Professional Organizer & Interior Stylist Michele Goodman's Carte
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While interior design is no doubt a creative endeavor, an element of pragmatism is essential to a livable space. Michele Goodman understands this, which inspired her to combine her skills as an expert organizer, home stylist and interior designer to launch her company, Meeshaluna. The Los Angeles-based service helps its clients get organized and maximize the functionality of every space while catering to each individual’s aesthetic preferences.
Carte caught up with Michele to discuss her process, what essential organization tools she recommends and how she gets her clients to love the space they live in
Organizing
“The main thing is that every belonging should have a designated place. That way you know exactly where to find something when you are looking for it. You have to have things easily viewable and accessible because if you don’t see it, you will never use it.
I recommend purging often to make room for new things, to refresh, and to prevent overflow of unnecessary items. Utilizing organizational systems will help you contain items so that they are easy to store and keep tidy.
To start organizing any area (besides the closet) this is my process:
Take everything out so all of your products are visible.
Clean the area by vacuuming or wiping so you have a fresh start.
Measure the space so you know what kind of organizing systems to get.
Closet
There are so many different ways to organize your wardrobe and it’s really different for each person. Although many organizers recommend it, I find emptying your whole closet out at once can be overwhelming and hard to finish in one session — you don’t want to go to sleep with a pile of clothes on your bed! So instead, I go through each item one by one with my clients. They’ll try things on, we’ll talk about the item and decide if it has to go or get altered. We tackle one area at a time.
A few of my tips to keep closets organized:
I do a “one in one out” rule because I lack space and it’s helpful for me so I don’t over accumulate things. When I buy something new, I give something away. I want to be obsessed with everything in my closet, so if I don’t gravitate towards an item anymore, I know I’m ready to move on.
I like to organize by color, category, and function. For example, for my tops I organized it tank tops first – white, gray, black, color, then short sleeve blouses – white, gray, black, color, then long sleeve in the same order. I group the button downs together, active wear together, etc. It works for me because I know where to look when I want a specific item.
Having all matching hangers is such an easy and quick fix that makes such an impact. (Make sure all hanging items are facing the same direction!)
There are many ways to fold – do what works for you and what fits best in your closet – just be consistent!
Discard shoe boxes and dry cleaning hangers right away!
Open Spaces Drawer Dividers
I love using these wood dividers in closet drawers. You can also use them in your nightstand. You can just use 1 to divide the drawer in half or multiple for several sections.
Clear Shelf Divider
Those are great to separate sweaters and comes with a built in hook!
Linen Cambridge Drawer Organizers
I like to use these pretty linen divider boxes for intimates, bathing suites, etc
Black Premium Non-Slip Velvet Hangers
I love to have all matching hangers, I use thin black velvet ones. I buy them from the Container Store or Amazon. Make sure all hanging items are facing the same direction.
Discard dry cleaning hangers and packaging right when you get home, it’s a must!
Stackers Stackable Jewelry Box
My favorite jewelry storage are these amazing stackable boxes. I love them because you can pick and choose what style and shape works for your collection. Each piece stacks on top of each other so you can choose one layer for rings, one for necklaces, one for earrings, etc. I just reorganized all my jewelry these are the best ever.
Clear Lookers Bins
I’m obsessed with these for hand bags, hats, scarves, honestly anything.
Connected Goods Woven HampeRS
I think it’s so important to make your bed everyday – it’s the perfect thing to start your day off with and makes you feel productive. When you get home from a long day of work or long day of working from home, there is nothing better than getting into a made bed.
Before bed every night, put things away. If there are things lying around on chairs, benches, or on the floor, put them away so that when you wake up it’s a clean slate and you have nothing to worry about in the morning.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, take out all of your products so everything is visible, clean the drawers and cabinets, and measure the space so you know what kind of organizing systems to get.
My bathroom organization process:
Purge — Check expiration dates. So often we keep things that have expired and their prime time has passed. Keep tabs on medicines, prescriptions, makeup, nail polish etc. I put a limit of 1 year for makeup - you don’t want to use makeup that has gone bad.
Categorize Like Items — Group things together that have similar functions. For makeup, put lip-gloss and lipsticks together, concealers and foundations, bronzers, blushes, and so on. Then for cosmetics group body care together, face care, hair care, etc. So when you are looking for something specific, you will know where it is because of its category. Keep the items you use every day together.
Contain — once you sort through everything, measure your space – drawer, cabinet, under the sink. Find containers that fit to put your items in. They key is accessibility. The easier it is to get to your things, the faster it takes to get ready. It makes things more efficient and productive.
Stackable Bamboo Drawer Organizers
I love these drawer organizers for inside my bathroom drawers. I absolutely love that they are bamboo instead of plastic.
2-Tier Bamboo Lazy Susan
I loveee using "Lazy Susans" which I have renamed as "Hard Working Susans.” I put them underneath my bathroom sink for everyday items that are too tall to fit inside my drawer.
For smaller spaces this is another great “Lazy Susan” piece.
2 Drawer Mesh Organizer
For extra stuff I like using stackable pieces to create more space vertically under the sink.
Natural Lined Makati Storage Baskets
I like these baskets for under the bathroom sink because they are lined.
Favori Storage Caddy
This is cute to store extra large bulky items.
Kitchen
My process for organizing your kitchen and pantry is similar to the bathroom - take everything out, clean the area, purge unwanted or expired goods, group like items together, measure the space, contain.
Everything in your kitchen should be easily accessible so it’s a good idea to build up storage vertically so you can fit more in the given space.
Open Spaces Shelf Risers
A lot of time we have room to store things vertically so I love getting stackable shelves.
Yamazaki Tosca Large White Wood-Top Stackable Kitchen Rack
Sometimes it’s too heavy to stack dishes on top of each other, so this helps take the weight off and create more space.
Yamazaki Dish Storage Rack
Love this to store dishes.
Maple Racks
For things like cutting boards, lids and baking sheets.
2-Tier Bamboo Lazy Susan
I use similar things in the kitchen that I use in the bathroom, like my favorite bamboo Lazy Susan.
I love using this under the sink for sponges, dish soap, every day essentials.
Stackable Bamboo Drawer Organizers
Artisan Glass Canisters with Oak Lids
Love these.
Yamazaki Tosca Baskets with Wooden Handles
I store my kitchen towels in these baskets but you can also put pantry items or fruit in there too.
WAFFLE KITCHEN TOWELS
4-Piece Brown Twill China and Glassware Storage
These are great for storing china and glasses if you have limited space.
Home Office
Bigso Linen Marten Paper Drawers
These are great for paperwork.
But i also like to be creative with using things that are "meant" to be used in the office. These can also work for extra flatware, frames, etc.
Bigso Linen Marten Photo Storage Box
These are amazing for photo and notecard storage but you can use them to store things like napkin rings.
Decor
For blankets, kids toys or extra storage, get chic baskets to leave out and you’ll be happy.
Terrain Wide Weave Leather Basket
Terrain makes beautiful things. I had to buy this, it looks like Bottega!
Terrain Folded Leather Basket
The Citizenry
MERCADO STORAGE BASKETS
The Citizenry CIELO BASKETS
Travel
Paravel Packing Cubes
My FAVE travel cubes are from Paravel. I LOVE them, they offer great sizes and are chic.
Daily reminder - Always empty your bag/purse when you get home. Most of the time we accumulate tons of garbage throughout the day. Unwanted receipts, free samples, gum wrappers, you name it – it’s all trash and it’s important to get rid of it to allow yourself to feel good and have a stress-free mental state!”
— As told to Carte