To say The Clutter Fairy has changed our family's life is an understatement. We can now welcome people into our home at a moment's notice instead of leaving visitors to talk on the doorstep, or spending a stressful week trying to hide the clutter, piling it into other rooms, having to close doors and dreading them asking to use the bathroom. Since The Clutter Fairy and her team have been in my home, I have been able to host parties, pack for holidays effortlessly knowing everything is in its rightful place, and have the children's friends over anytime and take them out for days guilt free. These are things most people take for granted but for me and my cluttery home, even the thought would have filled me with stress and fear.
Having lived in our current home for nine years with children, and running a busy business, our home had become completely chaotic. With the due date of our new baby fast approaching, I couldn't see how I could bring a new baby into our home the way it was. After watching a TV programme, I was amazed to discover there was such a thing as professional organisers and declutterers, something I had been looking for! I searched the web immediately and after considering various websites I decided to contact The Clutter Fairy (a member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers), and this has proved to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. I thought it would be embarrassing showing someone around my entire home but Lesley made us feel at ease and was non judgemental. I have found Lesley and her team to be extremely discreet and sensitive and, as they work in my home, they have helped me to see what's important to keep and what's not. They understand that some things are sentimental, and that's ok, it's not about throwing everything away, it's about keeping what's important in an logical, accessible, suitable place. I really look forward to the Clutter Fairy team coming to my home and feel a huge sense of relief as they leave with the vehicle jam packed with things that have been getting me down for years. Lesley has taught me new routines to maintain order and prevent me getting into a mess again. It is definitely money well spent as the happiness every member of our family now feels is priceless, I just wish I had found her sooner.
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Mrs J, Merseyside
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Setting the Scene
8 years ago, I lost my partner of nearly 30 years. Living? No, existing in a large house; rattling round with rooms that I may visit once a week or month, monthly outgoings humungous, obviously time to move.
Me - disorganised and de-motivated. My idea of filing – a foot high pile of papers; obviously the old ones are on the bottom – that is, until the stack falls over, around the two foot mark if you are interested.
I'm an extremely private person and the house is full of memories, mementos and 30 years of clutter. After several abortive attempts (over 6 years) to 'tidy up' so I can at least see what I have and then think the unthinkable - put the house up for sale – I gave up, took to my bed and said that's it.
Then I literally realised the path I need – a house doctor – like you see on TV. How to find – the internet.
I interviewed a couple who didn't feel quite right then Lesley stepped in. I knew immediately she was the one. Why? Very discreet, actually understood the problems. I wanted it done in 2 weeks. She suggested more gradually over 2 months. I 'gave in' – why pay a professional and then think you know better than them?
I am so glad I went with my gut feelings. She was right on every count – see below. We decided on a budget, times and terms. Her remit - to have the house ready for the estate agent's pictures (staging). Obviously there are several stages like de-cluttering, organising and designing the look and feel of the rooms before the end result is attained.
How did it work out?
Lesley arrived complete with bags for recycling, another colour for the tip, another for paper, and collapsible crates. Me – extremely nervous – here is a stranger going through my things. I really could not fault her. She got on with it and nothing fazes her.
The most important aspect was her understanding. Emotional stuff I thought I had dealt with suddenly comes to the surface via the memories unearthed. Anyone who has been bereaved will know what I mean. Suddenly you are in bits. Lesley knew immediately what the problem was and averted the potential disaster.
We worked in short periods of two/three days – which gave me time to recover and do my 'homework'. The end result is amazing. Not only my view but the estate agents who came to value the property.
Yes it is hard work - this decluttering and organising job – words I've never used before but now I have a house fit for a king and I'm proud of it as well.
Briefly?
Lesley can organise, declutter and stage superbly – exactly what it says on the box; but she brings other dimensions to the task; empathy and being discreet. She does it with feeling. Not only feelings for the job in hand but more importantly feelings for the client. She really does care and supports the client emotionally throughout. The other aspect she brings is her discreetness and she honours your privacy. Would I use her again. YES! Unreservedly and without question. My only regret. Not finding her 6 years ago.
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Mr G, Manchester
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I do believe in fairies after Katie tackled my dad's clutter. She has decluttering skills but more than that she has the ability to give people back some control when a part of their life has gone out of control. What a skilled lady!
