Always on the move, Rachel grew up between Paris and San Francisco where she learned to recognize what matters and how to create cozy homes with what she had. She earned her master’s degree in interior design in Paris and spent over a decade crafting interiors blending purpose with style. For her next act, Rachel teamed up with her mother and for the next ten years, she opened and ran Le Garage in Brooklyn, turning a raw space into a functional and warm French restaurant filled with their love of food and shared story. Now married and based in New York, Rachel naturally gravitates toward harmony. She finds joy in the small details that bring ease to everyday life. A natural multitasker, she believes that peace lives in the little things. When your space works for you, life flows more freely! Rachel also volunteers at a homeless shelter (The Bowery Mission), bringing the same care and love to service. Her favorite escape: a book in hand, lying in the sun by the Mediterranean Sea.
Tara’s knack for transforming spaces began in childhood, moving frequently across the U.S. and Europe with her chemical engineer dad, stay at home mom and five sibilings. With each move, whether transitioning between large homes or cozy apartments, Tara was amazed by her mother’s ability to create organized and welcoming spaces in just a matter of days. Her mother’s mantra, “Pack one box and take only what you love,” instilled in Tara a profound appreciation for meaningful belongings and the art of decluttering. After earning a degree in history and fine arts from SMU, Tara’s journey led her from San Francisco to Boston and, finally, to New York, where she pursued a rewarding career in education. Known for her meticulously organized classrooms, Tara soon became the go-to person for helping colleagues revamp their spaces. With her three kids now in college, Tara is thrilled to focus on helping clients create welcoming, beautifully functional homes. In her downtime, she loves visiting her family around the globe with her husband and their spirited Labrador, Bear.
Sharon was born in the US and moved to France as a child, becoming fluent in French. After her formative years in Europe, her family settled in New Canaan, CT. Sharon attended Providence College and discovered her passion for marketing, leading to roles in London, Paris, Frankfurt, and the US.
After earning her MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Sharon and her husband, Tom, moved to New Canaan, CT where they raised their two children. She has organized her home, her children's rooms, dorms, and apartments. She has a unique talent for re-imagining spaces and witnessing the positive impact of these transformations. Even in her volunteer activities, Sharon brings her organizational skills to Planet New Canaan's Swap Shop, making it easy for customers to find what they need.
Professionally, Sharon has managed complex marketing campaigns and led projects requiring meticulous organization. From marketing plans to family vacations, there's not much that intimidates Sharon. Her diverse experiences and dedication make her a force in both her professional and personal life!
Ulrike was born & raised just outside Hamburg, Germany, in a small town where her father was a doctor and her mother commanded a household of six. Her parents both came from large families and her childhood was filled with visits to grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
In college, she studied History, French and Design from 1988-1992 at the University of Augsburg and the Fachhochschule Hildesheim where she received a Fulbright Scholarship for Design. From 1994-1996 Ulrike worked as Art Director at The Lacey Group, Minneapolis, MN and she worked as Art Director at Pluzynski & Associates, Inc. from 1997-1999.
After years of dealing with tight deadlines, she decided to focus on her 3 children full-time. Her husband’s career in the Museum World was blossoming and it was a true gift for her to be able to stay at home. Ulrike's oldest son finished college in May 2022, her middle son goes to "The New School" for Classical Music and her daughter is a Freshman in High School. Her passion is Real Estate Investments: She had the privilege of renovating/flipping small Real Estate Investment since arriving in NYC and she considers it a blessing even though it comes with its highs & lows.
Who knew that she would end up raising true New Yorkers, coming from a small town near Hamburg, Germany - all because of her wanderlust and staying open to the unexpected and to embrace the twists and turns along the road.
I started my career as a style editor at Condé Nast, and moved on to be President of a gallery and photo studio in Chelsea.
Most recently, I’ve collaborated with my partner in real estate development and design. We’ve worked on townhouses in Brooklyn, a farm in upstate New York, and multiple beach homes in New Jersey.
As much as I love to work outside the home, the most rewarding and challenging aspect of my life is raising my four children. They’ve patiently moved with us on many projects and tolerated living in multiple construction sites!
I’m thrilled to be part of the Done & Done and to watch the company grow and prosper!
The living room is my favorite space because we have an open floor plan that overlooks Brooklyn Bridge Park and the NYC Bridges. It’s the perfect room to entertain family and friends because while I’m cooking, we can all hang out together and enjoy the view.
