Get Organized & Simplify Your Life With Marla Ottenstein
Welcome to Marla’s Blog, where expertise meets inspiration. Drawing from her extensive experience as the leading authority in Professional Organizing and Move Management, Marla shares invaluable advice and useful tips for achieving harmony and efficiency in your space and in your life. Whether you’re a busy homeowner in need of practical solutions or a business owner striving to optimize productivity, Marla’s knowledge shines through in every post.
Ready to unlock the secrets to a clutter-free and organized life? Explore a treasure trove of knowledge covering everything from home organization and office efficiency to downsizing, decluttering, move management and more.
Explore Our Latest Insights on Organization
COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZING
Professional organizing is a field that has grown significantly in recent years, yet it remains shrouded in misconceptions. As a Professional Organizer based in Naples, Florida, I often encounter clients who have preconceived notions about what my job entails. These...
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF CLUTTER: HOW A NAPLES’ PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER CAN HELP
Clutter is more than just a physical accumulation of items; it has deep emotional and psychological implications that can affect your well-being, productivity and overall quality of life. Understanding the psychology of clutter can help you recognize its impact and...
THE PROCESS OF DECLUTTERING AND ORGANIZING A SPACE FOR A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
Professional organizers are experts in transforming chaotic, cluttered spaces into functional, serene environments. Their approach combines practical strategies with an understanding of human psychology to create sustainable organizing solutions. This article will...
NAPLES’ DECLUTTERING EXPERT’S GUIDE: HOW TO OVERCOME ORGANIZING OBSTACLES
As Naples' Premier Professional Organizer and decluttering expert, I've helped countless Southwest Florida residents overcome organizing obstacles and transform their cluttered spaces into serene, organized havens. Whether you're downsizing your Naples beachfront...
CLEANING YOUR LUGGAGE AFTER A TRIP: NAPLES’ LEADING PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER EXPLAINS WHY IT’S A NECESSITY
As the leading Professional Organizer in Naples, FL, as well as in Southwest Florida, I cannot stress enough the importance of cleanliness and organization in all aspects of life, which of course includes travel. One crucial, yet often overlooked aspect of travel...
LIFE’S TRANSITIONS: DOWNSIZING & DECLUTTERING WITH A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
In today's fast-paced world, many people feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of their possessions. Whether you're downsizing to a smaller home, managing a loved one's estate or seeking a streamlined lifestyle, the process of downsizing and decluttering can be...
A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE BENEFITS OF HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER
In today's busy world, managing the clutter and maintaining an organized space can be overwhelming. Whether it's your home or office, disorganization can lead to stress, decreased productivity and lower property values if you’re planning on selling your home. This is...
THE 2024 ULTIMATE HURRICANE CHECKLIST
Having lived in Florida for the past 25 years, I’ve experienced way too many Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes to count, including: Hurricanes Mitch (1998), Ivan and Charley (2004), Wilma (2005), Irma (2017) and Ian (2022). And that’s not counting the “smaller”...
THE NEW & IMPROVED 2024 ULTIMATE CLEANING GUIDE
Here is an easy-to-follow schedule to help you keep your home and office neat and tidy. And while I can’t personally attest to doing each and every one of the following tasks on a set schedule, I can assure you that I make my bed every day, clean the showers and toilets twice a week and wipe down the ceiling fans once a month.
2024 PASSWORD ORGANIZATION GUIDELINE NEW & IMPROVED
Most of us depend upon a variety of password programs, but it should be noted that they are not infallible; in fact, the number of password managers hacked in the past five years is too many to list here.
DOWNSIZING IS THE MOST FREEING EXPERIENCE
Downsizing. A little over six years ago, I decided it would be less expensive to give my condo a facelift than it would be to move. And just like having a facelift (or so I’ve been told), preparation is key. In other words, it was time to clean up and clear out the...
ORGANIZATIONAL BLISS IS POSSIBLE — ONE MONTH AT A TIME
June is the ideal month to sort through the linen closet and get rid of all those threadbare, stained and torn sheets; pillows, pillowcases, pillow protectors and mattress protectors; tablecloths and napkins. Remember: If you don’t have twin beds, pitch the twin sheets.
HINTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOUSEHOLD MOVE
Hire a licensed, insured and experienced Professional Organizer to help you declutter, downsize and prepare for the move. Yes, I know you could probably do it yourself and don’t need a professional to help with the process, but trust me, the task of decluttering and downsizing is so much easier when you work with a pro!
KITCHEN & PANTRY ORGANIZATION PRE-THANKSGIVING
When organizing and decluttering your kitchen, it’s important to remember that it’s more about the consequences of eating something that may be unsafe than it is about the clutter and overall appearance of your pantry, freezer and fridge.
LINEN ORGANIZATION MADE EASY
Towels: Follow the “pillow rule.” Two towels per person, per body. In other words, if your guest room accommodates two people, all you need are four towels, four hand towels and four washcloths! No more, no less.
WANT TO GET ORGANIZED? STOP SHOPPING!
To get — and stay — organized, you need to completely organize your closets so that you are left with only those items you truly love. Once your closets are organized, you need to make a pact to stop shopping for at least three months.
THE SNOWBIRD CHECKLIST. DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
If you’re away for the summer, it’s imperative that your home be organized and that you do everything on this checklist, especially in hurricane-prone locations.
JANUARY IS GET ORGANIZED MONTH
In an attempt to get — and stay — organized, we set impossible goals and resolve to accomplish these goals in too short a period of time. We resolve to lose weight, to go to the gym every day, to stop procrastinating and, above all else, to get organized. Just the thought of making these resolutions can be overwhelming; and sometimes the pressure to succeed is enough to make us forget what we resolved to do in the first place.
