In the three years that I have been organizing I notice this pattern. In most of my clients homes there is, what I call, “The One Room”. It is a room that has big aspirations to be a craft room, a meditating room, an office, a reading room etc. It’s potential is limitless. However over time it has become the dreaded storage room. It has become stuffed with boxes, christmas ornaments, old papers, used furniture, or clothes they no longer fit into. It has become way too easy to toss an item inside and quickly close the door and forget the stuff is even there. But here is the interesting part. Each time I enter a clients home for a consultation they overlook this room and label it a low priority. They rarely want to put time into organizing it. Perhaps they think because the door can be closed and company never sees it, it isn’t a room that needs their attention. Or perhaps it is because frequently the client knows half the items in the room can be donated or tossed and it’s just a matter of doing it. It’s also possible they are just so embarrased by the room they can’t bare to have another person in their with them. And let’s face it, it makes sense that they might want their kitchen organized first. The kitchen is a room they use every day.

However, Once I evaluate the situation, discuss the clients needs in more depth and learn more about whats really happening, the “One Room,” always ends up needing to be the top priority. I think this occurs for a few reasons. The first reason reminds me of something my father says. “It’s like wearing an Armani Suit, with underware full of holes.” So you look great on the outside, but underneath you know you’re a phony. It’s the same scenario with the “One Room.” Your guests may not know it’s there when they come to visit, but you do. And because you do, it drains you mentally. Also, clutter breeds more clutter. You say to yourself, “Well the room upstairs is already a mess, just put it in there.” This concept is very real for my husband. For him it doesn’t even need to be a room, if a corner is slightly cluttered, he’ll add to it and think it will go unoticed. There is also a more practical side of it. Because the “One Room” is full, everything else trickles to other corners and spaces of the house. Because you don’t have a craft room, meditating room, home office, or reading room the craft supplies, paperwork, or books don’t have a home. 

So I urge you to consider the impact your “One Room” has on you. It may be giving you more trouble than you realize.