People might have guessed that Stephanie would eventually become an organizer. In high school, she kept a record of every outfit that she wore on a piece of paper in her closet! Fast forward several years to when Stephanie met her husband Dan – set up by their respective Croatian families. Six homes, three children + one dog later, Stephanie lives in Connecticut with her husband and their three children. Stephanie keeps busy organizing their two college boys and high school daughter. When not working, she enjoys swimming, rowing, biking, gardening and volunteering with Meals on Wheels, the New Canaan Garden Club, the Congregational Church of New Canaan and Waveny Care Center. Stephanie is very thankful for team members Lise and Louise for helping to bring her on board!
As a young girl growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, OH Judy would marvel at her grandmother, who every time she visited, would clean out and reorganize her parent’s refrigerator. She inherited the organizing gene and enjoyed cleaning out and reorganizing her bedroom in between school terms. Much to the delight of friends and family she has carried on the tradition of her grandmother by leaving them with the gift of a reorganized linen closet or pantry after her stay.
Judy graduated from Miami University in Oxford, OH with a B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in Political Science and History. She immediately moved to Washington, DC where she lived for several years before moving to NYC with her husband. She had a career in politics and marketing before becoming a stay at home mom after the birth of their triplets. Over the years she has worked as a small business consultant and fundraiser at her children’s schools.
Judy enjoys working with clients in finding homes for their special things and helping them realize a more organized home. She is looking forward to transforming her own family apartment into a adult family living space now that her children are college bound. Judy lives in Prospect Heights Brooklyn and near Hudson, NY with her husband.
Born and raised in Montreal, Gail embodies the character traits of a true Canadian, nice, helpful, with a sense of humor. As a young girl, Gail would organize her grandmother’s dresser drawers during visits to her apartment. Gail loved their interactions as she worked. Making improvements to someone’s space and listening to the stories of their life proved to be a meaningful experience.
Many years later, Gail chose to study Architecture and got her degree at McGill University. In New York, Gail learned the ropes working for an Architect, designing and project managing high-end residential projects in Manhattan.
Gail delights in collaborating with others to re-imagine a space and then witness the impact of the transformation on someone’s life. She brings her architectural skills of space-planning and visioning, and her enjoyment of brainstorming with clients and a team, to her work with Done and Done. Gail currently volunteers at the Brooklyn Public Library, assisting the Curator of Visual Art Programming on rotating exhibition projects. She lives in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn with her husband, also an architectural designer, and daughter, who is almost off to college. There is always an improvement project to work on at home.
Jeanne was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri but also frequently visited her dad and new family in Northern California. All that traveling for parental visits had its many perks, as Jeanne quickly learned how to master the art of packing the essentials into a suitcase and make a nest fit for any bird.
Jeanne earned her BFA from Syracuse University and later moved to NYC where she worked for artist Kris Ruhs making jewelry for Bergdorff Goodman, Corso Como 10 and private clients. She also started her own accessories business making eye-glass chains which sold in Henri Bendel’s, Robert Marc Opticians in NYC and Rodeo Drive in LA.
Jeanne attended the School of Visual Arts post baccalaureate in Art education and went on to teach art to children ranging from preschoolers to 8th graders until she married her husband Fred. Jeanne has extensive experience with all aspects of the home, from purchasing, selling, designing and renovating. She has designed and renovated many projects in her own home while also helping friends declutter, organize, and make decorating decisions. Jeanne also had a 12 year real estate venture in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It also doesn’t hurt that according to astrology, her birth chart has 6 houses in Virgo, making her exceedingly detail oriented!
Originally from the South and educated in the Midwest, Louise moved to New York after college. With a can-do attitude and lots of energy, she worked in sales for clothing manufacturers selling to everyone from major department stores to golf pro shops. Eventually Louise left the city for Connecticut and raised/managed/organized four children, one husband, countless pets, moves and renovations. These days she still volunteers in town (Meals on Wheels, National Charity League and the New Canaan Garden Club) but has found as her children have grown, she has much more free time. Louise is now thrilled to be able to bring her organizational and management skills, positive attitude and high energy to work at Done and Done.
Born and raised in Denmark, Lise came to the United States for a six month visit in the 1980s in order to improve her English. She met the man who would become her husband within two months of arriving and lucky for Done and Done, she stayed. After graduating from UConn with a degree in Design and Resource Management with minors in Psychology and French, she eventually settled in New Canaan where she raised her two children. After years of homemaking and extensive volunteer work (Red Cross, National Charity League, Girl Scouts and NC Garden Club) Lise’s friend, Macky Hennessy, suggested she reach out to Ann and Kate and bring her organizing talents to Done and Done. Lise did her training hours in record time and very quickly became an invaluable member of the team.
