The professional organizing industry has seen significant growth over the years, reflecting the increasing demand for assistance in both residential and commercial settings. With the rising popularity of minimalism, sustainable design and reality show-inspired homes, it’s only natural that professional organizers step into the spotlight. There’s a growing awareness of the benefits of an organized lifestyle and turning to the pros makes even more sense than in the past as our homes now have many more roles to fill. The home office is here to stay, as are home gyms and children’s playrooms. Plus, color-coded closets are both functional and beautiful, and pantry organization systems can really ease your existence.
The interest in professional organizing services increased significantly over the past few years, with average monthly Google searches for terms related to this field almost doubling over the past four years, from an average of 33K searches in June 2019 to 62K monthly searches in May 2023.
To see which cities are most interested in having professionally organized homes, we turned to Google and analyzed online searches in the country’s top 20 largest cities. If you love the idea of living in a neat home and want to find a community of like-minded people where clean, organized spaces are a top priority, here are your best bets.
San Jose residents, the most interested in professional organizers among the country’s major cities
Living in a bustling metropolis has its undeniable allure – endless fun opportunities, vibrancy, and an intense pace of life. But there are also challenges. Navigating the fast-paced environment of major urban hotspots can often leave residents feeling overwhelmed and disorganized and this is where the invaluable expertise of a professional organizer comes into play.
With its sophisticated real estate and a local mindset focused on fine living, it’s no wonder that San Jose ranks first among the country’s top 20 cities for online searches related to professional organizers. The average of the past 12 months was 0.44 searches per 1,000 residents, more than double the national average of 0.18 searches.
San Jose is a major technology hub, and many residents lead busy lives and work long hours in demanding jobs. Nowadays, many of them might be working from their homes. And, as we all know, a cluttered and disorganized environment can contribute to increased stress levels and decreased productivity. One way for San Jose residents to stay both serene and productive is by hiring professional organizers, which can help them create and maintain a sense of order at home, allowing them to focus on other priorities.
Phoenix, AZ, has been gaining in popularity as a city, and home spaces there can get crowded. Ranking second in the nation for interest in professional organizers, the city registered about 0.42 monthly searches per 1,000 residents for terms related to the service. Phoenix has been a favorite relocation destination for a while now, and the categories of people moving here range from busy professionals juggling family responsibilities and demanding careers to retirees seeking a warm climate and an active lifestyle. All these people might need a bit of help, whether it’s with maintaining an organized home while having a busy, hectic schedule, or with downsizing possessions and making the most of a new living space.
Seattle, WA, ranks third for interest in professional organizers, which is hardly a surprise, seeing as the average Seattle apartment size stands at only 691 square feet. Living in small homes can present challenges in terms of optimizing storage and making the most of limited square footage, and the eye and the expertise of a professional organizer can be invaluable. Let’s not forget that Seattle is (in)famous for its rainy weather, so, naturally, people tend to spend more time indoors, while also having to deal with reduced natural light. Professional organizers can help optimize the layout of a home, and its storage options, to create an airy, lighter and brighter environment and enhance overall wellbeing.
Other cities with a high degree of interest in professional organizers include Jacksonville, FL, Denver, CO, and Austin, TX. At the other end of the spectrum lie the capitals of pricey real estate: NYC and Los Angeles see less interest in home organizing services compared to other urban hubs – and the high cost of living might be having a say in that.
What are the most common home organizing hurdles that a professional can help you with?
We all know that maintaining a neat, tidy and organized home can be difficult at times – but which are the most common organizational needs that determine whether people hire a professional organizer? We’ve talked to several organizing pros to investigate what they mostly get called in for. The main reasons certainly vary depending on personal circumstances, but many revolve around optimizing living spaces so that people can actually enjoy their homes and lifestyles.
“Many of my clients have been struggling for months or years with a disorganized space – closet, kitchen, office, paperwork – before working with me,” Lisa Dooley from Your Organized Life told us. “So, the projects vary but the common theme is lack of time and figuring out how to get the project started and completed”.
One of the most valuable contributions that a professional organizer will make is not simply tidying up your home “for now” but coming up with systems and solutions that will transform it into a welcoming and functional place for all residents. “We establish the systems and processes they need to manage the flow of items into the house and the accumulation of everyday clutter,” says certified professional organizer Andrea Walker of Smartly Organized. “They feel some level of chaos and want to feel calm and relaxed in their home. Projects are varied with a strong focus on kitchens/pantries, playrooms, closets and garages, where stuff tends to expand to fill the space they have. These are heavily used spaces and having them organized and functional sets the tone for the family,” she continued.
