In many areas, especially urban, space is a premium, so organizing small spaces has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity. From cramped city apartments to cozy tiny homes, the challenge of maximizing every square inch is a universal one. Recently, Closets & Organized Storage magazine spoke with Dr. Regina Lark, a professional organizer with a unique perspective, to understand the complexities surrounding small space solutions.

Dr. Lark holds a Ph.D. in U.S. History and is a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) and a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization (CPO-CD). She is the author of several books, including Psychic Debris, Crowded Closets: The Relationship between the Stuff in your Head and What’s Under Your Bed.

Her experience and training allow her to transform how people think about organization and productivity by revealing the connection between brain science and behavior. She helps clients understand how their brain’s executive function impacts everything from decluttering decisions to daily productivity.

Blending her academic background in women’s history with neuroscience training, Dr. Lark brings a unique perspective to modern challenges. Through her company, A Clear Path, she’s spent more than 15 years helping individuals and organizations create sustainable systems that work with their natural patterns.

Her journey to becoming a professional organizer is as unconventional as it is inspiring. With a background in women’s history and higher education, she stumbled upon her true calling during a visit to a friend in Jerusalem, and helped reorganize the cabinetry and other areas to better fit the space. “I’m wired that way in the brain,” she explained, describing her innate ability to organize and declutter. This natural talent, coupled with a layoff during the 2008 recession, propelled her into the world of professional organizing, leading to the creation of her company, A Clear Path.

One of the most significant misconceptions people have about organizing small spaces, according to Dr. Lark, is a lack of spatial awareness. Many individuals struggle to visualize how items should fit within a given space and often succumb to the temptation of overstuffing. “They don’t really have a sense of what should go in there,” she stated, highlighting the importance of understanding the relationship between items and their designated space.

To combat this, Dr. Lark emphasizes the importance of easy access and visual clarity. She advises against deep closets and shelves that render items inaccessible, advocating for solutions that allow for effortless retrieval and storage. “Don’t make spaces too deep,” she warned, pointing out a common design flaw that forces consumers to seek additional, often unnecessary, storage solutions.

Instead, she suggests utilizing clear bins and containers to create a visual inventory of stored items, making locating and retrieving them easier. Additionally, she stresses the importance of maximizing wall space by using floating shelves and over-the-door organizers, transforming otherwise unused areas into valuable storage solutions.

The concept of multi-functional furniture also plays a crucial role in optimizing small spaces. Dr. Lark advocates for pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as ottoman storage and modular furniture, allowing for efficient use of limited space. “Anything that’s going to help you increase space in your place,” she asserted, underscoring the value of furniture that adapts to the needs of a small living environment.

However, the most critical aspect of organizing small spaces lies in the ability to declutter effectively. Dr. Lark emphasizes the emotional component of clutter, acknowledging that many items hold sentimental value. “We decide that it has a value,” she explained, urging individuals to reevaluate their attachment to possessions. She encourages setting clear boundaries and making tough decisions, emphasizing that clutter often originates from the decision to bring items into a space without a designated home.

For closet designers and organizers alike, Dr. Lark recommends focusing on the client’s lifestyle and needs rather than merely creating storage solutions. She advocates for a collaborative approach, where professional organizers work alongside designers to understand the challenges cluttered individuals face. “Let go of that which no longer serves you, and then see what we have, and then see what we need,” she advised, highlighting the importance of decluttering before designing.

By understanding clutter’s emotional and practical aspects, individuals can transform their small spaces into organized, functional, and inviting homes.

To learn more, visit aclearpath.net.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Regina Lark will be a keynote speaker at the 2025 Closets Conference & Expo in June. Visit closetscon.com to register.