Macky Henesey was born and raised in Seal Beach, California. She grew up playing competitive tennis, swimming, running and was a recruited field hockey player at UC Davis. When the beaches beckoned she returned to southern California to graduate with a degree in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach. She then ventured east to begin a career in public relations and advertising in Washington, DC. She met her husband Mike there and they moved shortly thereafter to New Canaan, CT where they’ve lived and raised their three children over the last 25 years. Macky has organized her home, her three kids rooms (repeatedly!), countless dorm rooms and parts of many friend’s homes. Macky has volunteered extensively and her work has spanned from the New Canaan Garden Club to the Waveny Care Center to National Charity League. Professionally she’s taken on the reorganization of a filing system in a law firm’s Westchester County office. Having organized everything from lace to lawsuits there’s not much that intimidates this one!
We didn’t have to search far when we were looking for someone to start up our marketing department. Meg Koett comes to us by way of family; sister to Ann and aunt to Kate, her hire was a no-brainer. We needed someone who knew us well enough to represent our brand and who better than a woman who has literally been there since day one?
Meg is a graduate of Ripon College, but decided early on to work from home while raising her two children. The co-founder of Jam Custom Handbags, Meg learned how to work with clients, how to advertise a brand and how to sell products online. After a successful run of five years, Jam closed their doors and Meg was available to put her knowledge to work for Done & Done.
Favorite space: My favorite space in my home is my exercise room. It’s very small but it has a ton of natural light so I always feel better after spending some time in there working out and getting my thoughts together!
Emilie Barrientos is a born and bred New Yorker. With close ties to the Eastern end of Long Island, Emilie has an appreciation for both city and country living. With an early love for organizing in her closet-sized NYC bedroom, Emilie never tires of the satisfaction of decluttering one's life, both physically and metaphorically. Emilie received her Bachelor's degree from Connecticut College where she pursued her love of dance. This took her to lead the marketing department at Dance Magazine prior to joining the Done & Done Team. Though Emilie needs only one winter coat and one set of pans, she values the importance of those sentimental silk scarves from grandparents and those gosh darn hand written letters. Emilie lives in Manhattan with her husband and their dog Max, and is poised to continue to delve deeper into the power of human connection and building community.
With a background in event management and hospitality, Lauren recently transitioned from planning and executing corporate meetings and special events to professional home organization. Lauren uses her trademark skills of problem solving, creativity, and flexibility to help Done & Done clients. She excels at logistics and operations, and her attention to detail means that projects go smoothly from concept to completion.
Good at wearing multiple hats, Lauren is adept at responding quickly to changing circumstances, always maintaining an upbeat, can-do attitude. As the Client Experience Manager, she specializes in customer service that nurtures positive, productive relationships with both clients and suppliers.
With a degree in Art History, Lauren has also had the opportunity to work onsite at various cultural institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Gracie Mansion Conservancy, and the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (Pafa).
Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree from Lafayette College and a certificate in meeting planning from Temple University. Lauren, her husband and her two young daughters recently moved and she is excited to renovate, decorate and apply what she is learning at Done & Done to create a more organized home.
Meri was born and raised in New Jersey. After graduating from Lafayette College with a BA in English Literature, Meri began her career working in ad sales in New York City. She then ventured to the West Coast to explore all that San Francisco had to offer. Meri built her career in the Bay Area and spent over 12 years working for a large tech company in advertising sales, business operations, and client services, where she also met her husband Darby. After many years in San Francisco, they purchased their first home in Oakland which is when Meri realized her passion for home interiors and her desire to create functional and beautiful spaces. As their family grew, she tackled many remodels and design projects in their 1920’s East Bay home. When Meri and her husband decided to move back East to be closer to family, Meri de-cluttered, packed and staged their home which expedited the sale and increased the value. She is currently (and slowly) remodeling their NJ home one room at a time.
Meri has always enjoyed helping friends and family problem solve, organize and brainstorm ideas, and brings to Done & Done her expertise of project management, attention to detail and love of organization!
For over a decade, DDH (Done & Done Home) has been transforming homes across the country, starting with families in the tri-state area and now helping parents nationwide create functional and organized children’s spaces. Founded in 2011 by mother-daughter duo, DDH has grown from a passion project into a multi-million dollar business, specializing in transforming chaotic children’s areas into organized, supportive environments.
Children’s spaces present unique organizational challenges that go far beyond simple tidiness. Whether you’re drowning in toy clutter or struggling with constant cleanup, this guide provides the tools and techniques our professional organizers have refined through years of transforming children’s spaces just like yours.
