10 Questions with a Professional Organizer

An Atlanta resident of over 30 years, Carrie Peeples’s expertise makes her uniquely qualified to streamline our spaces — a combination of beauty and pragmatism. After racking up a fine art education, followed by years of experience in technology and luxury sales, she landed on the perfect balance.

Since she founded NeatSmart in 2012, Carrie has been organizing spaces professionally and educating folks on how to maintain them. “I always wanted to find a way to merge my artistic eye with my vision for creating order and smart functionality,” says Carrie. “I love elevating what is practical to a luxury experience.”

We got to pick Carrie’s brain for her favorite organizing tips, products, and sources of inspiration — plus a few trends that aren’t worth our time.

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Have you always had an affinity for organization?

Considering I was always rearranging my grandmother’s makeup shelf every chance I got, I’m going to say yes … I’m a chronic straightener, which has gotten me in trouble a few times.

I just want a space to look its best and be functional. It’s not compulsive like OCD, but I see organization potential like Haley Joel Osment saw ghosts in The Sixth Sense.

What does a typical week look like for you?

No week is exactly the same, which I love. I am usually in my home office one day a week and then bouncing between client assessments and sessions the rest of the time.

I have some clients that I work with on a regular basis, but I am always eager to get newly moved-in and recently renovated homes organized. I also love helping fresh empty-nesters who finally have some time to breathe and figure out what they want to do with their newly available spaces.

 

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Do you have a short list of essential organizational principles that you always stick to?

I truly identify with the William Morris quote, “Have nothing in your home you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Our homes should be a reflection of who we are and what we love.

You don’t have to be a minimalist or have your soup can labels facing the same way to be organized. You should just be intentional about what you have. It should have meaning for YOU.

THESE ARE MY TOP THREE TIPS:

• Edit first.
• Prime real estate in your home is for the things you use most often.
• Simple storage is best.

What are your go-to supplies for organization?

• Like any professional organizer worth their salt, a label maker and tape measure, always.
• Proper hangers for your clothing. Hint: It’s probably not a velvet hanger.
• Clear bins or baskets in a pantry.
• Hooks for bags.
• Drawer organizers for kitchens and bathrooms — otherwise, everything runs together.
• Multipurpose bins for cleaning supplies and extra grocery bags. Keep one in your car for grocery bags.
• I love the versatility of ELFA for new closet systems.

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For folks determined to organize their spaces for the first time in 2025 — what’s the first step?

Deciding to get the space organized truly is the first step. It has to happen intentionally.

You want to declutter BEFORE you organize. There is no point in making room for things you do not intend or need to keep. Focus on eliminating trash on your first round and you’ll increase your motivation to keep going.

Also, organizing the high-traffic spaces delivers the highest impact on your happiness and sense of contentment. Getting your pantry, kitchen, bathroom, and closet in order makes the biggest difference in how you feel in your home. They are not the easiest spaces to organize on your own, but the payoff is exhilarating.

And for established organizers, what’s the coolest hack you’ve learned recently?

Use a hair dryer to remove sticky labels, not Goo-gone.

Marie Kondo popularized the question, “Does it spark joy?” Do you have your own mantra for purging?

I have a series of questions I ask clients depending on what they are decluttering, but “Do you love it?” stops a lot of people. It’s amazing how often they answer “no.” It’s like they needed permission to say they don’t love it and don’t want it.

Focus on easy decisions first. The ability to purge is a muscle that not a lot of people have exercised. Start small and build from there. That’s why I say to start with trash. If you eliminate that first, you can focus on harder decisions because you’ve worked that muscle.

I’m grateful to Marie Kondo for the attention that she brought to home organization, but I didn’t feel like her book was practical or doable for most people. I am not a fan of highly stylized “organizing.” Who has time to color code their snacks and make sure the labels all face the same way?

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Thinking beyond our homes, do you have any favorite tips for staying organized on the go — cars, purses, suitcases?

I am obsessed with all kinds of containers, including bags! A large purse with no pockets is like your garage in that it ends up with a lot of extra stuff to rummage through and zero structure. A wallet is a necessity, but you may also need a bag for pens and paper, bandaids, mints, or receipts. I love these zipper bags and use them all the time.

Contain similar items together, whether it’s for your purse or traveling. I have separate bags for dental care, hair care, makeup, and underwear when I travel. If you’re traveling to a lot of different locations, travel cubes are a great way to live out of your suitcase without having to completely repack each time you change hotels.

I traveled constantly for work in my corporate life and always kept duplicate cosmetics and hair care in my suitcase. Also, always leave a bathing suit and flip-flops in your suitcase. You never know when a spa will be available.

Where do you find inspiration?

I love following artists like @augustawilson, @katherinesandoz, and @kateschelter on Instagram and find their work so inspiring.

Huff Harrington is one of my favorite stores in Atlanta because they also have a lovely art gallery on the second floor. I would move into the Ann Mashburn boutique in Atlanta tomorrow if I could. I need to see beauty, love visiting museums, and never miss a Decorator’s Showhouse.

Some of my favorite blogs are Habitually Chic, Gretchen Rubin, and James Clear.

What’s your favorite misconception or trend that you love to debunk?

Anything that Goop or a Kardashian says about organization — who are they kidding? They have staff that organizes for them.

One thing I struggle with is having an Instagram account where I post links to products. People do ask for links, and I’m happy to share them, even if it’s my shoes or a pair of earrings — [but] I don’t agree with how frictionless our shopping has become; we don’t even have time to think before purchasing. I miss the days of wandering a mall and looking at store windows or flipping through an actual paper magazine for inspiration.

Thanks for the incredible tips, Carrie! 

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