BACK TO SCHOOL — BACK TO YOU Decluttering + Organizing Reset Checklist
Get to Know
The Organized House
The Organized House is a professional home organizing and decluttering service in Portland, Oregon. We focus on making everyday homes easier to live in. From laundry piles and kid gear to overstuffed kitchens, pantries, and garages that collect it all—we help you sort through the clutter and create organizing systems that last. Our goal is simple: to give you back time, space, and peace of mind.
MEET MICHELLE Urban
PROFESSIONAL HOME ORGANIZER
OWNER OF THE ORGANIZED HOUSE
Hi, I’m Michelle Urban — founder of The Organized House and a professional home organizer based in Lake Oswego, Oregon. I started this work in 2012 after realizing how much lighter life feels when your home actually supports your daily routines. Since then, I’ve helped families all over the Portland metro area declutter, organize, and set up systems that last well beyond our sessions.
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I’m also the author of Clearing Clutter, Creating Joy, where I share my philosophy that organizing isn’t about perfection — it’s about creating a home that works for the life you’re really living. Over the years, my work has been featured in local and national media, but what matters most to me is making organizing approachable, practical, and sustainable for busy households. Whether it’s a garage packed with gear, a pantry that never seems to stay neat, or a playroom that doubles as a toy store, I love building systems that help families feel more at ease in their spaces.
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Outside of work, I’m usually with my husband and our two kids — or working my way through a very tall stack of unread books. Coffee fuels me, sunshine grounds me, and a good docuseries is my favorite way to hit pause.
Organizing with Intention and Heart
At The Organized House, we provide hands-on decluttering and organizing services designed to help you move from “I don’t know where to start” to “I can finally breathe in my space.” Every project begins with a clear plan and ends with systems that make daily life smoother. Our work spans a wide range of spaces and situations:
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Kitchens, pantries, and closets
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Garages and storage areas
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Playrooms, bathrooms, and laundry rooms
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Moves and renovations
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Supporting you through life transitions
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Seasonal refreshes and home resets
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Our Approach to Decluttering and Organizing
Our goal isn’t just to make your home look neat for a week — it’s to create professional organizing solutions that last. From the containers we recommend to the way we set up zones, every detail is designed to give you decluttering systems you can actually maintain. The result? A home that’s easier to manage and more enjoyable to live in.​
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Function first: every system works with your daily life.
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Clear boundaries: so things don’t pile up again.
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Visual flow: organized spaces that feel calm and inviting.
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Sustainability: systems you can easily maintain.
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Room to grow: flexible enough to grow with your family.
When You’re Ready to Simplify — We're here for you
Our clients are people who want their homes to feel manageable again. We work with families balancing busy schedules, professionals short on time, and anyone ready to simplify their everyday routines. If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place:
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You’re tired of hunting for things you know you own
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You overbuy because you can’t see what you already have
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You want to declutter, but you never know where to begin
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You spend a ridiculous amount of time tidying up
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You’ve tried getting organized before, but it never lasts​
Follow us on Instagram for organizing ideas that work
We post most of our home organizing projects on Instagram. This is where we discuss our organizing process, break down the before and after progress, and often give organizing tips and product recommendations. Overall, it's a spot to find organizing inspiration.
