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April 30, 2025

Chaos to Calm: Top 5 Organization Tips with The Organizer Chicks | Modern Storage® Unpacked

Episode Summary

Modern Storage® sit down with Amber Taggard, founder of The Organizer Chicks, to dig into why so many Americans are overwhelmed by clutter and what to do about it. Amber shares her top five organization tips for tackling problem areas like overstuffed closets and chaotic garages, along with practical advice on knowing when to bring in extra storage support. If you have been putting off getting your space under control, this episode gives you a clear starting point.

Key Takeaways

1

Clutter is a widespread problem, and understanding why it builds up is the first step toward solving it.

2

Targeted organization strategies for specific spaces like closets and garages can make the process feel manageable instead of overwhelming.

3

Self storage can be a practical tool in an organization plan when used with intention rather than as a last resort.

Episode Notes

In this episode of Modern Storage® Unpacked, Modern Storage® welcome Amber Taggard, the founder of The Organizer Chicks, a professional organizing business dedicated to helping people clear the chaos from their homes and lives. Amber brings years of hands-on experience helping clients sort through overwhelming amounts of stuff, and she arrives with both empathy and expertise. The conversation centers on what she calls America's stuff problem — the reality that most households have accumulated far more than they can comfortably manage, and the emotional and physical toll that takes on everyday life. Amber walks listeners through her top five organization tips, offering practical guidance that goes well beyond the typical advice to declutter. She addresses the psychology behind why people hold onto things, how to build organizational systems that actually stick, and what to do when a space feels so far gone that you do not know where to start. Her approach is grounded and realistic, acknowledging that getting organized is not a one-day project for most people but a process that requires patience and a clear plan. Modern Storage® connect Amber's insights to the self storage industry, exploring how storage units can play a meaningful role in the organization journey. Rather than treating storage as a place where clutter goes to be forgotten, Amber reframes it as a transitional tool — a way to create space at home while working through larger decisions about belongings. This perspective is especially relevant for self storage operators and customers who want to use their units more intentionally and get real value from the rental. The episode also touches on common trouble spots like overstuffed closets, disorganized garages, and cluttered living areas that creep up over years of accumulation. Amber shares the warning signs that a space has crossed from manageable mess to genuine disorganization, and she offers specific first steps for each scenario. Her advice is accessible to renters and homeowners alike, making the episode broadly useful for anyone feeling buried under their belongings. For self storage industry professionals, this episode offers a compelling look at the customer mindset. Understanding why people struggle with clutter and what drives them to seek storage solutions can help operators better serve their communities and market their facilities with more empathy and relevance. Amber's expertise shines a light on the emotional side of storage that often goes unaddressed in industry conversations. Whether you are a professional organizer, a self storage operator, or simply someone trying to get their home under control, this episode delivers genuine value. Amber Taggard brings the kind of straightforward, judgment-free guidance that makes the idea of getting organized feel possible rather than overwhelming, and Modern Storage® make sure the conversation stays grounded in real-world application throughout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the topics covered in this episode.

What are the top tips a professional organizer would give someone with a cluttered garage or storage unit?

A professional organizer like Amber Taggard of The Organizer Chicks typically starts by sorting everything into categories before making any decisions about what stays or goes. From there, the focus shifts to keeping only what is used, useful, or genuinely meaningful, and then creating a system where everything has a designated place. The key is building a repeatable process rather than doing a one-time purge that falls apart within a few months.

How do I actually decide what to put in a self storage unit versus what to get rid of?

The most effective filter is asking whether an item serves a clear, foreseeable purpose in your life, not just a vague someday scenario. Self storage works well for seasonal items, transitional belongings during a move or life change, or things with genuine long-term value that simply do not fit your current space. If you cannot name a specific reason you will need something within the next year or two, it is worth reconsidering whether storage is the right answer or whether letting it go makes more sense.

Why do so many people's self storage units become disorganized dumping grounds instead of useful spaces?

Without a plan going in, most people load a storage unit the same way they would throw things into a spare bedroom: randomly, without a system, and with the intention of sorting it out later. That later rarely comes, and the unit becomes hard to navigate or use. Professional organizers emphasize that the habits and decisions you bring to a storage unit matter just as much as the unit itself.

As a self storage facility operator, how can I help my customers use their units more effectively?

Providing educational content, move-in tips, or partnerships with professional organizers can significantly improve the customer experience and reduce the frustration that leads to early move-outs. Customers who understand how to organize their units well tend to feel more in control of their belongings and more satisfied with the facility overall. Episodes like this one from Modern Storage® are an example of the kind of resource that bridges the gap between renting a unit and actually getting value from it.

What is the psychological reason it is so hard to get rid of clutter even when you want to?

Clutter often carries emotional weight because people attach memories, identity, and a sense of obligation to their possessions, making it feel like discarding an object means discarding something about themselves or dishonoring a relationship. Decision fatigue also plays a major role, since making dozens of small keep-or-toss decisions in a row is genuinely mentally exhausting. Professional organizers help clients work through both the practical and emotional sides of letting go, which is why having a structured framework makes the process far more manageable.

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