25 ORGANIZING HACKS TO LIVE BY
Make your bed and 25 more organizing hacks to live by! Getting organized is one thing. Staying organized is something else altogether. Having been a professional organizer for more than 16 years, it’s my opinion that the key to staying organized lies in our ability to...
GET YOUR LIFE IN ORDER!
Create a detailed list of all passwords and user names, including company name, account number and contact information, secret questions and URL address for every single account you use on and offline. This list, which is way more comprehensive than your average password manager, should be No.1 on everyone’s list of things to do. I
RIGHT-SIZING IS AN ONGOING PROCESS
When the time comes, and trust me, everyone’s time will come, I’d like to think my house is “death ready,” meaning, quite literally, that all of my ducks are in a row, including my paperwork, and that there’s no financial or physical clutter anywhere, which is exactly...
SHOPPING CAN LEAD TO BEING DISORGANIZED
As a professional organizer, I’ve seen it all. So, when I say, shopping can – and in far too many cases does – lead to being disorganized, I know what I’m talking about. The theory is pretty simple: the more you shop, the more you own. The more you own, the less space...
DRESS LIKE A FRENCH WOMAN: LESS IS MORE
The National Association of Professional Organizers has designated January as Get Organized Month. The month-long event is dedicated to raising public awareness of the benefits of getting organized by hiring a professional organizer.
THE TRUTH ABOUT DOWNSIZING & MOVING
For most people, the thought of moving is enough to make them stay put for the rest of their lives, but as we all know, sometimes staying put is not an option.
HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR MEDICAL RECORDS
No matter what your age, it is important your medical records are current, accurate and easily accessible at all times. Here are a few simple ideas to help you get organized and organize your medical records. In Case of Emergency Card: Having an I.C.E. Card can save...
GET ORGANIZED, THEME PARK SURVIVAL WITH CHILDREN
Finally, make sure all children have identification, including the name and contact telephone of an adult, safely pinned into the inside of a pants pocket or on a lanyard. (Note: checkout State of Florida issued state ID.)
PHOTO ORGANIZATION MADE EASY
No one cares about the bins of photos you’ve been saving since your parents saddled you with those same bins 40, 50, 60 years ago, especially not your children who will throw them all out when you’re dead and gone.
HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR
American drivers spend more than 290 hours on the road annually. That’s a lot of time to spend in the close confines of an automobile, especially if you don’t take care of your vehicle.
THE QUINTESSENTIAL TOILETRY CHECKLIST
Packing for a trip, no matter how long or short, comes down to two things, anticipation and preparation. If you know packing your toiletries is something you hate to do, why not put together a toiletry kit that’s grab-it-and-go-trip-ready way in advance?
ONCE A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT, ALWAYS A VICTIM
No matter what anyone tells you: if you’re a victim of identity theft, it will be YOU, and not the criminals who will be the victim.
TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY, TURN OFF YOUR PHONE
Putting your phone aside is not just about increasing productivity and efficiency at work, but more importantly, it’s about making more time to enjoy the things in life that matter the most – friends and family and your own well-being.
SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING
No matter how young or old, rich or poor, organized or unorganized you are, as each and every one of us enters (and exits) the different chapters of our lives, circumstances, such as death and taxes, are inevitable. This is where Swedish Death Cleaning comes in. It’s...
DOWNSIZING TESTIMONIALS
Downsizing will change your life. If you don’t believe me, following are some testimonials from friends and clients who simplified their lives and started fresh.
IDENTITY THEFT, YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL
Account takeover is the newest form of identity theft and cyber crime. Never use an unsecured Wi-Fi, such as the free Wi-Fi at an airport, cafe or hotel.
OFFICE ORGANIZATION: A CLEAN DESK EQUALS A CLEAR MIND
When it comes to our personal surroundings, each of us has a distinct comfort level and sensitivity as to what makes us feel relaxed and at ease. Not surprisingly, as an inherently organized person, I’m most comfortable AND productive in a clutter-free, carefully...
IT’S NOT DOWNSIZING IF YOU’RE STILL HOLDING ONTO ALL THAT STUFF
October 2023 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR HOME OFFICE
July 2020 | GULFSHORE BUSINESS
In Case of Emergency
June 2022 | MARLA OTTENSTEIN
THE ORGANIZERS CLOSET
January 2020 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
GET ORGANIZED
March 2019 | USA TODAY NETWORK
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
July 2018 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
BEST OF 2018
May 2018 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
AN ORGANIZED OFFICE
April 2018 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
ON THE GO
MS. ADVENTURE
March 2018 | GULFSHORE LIFE
PRODUCTIVITY
BEGINS AT HOME
March 2018 | GULFSHORE BUSINESS
DOWNSIZING MADE EASY
February 2018 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
CREATING SPACE
September 2017 | GULFSHORE LIFE
ORDER UP
March 2017 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
IT’S A PICNIC
June 2015 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
THE RIGHT WAY TO RECYCLE
Oct 2015 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
READIED FOR THE STORM
May 2014 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
THE ORGANIZER CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
July 2014 | GULFSHORE LIFE
5Q SERVICE/BIZ PROFILE
June 2015 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
BALANCE/CLOSET LIBERATION
June 2013 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
BEST OF 2012
May 2012 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
THE A-LIST
September 2010 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
RESOURCEFUL SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS
September 2009 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
Discover More Organizing Secrets
Delve deeper into the world of clutter-free living! Explore our latest blog posts or reach out to Marla for personalized organizing services tailored to your needs in Florida.