Teresa Dinneen is a mom of two who lives with her husband and kids in Redondo Beach, CA. She’s also a professional organizer and stylist who works with a team of five to simplify her clients’ homes, and lives, and along the way shares her secrets on her Lifestyled site. This time of year, we’re all about doing just that, so we asked Teresa for some of her best tips for getting organized, including her simple 6-part process and when to know you need help!
Can you tell us a bit about your family and your Redondo Beach life?
I have a daughter named Gracen who just started 2nd grade and a son named Hudson who is so happy to be in Kindergarten and at school with his big sister. Since we live at the beach we love spending the weekends with friends at the beach, or riding our bikes to dinner. We love our little south bay community and are lucky to call this place home.
How did you get into organizing – and what does your work encompass?
I honestly think organizing found me, rather than me knowing this would be my career path. I started my career in fashion and spent 20 years doing fashion sales for companies like Quiksilver, JBrand and TOMS. Yet on the side, I would always organize my friends’ closets and style them for nights out or vacations. When I had my daughter, I went back to work after maternity leave and tried to jump back into the corporate world but was really struggling with the schedule and lack of flexibility as a new mom. I never saw Gracen and knew that wasn’t the way I wanted to raise my kids. That is when I really looked into my passions and my skills and knew it was time to start organizing and styling for myself, as my job! I started my company Estilo, solely as a closet organizer and stylist. But the more closets I organized the more clients would ask if I could organize other areas of their homes. That is when I realized I needed to re-work my business plan and expand my offerings. That is when Lifestyled started! I currently have a team of five employees and we offer thoughtful organization and styling services to help simplify your life.
What are the most important things to keep in mind when you’re overwhelmed and want to “get organized”?
Start small! Don’t set unrealistic organization goals, like saying you’re going to organize your entire garage in one day. Believe me, that won’t happen and then you’re only going to get frustrated, overwhelmed and quit halfway through which leaves you with more of a mess than you started with. Again, start small! Start with one drawer in your kitchen or one small space that bugs you the most. Once you accomplish that, then move onto bigger spaces.
Do you have a process you go through in every room?
Why is styling your space so important?
How has COVID changed how your clients think of organization?
Who is a great candidate to use a professional organizer?
What is the biggest myth about home organizing?
Anything else you’d like to share?
Organization is my passion, so it doesn’t have to be yours!
- In-person or virtual consultation
- Complete wardrobe edit
- Closet organization of kept items
- Shopping list to fill in any missing pieces
Here’s to living a life…styled! Follow along on Instagram @teresa.lifestyled for more helpful organization tips.