What an amazing revelation - The Clutter Fairy is now my best kept secret. Lesley has sorted out not only my clutter, but my whole approach to filing/organising/linking electronic and hard copy data/organising how I run my life and office. Decluttering my home and work space has also decluttered my mind allowing clearer thinking, better performance and more enjoyment. Decluttering my wardrobe removed half the clothes and showed me what I actually needed. I cannot thank Lesley enough; she has been so helpful and supportive, full of energy and good ideas, an ultimate professional and has quickly understood my foibles and strengths. It has been an absolute pleasure spending time with her and my mess; each week when she sweeps out with lots of my discarded clutter I am left feeling in control and very happy.
Victoria is AMAZING and after she left I have continued albeit making much slower progress) where we left off.
There aren’t strong enough words that I can think of to express the effect this is having on me, I am just desperate to continue through the house and get our lives sorted finally!! She is coming back soon and to say I cannot wait is the understatement of the century!!!!!!
THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU from the bottom of my heart for just simply existing!!!!!!
I wish I had known of you sooner and everyone I have told is in awe-you definitely need more publicity!!!! 💖💖💖
😄👍🥳👏🏼 Xxx
The room was no longer in use except for storing a so called ‘filing system’ for paperwork, ‘memories’ (cards, pictures drawn by my children, school awards etc.), books, magazines etc. etc.!! It was difficult to find anything, even the sofa bed.
As you know...I’m primarily a mum of 2 children. One of my children has special needs and keeps me busy. I do some volunteer work also. Like so many people who contact you, I just don’t seem to have the time to tackle the decluttering. Although, it’s so much more than that isn’t it?
This mess has accumulated over years and years. Always at the back of my mind was “I must tackle it, I must get organised”. It wasn’t so much to have a tidy room; it was to put me back in control. The underlying sense of not being in control wasn’t nice. My family depend on me for everything; medical, finance, school, keeping the household functioning etc. etc. Having a child with special needs also brings a lot of additional responsibilities and important paperwork with it too. I hated going in to this room. There are lots of important documents in this room and I couldn’t lay my hands on them when needed. For instance, something like finding a passport, I would say to myself: “Where is it? I hope I can find it. How long will it take to find. What if I can’t find it”, creating an anxious feeling whilst thinking these thoughts. Anyway, this was the thought process every time for most admin tasks!
So over a few sessions we went through every item in the room. The process was an empowering one. Lesley, you got a real sense of who I was and about my family too. Not necessarily just from what I said but from going through all our ‘clutter’ too. This is such a gift of yours. It’s not just about throwing stuff out and organising what’s left. There are emotions attached to all this clutter and reasons why it’s accumulated for a long time. You understood this.
Well, the results were so much more than I expected. I have a wonderful filing system now. I know where everything is! Although I don’t enjoy admin, I don’t dread it now! I feel in control and I have not got the sense of being on the verge of letting anyone down.
I was able to get rid of 3 pieces of furniture and replace them with 2 very functional pieces. This small room that was once a mess is now a guest room, a study and a relaxing haven! Ha Ha! This is not what I envisioned at all.
We are not what some may call ‘well off’ and initially I did feel guilty contacting you for help to declutter. I thought this ‘service’ was a luxury for those that could afford it however I was wrong and am so glad I reached out for help.
It was the best money I have spent! I would not have got to this stage on my own. I am in control and the heavy feeling of dread when some new task crops up which involves a piece of paper I have to find is no longer there.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you
I was so terrified about contacting the clutter fairies. However the minute that Lesley made contact was the start of my new journey. Katie has helped to turn my life around. I don't think I could survive without her. Katie is amazing. My little girl loves helping her when she comes. Katie, you are amazing and have made my house my home. Thank you so much I can actually start to plan to bring people round now. Best company ever. I'm already booking in my family members for their homes to be sorted too.
In a high pressure job I have neither the time nor the energy to organise or declutter my personal life. Over the last 18 months Lesley has transformed my home and I no longer struggle to find matching socks or waste precious time trying to find items in a maze of clutter. She helped me get my house ready to put up for sale and alleviated all the stress of organising removal companies and even supported me on the day of the big move. Now Lesley is helping me find a new home that suits my lifestyle my taste and my needs with her unique attention to detail. No task is beyond her skills and she has such a sunny and calm disposition even in the most stressful of situations. More than a clutter fairy she is a fairy godmother!