With the Netflix series of the wildly popular “The Home Edit” airing recently, never before has the spotlight shone brighter on the need for personal organisers. So Sorted and Oh So Organised are two South African companies who have spent years creating decluttering and organisation solutions for all sorts of clientele.
“Everybody has clutter,” says Kirsten van Rooyen from So Sorted, “it’s natural for us through years of creating memories to accumulate “stuff”.
The “stuff” gathers over time and sometimes even over a lifetime and before we know it, we are bursting at the seams with items we do not use but are holding onto.”
So Sorted offers a one-stop-shop, from decluttering to moving house and everything in between.
“Whether it’s a garage needing serious reorganising or a home move, our team is a well-oiled machine ensuring that no stone is left unturned throughout the entire process” says van Rooyen.
“You will sleep easier knowing that you do not have to worry about a thing and that everything is taken care of by our seamless planning from start to finish.”
Kirsten has spent the past 4 years growing her business from humble beginnings to the team of declutter gurus she has today.
“Our clients trust us and we leave each project with a sense of being part of their family”.
Personal organisers are so much more than just organisers. They are there when a loved one passes away to assist you with getting to grips with sorting through their possessions.
They make sure that when moving house, your bed is made up beautifully, the curtains are up and the towels are ready for your first night in your new home.
So Sorted donates items in good working order to a variety of charities as well as sells items on your behalf to assist with recovering costs to you for their hard work.
Kirsten’s top tip:
Kirsten is an advocate of the “one in, one out” rule. To keep your “stuff” level from rising, every time a new item comes into your home, a similar item must leave.
Julia at Oh So Organised has been helping Johannesburg get organised over the past three years, with teammates doing the same in Durban and Cape Town respectively.
Their strategy is to work with you according to your budget and assist in sorting clutter into bite-size chunks.
“I’ve moved entire houses and organised playrooms and garages and if I cannot help, I will find you, someone, who can,” she says.
“I never shy away from a challenge in my attempt to get chaos restored to order”.
Oh So Organised can handle any aspect of decluttering and moving with an emphasis on discretion.
Julia offers on-site consultation and tailored-made solutions to suit your individual needs. Pantries, offices, restaurants, stock takes, she’ll handle it all.
“No two clients are the same. I make time to assess their needs and always keep my projects well within their budgets” she says.
“My best feedback was when a client said I had saved her marriage! One really does not know the extent of your work’s impact on others” she adds.
Julia has a remarkable relationship with charitable organisations who assist her, ensuring that pre-loved items never go to waste.
Bereavements can be particularly difficult and both So Sorted and Oh So Organised pride themselves in their empathetic approach and caring attitudes.
They ensure that you are not alone through an emotional and challenging time.
Julia’s top tip:
Break things down into smaller pieces. Don’t look at everything together. With a wardrobe overhaul, for example, start with shirts one day and tackle pants the next. By doing things in smaller tasks the enormity of the job will be less overwhelming.
It’s not as glamourous as it seems.
Digging through piles of paperwork, neglected sheds and unwanted items is not what it looks like on the small screen. If only every storage unit had hidden treasure tucked away or if every client was a fashion designer with a closet full of shoes.
No, it requires getting your hands dirty and it can be hard on you physically as well as emotionally draining at times. But for Kirsten and Julia, the rewards are certainly worth it.
So Sorted:
082 379 0902
Oh So Organised:
083 454 2990
