Decluttering Devon: Jasmine Sleigh, Professional Organiser
I can’t get enough of TV programmes about decluttering: that glimpse into other people’s lives and living habits; the link that gets uncovered between past life events and hoarding habits; the magic that the professional declutters work, and the happy ending of houses and lives transformed by the process. Epic stuff!
So I was delighted to meet with Devon’s very own professional organiser Jasmine Sleigh, to find out more about the reality of decluttering. What exactly does the job entail and is it the same as it is on the telly?
Jasmine runs Change Your Space, a professional organising service registered with the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers UK (APDOuk). You’ll notice I said Change Your Space is an organising service – Jasmine told me that she does not like the words declutterer, decluttering or even clutter, because it has a perjorative tone, insensitive to the fact that this ‘clutter’ is someone’s personal belongings, and may once have been cherished and a bit part of their lives.
I was certainly struck by Jasmine’s sensitivity to the individual and their feelings in her accounts of the work she does. She works with clients on all ends of the ‘clutter’ spectrum, from serious hoarders whose inability to throw anything out is putting their lives at risk – Jasmine works with the Fire and Rescue Service and other agencies to help make such homes safe – to those who just lead busy lives and need a bit of help getting their houses and possessions in order. Each case is individual, and must be led by the client – Jasmine sees her job more as an enabler than someone who just comes in and takes charge.
And no, it’s not like on the telly. Where possessions and particularly papers have built up so high they cannot be moved in one fell swoop, but little by little, otherwise avalanches happen and the person gets left in a potentially more dangerous position than they were at the start of the process. There are also not so many tears or as much drama. Jasmine told me of TV producers urging for approaches that will make someone cry, as it makes good viewing, but in real life that does not really happen, as the organiser works empathetically with the client, and knows when to take a step back and when to push forward without upset. So all in all it is a much slower, gentler process.
That is not to say great results can not be achieved in a short time. Jasmine recommends that new clients book a three hour session with her, in which time tangible results can be achieved, and which also gives an insight into Jasmine’s working method. Unlike some organising companies, which require you to book a block of sessions, Jasmine is happy to offer one off sessions, as and when the client requires it.
Jasmine sees the service she offers as just that, a service, in the same sense as an ironing service, or booking a painter and decorator, or financial advice. Perhaps because of the TV programmes, people might have a sense of shame at booking a decluttering service, but Jasmine sets out to debunk these notions – people simply have busier lives, and more stuff than ever before, and just need help sometimes getting their homes and possessions in order, in a way that works for them.
Now I’ve gone through a decluttering journey myself now my children have grown up and left home, and I’ve moved from a family home to living in a flat, and think that I’m pretty good at it, ahem, but I do have my sticking points (books/old academic work). I asked Jasmine what she can offer that a person couldn’t do themselves. She explained how different it is working with other people’s belongings and homes than your own; being neutral allows you to see much more clearly what would make the biggest impact in terms of changing the space for the better. People get used to what they live with so much that they often can’t even see or know what they have, and sometimes a fresh pair of eyes is all that is needed.
It was certainly fascinating talking to Jasmine, and I wished I had more clutter so that I could invite her around for a session at mine. But if any of my readers in Devon or Cornwall are looking for some help in the decluttering/organising department, I thoroughly recommend you giving Jasmine a call (and coming back and letting me know how you got on!).
I also recommend you checking out a great interview with Jasmine on The Design Sheppard blog (a fab interior design blog, also based in the South West), and this video below tells you more about Jasmine and Change Your Space.
Thanks to Jasmine for inviting me to meet with her, and telling me all about Change Your Space and her work decluttering Devon and Cornwall. She can be contacted on or email
Really interesting. I remember reading about the Association of Professional De-clutterers and Organisers earlier this year. It’s one of the problems I hear the most when doing design consultations, lack of storage. Most of the time, it’s not lack of storage, it’s because there is just too much “stuff”.
I agree. I’ve followed lots of approaches, and the one that worked best for me was Marie Kondo’s, which focuses not on organising what we have, but first paring down to what ‘gives us joy’. I spoke to Jasmine about this, but she did not think one method suited all, and for some people an ‘all in one go’ approach just wouldn’t work. I see the points of both, and guess it is just whatever you feel most comfortable with.
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on November 11, 2015 at 9:03 pm
A good review can scale back belongings by 1/3 so instantly you have more space to be more creative with. Tell your clients that an Organising Session should be seen as part of the whole project. Good luck!
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on November 5, 2015 at 7:39 pm
Such a good piece Molly and really insightful. Thanks for linking to the interview I did with Jasmine too. Right now as my flat is full of toys and baby stuff I really feel the need to declutter. I’m starting small and getting rid of decorative things that serve no purpose and that I no longer like.
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Your interview was so good Stacey that there wasn’t a lot I could add! so thought I would just concentrate on the overall impression I got from meeting with Jasmine – though I’m sure there is a lot I left out! Good luck with your declutter – perhaps you could just store away some stuff till the baby clutter subsides (in x years’ time ;))
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on November 11, 2015 at 9:05 pm
Clever storage here, and not even clever, but labelled lidded boxes with supplies to be brought out when you need them. Containerise, label, stack away. Good luck!
