Julie Bernatz, owner of A Space To Embrace, actually enjoys organizing. It makes her happy and she loves sharing this joy with other people. We are thrilled to share her storage hacks with you.
Today we want to introduce you to Julie from a Space To Embrace. She’s a professional organizer from North Carolina who really enjoys helping people get organized!
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MEET Some Smart ORGANIZING EXPERTS
When you need a fresh idea or help organizing something in your house, you probably search Google or Pinterest. Maybe you even ask your mom or best friend.
This Organizing Experts series on Clutter Keeper® will help you discover more people to follow and fresh places to find inspiration. Some of them own their own professional organizing business and some are online influencers. All of them have relatable stories to share.
Julie Bernatz – A Space To Embrace
Meet Julie. She’s the Owner of A Space To Embrace, where she has what she calls a dream job. She thrives on helping people get organized and make their homes a space to embrace.
Talking to Julie makes you want to have fun organizing your home too. Her enthusiasm is contagious. I know you are going to really enjoy learning a few things from this clever organizer.
WHAT IS THE MOST COMMON QUESTION YOU ARE ASKED ABOUT ORGANIZING?
My most common question is, “Have you worked with any hoarders?”
I have worked with a few but they have all been of the mindset that they are truly ready to reduce the amount of items in their households and are ready to follow guidelines and suggestions to prevent things from going back to the way they were.
I might add, that they had also received counseling which is what brought them to the reality that they were ready to move forward in making the changes necessary to become more organized.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE STORAGE HACKS?
My all-time favorite hack is an over the door shoe holder with clear pockets. It is one of the most versatile items and can be used in almost any room for anything.
- Pantries: Packets that fall through the cracks and small items as well as water bottles.
- Bedrooms: Socks, underwear, and small toys.
- Offices: additional office supplies and arts and craft items.
- Entry: seasonal items such as sunscreen, sunglasses, umbrellas, hats & gloves and flip flops.
Another favorite is shelf risers. I use them a lot in kitchen cabinets but also in pantries and closets.
WHAT MADE YOU REALLY ENJOY ORGANIZING IN THE FIRST PLACE?
It makes me happy to see things in order. Whether it’s in my own spaces or my clients. There is nothing better then taking in a project after it’s been finished and then looking at the before picture to remind ourselves where we started.
The other part of it is seeing the sense of relief on my client’s faces. What was a huge burden is gone and they can now enjoy their spaces.
A place for everything and everything in its place.
– Julie’s mom
WHO IS YOUR INSPIRATION?
My mother is my biggest inspiration. She would always say “a place for everything and everything in its place” and “put it away where it goes the first time and then you won’t waste time putting it away twice”. She is a wise woman and got her wisdom from my grandmother. They both keep their homes very neat and efficient.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO LABEL THINGS?
Honestly, I think that it’s most important to be able to read the label so I often use a very simple approach consisting of index cards and large sharpie pens. I put a label on the front and side of the bin by taping it to it with clear packing tape. It’s easy to read no matter how you store it and can easily be removed if you need to store something else in the bin
WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE “MUST-HAVE” STORAGE PRODUCTS?
If I’m working in a garage, I love the Rubbermaid Fast Track system and have used it for several of my clients. I find that it is easy to use and looks nice and offers a variety of clip-on items to accommodate any garage needs.
I like to use color-coded bins for holiday décor and make sure that they are the ones that have a separate solid lid, not the folding in type lids. I like to be confident that all the contents will be completely sealed in the bins.
WHAT IS THE MOST POPULAR THING YOU ORGANIZE?
Closets. We all seem to get overwhelmed with them at one time or another and need a little help sorting and deciding on what to keep or donate. I find that clients are more willing to donate when they know their items are being donated to a local non-profit in need.
WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU GIVE TO PEOPLE?
If you don’t find something to be beautiful or useful, you are not obligated to keep it.
Has anything funny or memorable happened to you when you were on a job?
One time, I was cleaning out a small storage space that had items left in it from a previous owner. The new owner had no idea what was there but could use the space for her own storage. In the corner, there was a gigantic mouse nest! I was a little nervous that something was going to surprise me. Luckily, nothing did and we guess that the nest had been there for a very long time. Then we found another nest in an old singer sewing machine cabinet in the same space!
I was happy when we finished that job and so was the client!
THE BEST ARTICLES FROM Julie’S BLOG
When she isn’t helping people in North Carolina get organized, you can find Julie sharing helpful ideas on her blog. Here are the best ones, start reading them and get inspired.
- Prepping For Next Year – This post is a must! Bookmark it. She shares valuable information that will help you get organized at the end of the year.
- Behind Closed Doors – This is an emotionally inspiring post that digs deeper into the “why” of organizing. What is chaotic on the outside usually reflects an inner struggle. I love her compassion and insight in this article.
- Spread the Love – Julie shares some fantastic places to donate as you go through and clean out your home.
- Organization Isn’t Complete Minimization – She dispels the myth that you have to totally minimize to be organized. You can have lots of things, they all just need a place to belong.
- Moving On – If you are moving, then read this post. It’s full of a ton of helpful hints.
WHERE TO FIND JuliE
Please go follow Julie on her social media channels. She’s always sharing new organization tips. And if you live near Rolesville, North Carolina, schedule a consultation.
- Facebook – Space To Embrace
- Instagram – @SpaceToEmbrace
Feeling overwhelmed about Christmas? Sign up to get our FREE guide, 3 Easy Ways to Erase Holiday Stress and discover how to have the joy-filled Christmas you’ve been dreaming of!
INFLUENTIAL HOME ORGANIZATION EXPERTS
Keep browsing for even more wisdom from scores of other organization experts. These are smart people with years of experience in home organization.
- Morgan from Morganize With Me
- Abby from Just A Girl and Her Blog with A Home Organizing Course
- Susan from Organized 31 – Ideas from a Military Mom
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