Understanding the Children’s Spaces Organization Challenge
Parents and caregivers face distinct organizational challenges when it comes to children’s belongings. Unlike adult spaces with relatively stable storage needs, children’s areas must accommodate constant change while remaining functional for developing minds and bodies.
The Unique Challenges Children’s Spaces Present
Developmental Evolution
Children’s needs, abilities, and interests change rapidly, requiring flexible organizational systems that can adapt without complete overhauls.
Multiple User Dynamics
Siblings with different ages, interests, and developmental stages must share storage solutions while maintaining individual accessibility.
Active Learning Environment
Children’s spaces must support creativity, learning, and independent play while maintaining a safe and orderly environment.
Safety Considerations
Organizational systems must protect children from hazardous items while ensuring age-appropriate materials remain accessible.
The DDH Methodology for Children’s Spaces
At DDH (Done & Done Home), we’ve developed a child-focused approach that addresses both immediate chaos and long-term developmental support challenges.
Our Five-Step Process for Children’s Spaces
Our proven five-step process provides a clear, practical path to transforming children’s areas, addressing clutter, developmental needs, and daily routines so your systems stay organized as children grow.
Here’s how our approach helps families create spaces that truly work for children’s development:
Step 1: Comprehensive Assessment
We evaluate how children actually use their spaces, observing play patterns, developmental stages, and identifying safety concerns alongside storage challenges.
Step 2: Strategic Planning
We create a customized organizational plan that considers each child’s developmental stage, interests, shared space dynamics, and safety requirements while supporting independence.
Step 3: Systematic Decluttering
Using age-appropriate techniques, we help families part with outgrown toys, broken items, and belongings that no longer serve children’s developmental goals, coordinating donations and safe disposal.
Step 4: Functional Organization
We organize remaining items with accessibility, safety, and developmental appropriateness in mind, creating designated homes that children can maintain independently.
Step 5: Maintenance Training
We teach both parents and children simple daily routines that keep spaces organized while building children’s responsibility and independence skills.
Age-Appropriate Organization Systems That Actually Work
Children’s organizational needs vary dramatically by developmental stage. Effective systems work with, not against, children’s natural abilities and interests.
Ages 2-4: Foundation Building
Priorities: Visual Organization Systems & Safety-First Storage
Organizational Strategies:
Picture labels on all containers and storage areas
Color-coded bins for different toy categories
Locked storage for small parts
Rounded corners and soft-close mechanisms
Visible storage that eliminates dangerous climbing
Ages 5-8: Independence Development
Priorities: Self-Directed Systems & Learning Support Organization
Organizational Strategies:
Designated spaces for ongoing projects
Personal responsibility charts and systems
Homework station with supplies within reach
Art supply organization with easy cleanup
Book storage organized by reading level
Category-based toy organization
Ages 9-12: Responsibility Building
Priorities: Personal Ownership Systems & Preparation for Teen Years
Organizational Strategies:
Project organization for hobbies and collections
Technology management and charging stations
Weekly room organization responsibilities
Privacy considerations in shared spaces
Study space optimization for concentration
Gradual transition to adult-style organization
Ages 13+: Independence Mastery
Priorities: Teen-Chosen Systems
Organizational Strategies:
Organizational methods that teenagers select and implement
Private storage areas for developing autonomy
Study spaces optimized for academic demands
Complete responsibility for space maintenance
Toy Rotation and Management Strategies
Toy rotation reduces clutter while maintaining children’s interest and engagement with their belongings. This system prevents overwhelm while ensuring children can focus on specific toys and activities.
The Three-Zone Rotation System
Dividing toys into three distinct zones helps manage inventory, encourages intentional play, and supports ongoing organization and evaluation.
Active Zone
Purpose: Daily play access
Duration: 2-3 weeks
Contents: Current favorite toys, activities, books
Storage Zone
Purpose: Rotation inventory
Duration: Varies
Contents: Toys waiting for next rotation, seasonal items
Evaluation Zone
Purpose: Assessment area
Duration: Monthly
Contents: Items to keep, donate, or repair
Category-Based Toy Organization
Grouping toys and materials by category allows for intuitive access, easier cleanup, and better support for developmental needs across different activities.
Building and Construction
Dedicated bins for different building systems (blocks, LEGO, magnetic tiles)Clear containers for easy identification and cleanupProject preservation areas for ongoing constructions
Creative and Art Supplies
Mobile art cart for mess containment and room flexibilitySupply organization by activity type (drawing, painting, crafting)Regular inventory and restocking of consumable supplies
Active Play Equipment
Seasonal rotation based on weather and space availabilitySafety checks and maintenance schedulesStorage solutions that accommodate equipment size changes
Books and Educational Materials
Reading level organization supporting literary developmentTopic-based groupings for research and interest-based learningRegular age-appropriate content updates
Room-Specific Solutions for Different Children’s Areas
Every children’s space has unique challenges and opportunities. Use these targeted solutions to make each area more functional and developmentally supportive.