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on November 5, 2015 at 10:52 pm
What an interesting read! I’m a dreadful hoarder, but am beginning to see the error of my ways and am gradually trying to declutter. It’s hard though!
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Awh thanks Rachel. I used to keep everything, but a few house moves forced my hand, and then I totally got the decluttering bug. It is so much nicer and calmer with less stuff, but I know it is hard at the start to part with things. Good luck!
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on November 11, 2015 at 9:08 pm
About 50% of my work is with those who chronically hoard and so I may uniquely appreciate the challenge you have with a sort out. There is lots and lots of great advice and techniques to aid the process but in short just embark on a task that is about reviewing what you have (and not getting rid) and you will feel more at ease straight away. Even if you get it all out of the cupboard and put it all back ti will take up slightly less space efficiently stored. Good luck and find me if you need some assistance.
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on November 6, 2015 at 9:20 am
OMG! Can you send her round to mine to tackle my boyfriend’s trainers and clothes. They are always spilling out of his wardrobe driving me mad.
hehe, that’s why I live on my own 😉
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on November 11, 2015 at 9:10 pm
So much to write here about couples sorting spaces together but I will just give you a practical tip. Underbed storage containers for shoes. The chaps like a container they chuck shoes into and it slides away out of the way!
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on November 7, 2015 at 4:29 pm
I could really do with this for Pete, he’s a chronic hoarder and when I say it’s time for a sort out he just takes all his stuff and shoves it in drawers and cupboards. Definitely better to be streamlined when it comes to possessions I think X #HomeEtc
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I definitely agree that less is more, but it took me a long time to come to that conclusion in regard to my possessions. I know Marie Kondo (my other decluttering guru) says not to try and declutter someone else’s stuff, but lead by example and the effects rub off on them?
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on November 7, 2015 at 8:37 pm
Yes if only!! 10 years and my leading by example has had zero effect 😉 X
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on November 11, 2015 at 9:12 pm
See earlier comment, but I spent a lot of time with those who find a sort out difficult and we always find a way. We are all motivated by a positive rather than a negative, so there has to be a reason to scale back the belongings or a reward! We are simple beings really. Email me if you want more detailed advice but there are great techniques to take the pain out of the process! Good luck.
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on November 8, 2015 at 5:28 pm
Aaah I NEED this kind of organisation in my own home Molly!! I often feel totally overwhelmed by how MUCH stuff — and how little storage — we seem to have. This is the biggest house we’ve owned but every time we move we seem to have accumulated double the contents!! 🙂 xx
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I think stuff just expands to fill the space – the more space, the more stuff! Good luck if you start decluttering 🙂
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on November 15, 2015 at 7:33 pm
YES!! I agree — we grow to fit our space… a bit like goldfish in a tank!! 😉
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on November 11, 2015 at 9:14 pm
I want to come round! Break it down to what you want from your home – is it fulfilling that role? Then have that vision in mind when starting any sort. If you have a specific area to tackle, simply email me and I will send a specific tip sheet for you to get your started and make changes without too much angst! Good luck!
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on November 15, 2015 at 7:40 pm
Haha! I WANT you to come round!!! LOL!! 😉 I could honestly cry when I look at our kitchen, for example. My boy is a really keen chef and as a result he has LOTS of tools; utensils, pans, dishes etc — but the kitchen in *this* house was NOT designed for a cook. We simply don’t have the storage at the moment. As a result it all feels SO crammed. And not ordered.
And as I had to give up my office, when the twins were born, my work stuff is EVERYWHERE! In each drawer — cupboard — room of the house. I have stuff squirrelled away in so many locations, as I don’t have room in *one* room. It’s SO frustrating. Particularly as — with those two examples — we can’t really throw any of it away!! When we update the kitchen — and create a garden office — there *will* finally be a place for everything once more. Gives me a headache!!!
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on December 2, 2015 at 12:52 pm
Oh Caro. Firstly lets follow each other as I need some style in my life and you need some of my organisational tips – both of us will be happier as a result! Secondly, are you in Devon? If not I am going to send you my POP – Personalised Organising Planner… see if it helps and if so feedback is very welcome (actually even if it doesnt help feedback is useful!)… Find me at and I will wing it to you, in hope that you will be feeling more in control (with twins you have to try what you can I appreciate!). x
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on November 9, 2015 at 10:02 pm
Ooooh yes right up my street! LOVE a good declutter and staying organised. I never hoard; am the opposite – I get rid too quick. I like a nice, clean, tidy home and organised working life as it makes me happy in my family life too. It can be hard to achieve but it is just the way I am. Thank you very much for linking up with us. Jess xx
#HomeEtc
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on November 11, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Its funny but as a declutterer I am often talking to people about creating memory boxes and making sure items of personal importance are kept safe or are on display. Our belongings, pictures and such play an important role in who we are. So sometimes those that are minimalist need to find their inner child and say – what would I like to treasure. Keep those items celebrated. Good luck.
thanks for sharing this and interesting to read. I think I need to start the process. I sometimes tell people I have my very own styling prop library. That library is growing. time for a declutter!
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