Scrap Booking Room
This mom needed to convert her grown children’s ex-playroom to a room of her own in which to scrapbook and enjoy making her crafts. 

The first step was to remove and make decisions on non-craft items that were in the room. Next, by categorizing the various craft supplies she had and purging supplies she no longer used, we were able to see what supplies would rightfully live in the craft room. From there, we decided what would be the best container for each type of supply, using many of the existing containers she already owned and buying some decorative photo boxes, scrap booking drawers, and a paper sorter. A fresh coat of paint along with a brand new floor made this room a space in which any crafter would love to spend time!

Before                                                                   After

Family Room
This family room needed defined spaces where kids toys were separate from the family relaxation area.

By creating more storage for toys, the kids have a defined toy area: Sister’s toys on the right and Brother’s toys on the left. Arts and Crafts are grouped together and put away in a closed cabinet. Toys with pieces are placed in individual bins that can be taken out when needed and put away easily when finished.


Before                                                                   After

Before                                                                   After

Before                                                                   After

Testimonial
“We needed to reduce clutter in the kids bedrooms and take better advantage of the space in our finished basement. We wanted to take back some of the basement for a family room to relax and watch TV in and create a kid friendly and functional playroom and arts and crafts area. After our initial consultation with Taryn we were immediately motivated to get the toys, papers and other accumulated clutter out of the bedrooms and move it downstairs. When Taryn arrived, we immediately began sorting what to keep out, store away, throw away, donate etc. Taryn worked with us tirelessly, kept us motivated, and came back that same evening to help finish what we couldn't complete in the afternoon!!! We found that with Taryn there to direct us we had less of those moments spent wondering, "What on earth should I do with this???"  We wasted NO time and accomplished exactly what we set out to. Our basement is a fully functional for all of us. The kids are thrilled that they can find all of their toys and art supplies. I'm thrilled to hopefully never again hear the words, "Mommy, have you seen the playdoh?" Enough said! —D.K., New Brunswick, NJ

Multi-Purpose Basement
This newly finished basement had to be set up and organized from the start as a multi-purpose room for the whole family to enjoy.

By creating zones, all five family members can now enjoy the space together. With a computer armoire and worktable zone, a tv watching zone, a toy and play zone, and a pool and shuffle board table zone, now the whole family can spend time together in their newly organized family room.


Before                                                                   After

Before                                                                   After

Testimonial
“We weren’t sure how to make such a large space functional for our whole family. In one day, Taryn helped us create zones, find homes for things and organize each area of our basement so that the whole family was happy. We love spending time in our new family room and cleaning up is a breeze!”— K.T., Ewing, NJ

Art Classroom
This art teacher needed to have her many art supplies and paper organized so that she could easily know what she had at all times and be able to plan teaching projects accordingly.

Using the five steps to organizing, we first sorted and purged all existing supplies. Next we assigned homes based on frequency of use. Containers were utilized and labeled to keep supplies in their correct homes. Now, she has an organized classroom where she loves to teach!


Before                                                                   After

Before                                                                   After

Testimonial
“My classroom is so much easier to work in after all of your help. I cannot thank you enough.”
—S. M., Somerset, NJ

Girls Room
This 10-year old girl’s room was overrun by stuff. She wasn’t able to relax or enjoy being in her room because the clutter had taken over.

Organized Havens created a room that contained several zones: sleeping and relaxing, dressing and grooming, a computer/desk/music/homework station, and an area to enjoy her doll collection. She loves having friends over now and playing in her organized functional bedroom.


Before                                                                   After

Living Room
This Living room was a beautiful large space that needed to be a place where the whole family could gather to enjoy each other, but unfortunately clutter was hindering this from really happening.

We sorted and purged the clutter and decided what items needed to live in this living room and which could be stored elsewhere in the home. We organized audio-visual equipment on shelves and stored the family’s games in the closed chest. Now the focus in the room is on the beautiful stone fireplace not the clutter, and the family can relax and enjoy each other’s company.


Before                                                                   After

Office Guest Room
This combination office and guest room didn’t provide enough space in which to comfortably work and store office paperwork and reference materials.

Setting up files was a large part of this project. Action item and current project files were placed in the desk drawer, so they would be close at hand and easy to access daily. Reference files were created and housed in filing cabinets in the closet. The overbearing L- shaped desk, dresser, and hutch were replaced by a more functional desk that is much more aesthetically pleasing. The large bed was replaced by a futon that doubles as a place to relax and take a work break. Now, “going to work” is much more enjoyable for this work at home mom!


Before                                                                   After

Before                                                                   After

Testimonial
“Before hiring Taryn, I dreaded having to work in my home office/guest room. I had to squeeze in to get to my desk and once I was there, it was such a jumble of paper that was constantly distracting me from focusing on my work. Now, I look forward to getting work done in my spacious office where all of my files are organized and accessible. Wow, talk about money well spent!” —L.P., Howell, NJ

Plastic Containers and Kids Cups
The problem of disorganized plastic containers is a common one.

How To Get Them Under Control:
Sort and purge through the containers you have. Donate or recycle any containers that aren’t useful or that don’t have lids. Decide how many containers of each size you really need. Stack containers that nest together or store each container with its own lid matched to it. Maintain your organized containers by repeating the above steps as needed.


Before                                                                   After

Before                                                                   After

Testimonial
“Three months ago Taryn Lamb came to my house with a mission to organize my kitchen. It was hard for my husband and I to imagine spending money to have someone come over and do what we thought would be “cleaning” my kitchen. Cleaning is far from what happened. Taryn came in, very professionally, and did help clean some, but what took place was much more than a pick up. She turned my kitchen into a space that is functional and easy to maintain. Anyone could now enter my kitchen and find what they needed to create a meal. I realized how one day with Taryn was money very well spent when we recently had house guests who commented on how well the kitchen worked, without knowing I had paid a professional to organize it. I would gladly have paid Taryn double to have my kitchen the way it is now. Don’t hesitate. Being organized has taken stress off of each of my days. Taryn knows what she is dong and does it well!” —C.P., Kendall Park, NJ

Kids Toys
The challenge of organizing your children’s toys is a common complaint among parents. Toys seem to multiply and take over the house when we’re not looking. This mom needed solutions that worked to store and arrange her two sons’ toys. She needed these systems to help their family continue to be organized after we left.

As with any organizing project in which your stuff is overwhelming your space, the first stage is to reduce. Donate toys to your favorite charity or have a neighborhood garage sale. Why not have a rotating toy bin in which you bring “new” toys out for your kids every couple months and put the “old” ones away? Also, try the “one in, one out” rule and have your kids get rid of a toy each time they get a new one. Keep a running “donations” bin in your garage or basement and when it’s full, drop off the contents at your local charity.

Click here for a list of local charities in the Central Jersey area.


Before                                                                   After

Before                                                                   After