Behind the Scenes of a Garage + Workshop Makeover with a Professional Organizer in Pittsburgh
If you’re feeling stuck with parts of your home that don’t quite reflect your vision, you’re not alone. As a professional organizer based in Pittsburgh, PA, I meet people every day who truly love their homes - but feel weighed down by clutter, disorganization, or spaces that just aren’t working the way they need to be. That’s exactly where our home organizing concierge services come in.
One recent client - a local real estate professional - reached out to us after being referred by a colleague. She adored her home. It was a beautiful space, a true sanctuary for her and her family. But over time, a few areas had become a source of stress. The garage had become too full to park in. A recently added workshop was turning into a bit of a catch-all. And the storage room housed holiday decor and meaningful family keepsakes mixed in with items they no longer needed.
This isn’t unusual. Life gets busy, things pile up, and even the most thoughtfully designed spaces can stop functioning well over time. Fortunately, we knew just how to help this client and her family. Their goals were clear: calm, function, and yes - finally getting a car back in the garage. (Spoiler: we made room for two!)
Come along for a behind-the-scenes look at how it all came together - and what working with our team looks like in action.
Step 1: Thoughtful Planning with a Concierge Touch
At Simplified Professional Organizing, we take a concierge-style approach to whole home organization. That means we handle every detail - from space planning and sourcing organizing products to coordinating vendors and overseeing installations - so our clients can stay focused on what matters most to them.
During our initial walkthrough, we honed in on three interconnected spaces to focus on: the garage, the workshop, and the storage room. Tackling all three together would have the biggest impact, especially since items like tools and seasonal decor often overlapped between them.
We built on the strong foundations our clients already had - existing shelving, wall systems, and a large work table - then designed fresh layouts incorporating new metal cabinetry and work surfaces. Every zone in each of the three spaces was given a purpose: business items, holiday storage, outdoor gear, woodworking, 3D printing supplies. We designed custom systems to support the full range of this family’s hobbies and projects, and were thrilled to bring their vision to life so they could enjoy these areas in the way they imagined.
Step 2: Making it Happen with White Glove Execution
We understand how precious your time and energy are - especially for busy professionals and families constantly moving between work, school, and everything in between. That’s why we take a flexible, client-centered approach to every project.
Some of our clients prefer being hands-on, making decisions and organizing alongside us in real time while we work in their homes. But for many others, that’s simply not practical - and that’s exactly why we offer a seamless, “do-it-for-me” experience too.
It all starts with asking the right questions and getting to know your routines, preferences, and pain points. From there, we take the lead - developing a clear plan and executing it with care, so you can focus on what matters most (and skip the nitty-gritty details, unless you want to be involved with them).
For this project, our clients shared their vision with us, then entrusted our team to handle the transformation from start to finish. Over several sessions, our team of organizers tackled every detail, including:
Decluttering and downsizing all three spaces
Creating intuitive zones with labeled storage
Coordinating junk removal and donation drop offs
Sourcing high-quality products from multiple retailers
Overseeing cabinetry installation and other vendor work
Troubleshooting quirky items - like a jumbo-sized Halloween skeleton whose torso couldn’t fit through a closet door (true story!)
We started by sorting every item into clear categories, making it easier for the family to decide what to keep, donate, recycle, or toss. Everything was labeled and staged for review when their schedule allowed - streamlining the process and making decisions feel less overwhelming.
To maximize the workshop, we measured the space and designed a layout that included work tables in various sizes and durable metal cabinetry. A fixed 3D printing station and a mobile worktable would give the family both structure and flexibility to move things around for future projects.
In the garage, we installed vertical hooks to lift gear off the floor, opening up valuable shelf space. In the workshop, we added pegboards to organize tools - creating a feature wall that’s both functional and visually clean.
Every storage solution was customized to blend function with aesthetics - so the finished result not only works beautiful, but looks great too.
Step 3: A Fully Transformed Space
By the end of the project, the change was dramatic:
Two cars now fit inside the garage
The workshop cabinetry is installed, organized, and fully usable
The storage room is accessible and clearly labeled
Everyone in the family can enjoy their hobbies easily - with lots of open floor and table space to do it!
As we wrapped up, we printed and applied over 100 custom labels across the newly organized zones. Labels are the secret to maintaining organizational systems long-term, which is why we include custom labels with every project. This client chose a playful, yet sophisticated, font for the labels in her storage spaces, which added a touch of fun to those practical areas. In the workshop, we used small, subtle black labels intended to blend seamlessly into the cabinetry while still providing helpful visual cues.
And best of all? Our clients didn’t have to put their family life or work schedules on hold to make all of this happen. We handled the details and streamlined the decision-making process so they could stay focused on their day-to-day and what matters most.
Why Organizing Projects Like This Matter
For busy families, the greatest gift of an organized home isn’t just clear shelves - it’s reclaimed time. A project like this could have easily stretched over months if tackled alone. But thanks to our incredible clients - who were focused, decisive, and fully committed to making meaningful progress - we were able to help them complete it in just a few efficient sessions.
Their willingness to dive in, trust the process, and make quick, thoughtful decisions made all the difference. It was a great partnership, and we were honored to help bring their vision to life. It’s always such a joy to see a client’s face light up when they come home after a long day and walk into their newly transformed space.
That’s the power of working with a professional organizer in Pittsburgh who specializes in full-service, whole-home transformations. We don’t just declutter - we design systems, solve problems, manage all the moving parts, and most importantly, deliver peace of mind.
Preparing for a Move?
We also specialize in moving services and downsizing help in Pittsburgh and beyond. If you’re getting ready to relocate, our team can help you streamline the process - from decluttering, staging, and packing to unpacking and setting up your new home - so your transition feels smooth and stress-free. Imagine moving into your new home without lifting a finger - our team at Simplified Professional Organizing makes that magic happen. Getting ready to sell your home? Check out another recent blog post for tips on decluttering and staging like a pro!
Is It Your Turn?
Whether it’s a garage, a workshop, or your entire home, our organizing and moving services are designed to help you feel less overwhelmed - without the never-ending to-do list.
Schedule your complimentary intro call today! Let’s talk about your goals and how we can bring your dream spaces to life.
Curious about what our process was like from the client’s perspective? Check out her full review here.
Hi there! I’m Kristen, and I’m a professional organizer and owner of Simplified Professional Organizing in Pittsburgh, PA. My team and I absolutely love helping people simplify their homes, businesses, and day-to-day lives. No matter where you’re at in your organizing journey, we’re here to help.
Click HERE to schedule a complimentary consultation to talk about how we can help you eliminate the overwhelm and reclaim space in life for what truly matters most!
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