Earrings dangling from Depression-era milk glass sugar bowl
A fellow organizer in one of my LinkedIn groups posted a request for comments regarding a) taking organizing a bit too far and b) striking a balance between function and form. Here's what I had to say:
I've seen many examples of form taking a back seat to function when it comes to organizing. I wonder about the sustainability of such methods. In my practice, a client's lifestyle and aesthetic are the context in which we establish new habits and organize belongings -- be it in the home or the office. I am always cognizant that it's a privilege to be invited to work in someone's home or workspace. A large part of that awareness is being an active observer: I look and listen for what's valuable to the client, what she can manage*, and what areas she keeps organized. I ask questions to get clarification, and I recommend methods for organizing her possessions and containers for storing them. I like to use items the client already owns whenever possible. I find that the more we incorporate routines that fit her lifestyle and storage items that appeal to her taste, the higher the likelihood that she'll continue to use them to stay organized. *Although my practice has an equal number of female and male clients, I prefer to refer to one gender in my articles instead of using "she/he" and "her/him". |