Professional organizers might even help you save money in the long run through limiting unnecessary purchases and increasing productivity. “One of the main reasons clients tell us they need us is because they want to cut down on multiple purchases,” Ben Soreff of House To Home Organizing explained. “When your home is disorganized and cluttered you can't find what you are looking for and you are not productive. By having designated spaces for every category of belongings you can eliminate buying stuff you already have. Paper towels and laundry detergent aren't that big of a deal because in theory you will use it all eventually, but flashlights, entertaining supplies, decorations, and so on, add up,” he concluded.
Another extremely important thing that people can save on in the long term is time. And we’re not talking about the time that it would take you to organize your home on your own, but time that you will be saving every day, due to your streamlined house. “Daily routine time saving is most important to many parents with children – getting them ready for school quickly and helping them stay organized,” emphasized Sabrina Quiaroli of Sabrina’s Organizing. “Having places like drop zones, areas for studying, and an organized bedroom to ease with dressing each morning are important to them,” she added.
How much does it cost to hire a professional organizer?
The average national cost for hiring a professional organizer for one project hovers around $500, according to bobvila.com. However, depending on your particular needs, the size of the space that will be organized and the degree of expertise of the professional you plan to hire, the cost can vary significantly.
Professional organizers can perform a variety of services, from small and simple things such as organizing a pantry or a garage to reorganizing your entire home. But their expertise doesn’t stop here and, in some cases, it can extend to things like organizing digital files and home finances or developing time-saving techniques. Professional organizers can also help businesses more efficiently manage their documents or organize their offices and warehouses — and even their schedules and daily activities.
With such an extensive array of services, and considering that demand for professional organizers is higher in some places than in others, it’s difficult to put a definite price on the costs. For example, the general reorganizing of a home can cost between $1,500 and $5,000. If you only need to reorganize your kitchen, you’ll probably pay anywhere between $250 and $400. More sensitive and intense projects, such as home financial organizing, are generally billed between $200 and $400 per hour, according to the same source.
Professional organizers generally agree that each project is unique and the best way of finding out a realistic cost for your project is by asking for a quote. “The cost of organizing a two-bedroom home, for example, can vary significantly based on the current state of the home, the amount of clutter, and how many areas need help,” explains Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer at Professional Organizer New Orleans. “A project could range anywhere from $600 to $3,000 or more, but ultimately every project is different,” she added.
Things to consider when hiring a professional organizer
If you’re planning to enlist the help of a professional organizer, here are some things to keep in mind so that you can reap the full benefits of their services:
- Establish the scope of your project and a budget for it
Before going ahead with hiring a professional organizer, you need to clearly define what you want to accomplish: which rooms/areas of your home or aspects of your life need organizing, what type of timeline would work for you in relation to the project, and how much money you are willing to pay.
- Keep an open mind
It’s important to realize that working with a professional organizer can be intense from a psychological point of view: They might suggest changes in your lifestyle — and to your home — that could be difficult for you to process. That’s why you should approach the whole process with an open mind and with a willingness to change your habits for good.
- Vet their credentials
Ideally, you should hire a professional organizer that is affiliated to and certified by a trade body such as the American Society of Professional Organizers or the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO). This indicates that the person (or the company) you plan to work with has the right knowledge and expertise to get the job done.
- Shop around
Check out prices or ask for quotes from at least three or four organizers, to grasp a sense of the actual costs in your area for the type of project you have in mind. That’s a great way to make sure you are not paying an excessive amount of money for the job. Of course, the experience of the professional organizer should also be factored in. It’s natural that a person with 20 years of experience under their belt charges more than a beginner – they will probably do a faster and better job.
- Set up an initial consultation
When it comes to professional organizers, it’s very important that the client (you) and the person hired for the job click together and communicate well with each other. The process of organizing your home, life or business can be quite demanding, so it’s important to hire someone you can trust. An initial consultation is an important first step, whether it’s face-to-face or online, and during this you can share details about the project, your goals and your expectations. Only after such a conversation, and after you conclude that you can work with that person, should you hire them for your project.
Self storage, an invaluable resource for those striving for a serene home environment
Professional organizers can be a game-changer in reclaiming control over your surroundings. However, even they can’t summon up more storage space when there isn’t any, which is generally the case for people living in smaller homes or those with large families and plenty of things to store. In such cases, your best bet for keeping your home streamlined and decluttered is renting self storage.
“For those grappling with space constraints, self-storage is often the knight in shining armor,” agrees Jennifer Kropf, founder and editorial director of Healthy Happy Impactful. “Picture families downsizing from sprawling homes to compact condos, struggling to bid farewell to their bulky, beloved belongings. Self-storage provides a haven for these items without cramping your living space. But remember, it's not a dumping ground. Keep it just as organized!”