Playroom Organization
An effective playroom layout supports active play, quiet time, and creativity through clear zones and accessible, child-friendly storage systems.
Active Play Zone
Strategy: Open floor space with stored equipment
Implementation: Rolling bins for balls, ride-on toys, and large equipment
Quiet Activities Area
Strategy: Contained spaces for reading and puzzles
Implementation: Comfortable seating with nearby book and puzzle storage
Creative Corner
Strategy: Mess-contained art and building activities
Strategy: Category-based organization with visual systems
Implementation: Labeled bins, picture guides, and child-height accessibility
Bedroom Organization for Rest and Play
A well-organized bedroom balances rest, privacy, and productivity by creating calm sleep environments and functional personal spaces for each child.
Sleep Environment Priorities
Clear pathways for nighttime safetyLight-blocking storage for quality sleepComfort items are easily accessible but organizedTechnology charging stations away from sleep areas
Personal Space Balance
Individual storage for each child in shared roomsPrivacy considerations appropriate to ageDisplay areas for personal treasures and achievementsStudy or homework areas with proper lighting and supplies
Creating Systems That Grow With Your Children
A sustainable children’s organization needs adaptable systems that can respond to changing developmental needs without necessitating a complete overhaul every few months.
Adaptable Storage Solutions
Flexible storage solutions make it easy to adjust layouts, capacities, and access as children grow and their needs evolve.
Adjustable Systems
Shelving with moveable brackets accommodating height changesModular storage bins that can be reconfiguredFurniture that transitions from toy storage to teen organizationLabels that can be updated as interests and abilities change
Growth Accommodation Strategies
Storage capacity planning for expanding collectionsSafety feature transitions as children matureIndependence skill-building integrated into organizational systemsRegular assessment schedules to adjust systems proactively
Maintenance Routines Children Can Follow
Teaching children to maintain organized spaces not only builds life skills but also reduces the parents’ workload. Age-appropriate maintenance routines create habits that last into adulthood.
Daily Maintenance (5-10 minutes by age)
Ages 2-4
Daily Tasks: Put toys in designated bins, books in a basket
Parent Support Level: High (parent guidance and help)
Ages 5-8
Daily Tasks: Complete toy cleanup, prepare next day’s clothes
Parent Support Level: Medium (parent reminders and spot checks)
Ages 9-12
Daily Tasks: Full room reset, homework area organization
Parent Support Level: Low (independence with weekly check-ins)
Ages 13+
Daily Tasks: Personal space maintenance, laundry management
Parent Support Level: Minimal (troubleshooting only when requested)
Weekly Organization (15-30 minutes)
Family Organization Time
Toy rotation assessment and swappingClothing size and season evaluationArt supply restocking and organizationRoom deep cleaning and maintenance
Individual Responsibility Building
Personal item inventory and decision-makingOrganization system evaluation and adjustmentsGoal setting for maintaining organized spacesCelebration of organizational successes
Monthly Deep Organization (1-2 hours)
Developmental Assessment
Toy and activity age-appropriateness reviewSafety evaluation as children growInterest change accommodation and storage adjustmentsSkill development celebration and new challenge introduction
When to Consider A Professional Organizer
While many families can improve children’s organization independently, professional assistance becomes valuable when developmental complexity, multiple children, or repeated system failures create overwhelming situations.
Consider professional organizing assistance when:
Multiple failed attempts have created family frustration and resistance
Developmental differences between children make standard systems ineffective
Safety concerns arise from disorganized or inappropriate storage
Time constraints prevent consistent implementation and maintenance
Special needs considerations require customized organizational approaches
Professional organizers provide developmental expertise, safety assessment experience, family dynamic understanding, and maintenance training that support long-term success.
Transform Your Children’s Development with DDH
Organizing children’s spaces effectively requires understanding both child development principles and proven organizational systems. DDH has spent over a decade helping families transform children’s areas into functional, safe environments that support growth, creativity, and independence. Our team understands the unique challenges families face in creating organized spaces that truly help children’s development. We have developed solutions for every type of children’s space and family dynamic throughout the tri-state area and beyond.
Ready to transform your children’s spaces into organized, developmentally supportive areas that reduce stress and build independence? Contact our team today for a free consultation to discover how our proven methodology can work for your family’s unique organizing challenges.
