nell

2003 & Earlier

My Husband and I hired a great personal organizer and space planner. Her name is Shannon Hicks at Function and Style 510- 841-0405. She had several great ideas to get rid or clutter especially art projects. Such as creating a space like a shelf to show off the latest or favorite projects. When your child brings another treasure home let him pick what comes down in order to make space for the new. Good exercise to teach children to de-clutter. Also Shannon suggested collecting several ''master pieces'' together along with your child and take a picture. Then put all the pictures into an album,(which takes up much less space than all those little gems.
Another mom in need of clutter control

I would like to recommend Theresa Marino as either an organizer or plant consultant. Although she has not been doing either job as a career, I am encouraging her to think about it. She's terrific. She worked at a nursery and is helping me spruce up my yard (which plants to plant where, has a good eye for placement and mixing colors and different plants). She is also helping me with my house from hell - 15 years of stuff i never know what to do with. She is one of those people with great spatial awareness - she rearranged one cabinet in just a minute - it was amazing to me. She can tell when you're overwhelmed - we started with just 2 feet of counter space to clean off because that was all i could do. (some of us have issues...) Her email is cjoepm AT juno.com. Peggy

I am looking for a trustworthy, reasonably priced office manager-type person for my home. I envision this person spending about 4 hours a week on mail, filing, organizing, correspondence, etc. I have unsuccessfully tried expensive home/office organizers in the past but, because I wasn't easily trainable, the benefits were short-lived. I now realize that I need somebody to do the organizing for me on a long-term basis. I checked the website and was only able to find recommendations for organizing services. Has anybody employed somebody in this home office manager capacity? I'd appreciate names and any other details or suggestions you can provide. Thanks very much.
Desparately Disorganized

In response to a recent posting in which someone asked about Interior Decorators/Personal Organizers, I wanted to recommend Dana Arkinzadeh of DMA Organizing. We had a huge problem with clutter & also with paper flow (i.e. bills, filing, etc.) until Dana helped us come up with some simple, inexpensive solutions. Her rates are very reasonable. Although she's an organizational consultant rather than an interior decorator, Dana can recommend attractive furniture/storage/etc. in every price range. You can visit or Web site at www.dmaorganizing.com, email her at dana AT dmaorganizing.com or call her at 510.525.6805. Elisabeth

I'm looking for help in re-organizing my house. I'm trying to clear out old clutter, room by room. My older son is about to move into our spare bedroom which gives us NO extra space to put stuff. I'm thinking,how can we rearrange furniture, add shelves, organize closets etc. to create storage and a feeling of more space without actually remodeling (which hopefully is down the road)? By the way, I'm doing this all myself, as my husband isn't phased by clutter and piles around him. Any recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks. Sign me...drowning in clutter. June

I'm looking for recommendations for an organizer for the home office I share with my husband. It's completely out of control. I've read the recommendation for Spruce Girls and am seeking a few others to look into, as well. And if anyone has suggestions about what to look for and what to look OUT for, what to be careful of, I'd appreciate that, too. Robin

My friend, Sandy Howell, 510/652-3235, does home organizing for a very reasonable fee, $35/hour. She uses a feng shui philosophy in her organizing and recommends the book, ''Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui'' by K. Kingston. S.Lesh

My house has been buckling under the accumulation of fifteen years worth of Stuff: piles everywhere, most of the rooms not functioning well and stressful to look at. It has been driving me crazy for years but I haven't been able to deal with it, because it has just felt so overwhelming. I did hire an organizer several years back and she taught me the basics of Sort & Purge, but I had trouble following through.

I am thrilled to report that our house, and our lives, have turned around thanks to a new organizing team called Spruce, run by two brilliant and energetic young women (the Spruce Girls). They did a thorough interview and evaluation of the house, including taking dozens of digital photographs, of the most horrific areas. Once I got over my initial mortification, I was relieved that this was finally getting dealt with. Then they studied the situation and wrote up a creative proposal for re-visioning different areas of the house. It was so inspiring.

They just finished their 2nd full day of Sprucing yesterday, and already our house is transformed. (it is not over yet) Our upstairs hallway, which used to be Corridor of Junk (literally, just piles of boxes, bags and loose stuff) is now a beautiful library, office area, and music area. It's functional, beautiful and relaxing. My bedroom, which is quite large, and contained TOO much activity to be restful, had lots of computer and office equipment. This was all moved out (into the hallway landing) and the room is now a beautiful, peaceful sanctuary with separate sitting area. There is lots more to do but I am already ecstatic with the results. They have sorted the massive piles into other manageable categories (ie, all computer manuals, electronic equipment, magazines etc) which I will now sort and purge. They're delightful to work with.

If you and your house are suffering from clutter and disorganization, I can't say enough about Spruce. You can reach them through their website at www.sprucegirls.com. Their service is not cheap, but it is invaluable. Susan