Self storage, a service widely available across the country, including in our busiest urban areas, allows you to hold on to your precious belongings without compromising on comfort at home. You can use a self storage unit to store things you need only occasionally or seasonally (such as sports equipment, holiday decorations, gardening tools and outdoor furniture). A self storage unit is ideal for keeping furniture that’s too big for your current place — but worth hanging on to for your dream home — or baby clothes and accessories in anticipation of a new bundle of joy.
Climate-controlled units represent the perfect solution for maintaining collectibles, antiques and artwork in tip-top shape long term. The costs of climate-controlled storage varies depending on location. Below, you can check out rates and availability for climate-controlled storage units in some major cities across the country:
“By renting a self-storage unit, you can easily move items that are taking up space but not currently needed into the storage unit. This helps create a more organized and spacious home,” says Jon Tavarez at PRO Housekeepers. “Self storage is particularly useful for storing seasonal items such as holiday decorations, winter clothing, or sports equipment during the off-season. By keeping these items in a storage unit, you can free up space in your home and access them when needed,” he concluded.
In other words, self storage is an invaluable help when it comes to keeping your home nice and tidy. Self storage rents vary across the country, just as the costs of hiring a professional organizer do. A 10’x10’ self storage unit in NYC, for example, rents for around $253, while the same type of storage unit in Chicago hovers around $129.
If you find yourself constantly battling clutter, struggling to find essential items or feeling burdened by chaos in your home, a professional organizer may be the secret to restoring order and peace of mind. Using self storage can make the entire process easier and lets you enjoy your newly organized home long term.
Check out below the interest for professional organizers in the country’s 20 largest cities, as well as self storage rates and availability:
Interest for Professional Organizing Services in the Country's Largest 20 Cities
| Rank | City | Google Searches/1.000 | Self Storage Rent* | Self Storage per Capita (sq. ft.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | 0.44 | $178.00 | 3.8 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | 0.42 | $125.00 | 4.9 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | 0.41 | $196.00 | 3.7 |
| 4 | Jacksonville, FL | 0.41 | $112.00 | 9.5 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | 0.41 | $135.00 | 3.4 |
| 6 | Austin, TX | 0.4 | $121.00 | 7.7 |
| 7 | Oklahoma City, OK | 0.39 | $79.00 | 8.4 |
| 8 | Columbus, OH | 0.39 | $98.00 | 4.3 |
| 9 | Indianapolis, IN | 0.39 | $90.00 | 6.8 |
| 10 | Fort Worth, TX | 0.38 | $100.00 | 6.2 |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | 0.38 | $268.00 | 2.1 |
| 12 | Charlotte, NC | 0.38 | $105.00 | 7 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | 0.36 | $143.00 | 2.8 |
| 14 | Dallas, TX | 0.34 | $117.00 | 5 |
| 15 | San Diego, CA | 0.32 | $189.00 | 3.8 |
| 16 | San Antonio, TX | 0.31 | $113.00 | 8.7 |
| 17 | Houston, TX | 0.31 | $98.00 | 6.7 |
| 18 | Chicago, IL | 0.27 | $129.00 | 3.4 |
| 19 | Los Angeles, CA | 0.26 | $260.00 | 1.7 |
| 20 | New York City, NY | 0.21 | $253.00 | 2.4 |
Source: StorageCafe analysis of Google Ads and Yardi Matrix data
Methodology
This analysis was done by StorageCafe, an online platform that provides storage unit listings across the nation.
The data for our analysis of searches related to professional organizers was obtained by extracting monthly-average numbers from Google Ads. We analyzed nationwide and local searches using the following key phrases: professional organizer, professional organizers near me, home organizer, home organizers near me, decluttering services, organizing and decluttering services, home organizing services, professional home organizer, professional organizer, professional home organizer near me, house organizer near me, personal organizer near me, organizing services near me, house organizer, home organizing services near me, certified professional organizer, national association of professional organizers, and organizing services.
The Google Ads analysis was carried out at a national level for searches between June 2019 and May 2023 and in the 20 largest cities in the U.S. for searches between June 2022 and May 2023.
Self storage data was obtained from Yardi Matrix, StorageCafe’s sister division and a business development and asset management tool for brokers, sponsors, banks and equity sources underwriting investments in the multifamily, office, industrial and self-storage sectors.
Fair use and distribution
This study serves as a resource for the general public on issues of common interest and should not be regarded as investment advice. The data is true to the best of our knowledge but may change if amendments to it are made. We agree to the distribution of this content but we do require a mention in return for attribution purposes.
