Decluttering experts: Profession comes of age as pay rises to Sh800,000

In the West, the profession gained traction after the success of Marie Kondo and her Netflix show Tidying Upwith Marie Kondo, with professionals earning from $500 to $5,000 (Sh65,000 to Sh650,000).

In Kenya, the earnings may not be as high, but those who have built a career around it say they can get between Sh500,000 and Sh800,000 a year, just to arrange people’s living rooms, kitchens or bedrooms.

They are paid to take a look inside cupboards, storerooms or garages, rummaging through clothes that have not been worn in years, spices that are over a year old, and paperwork dating back to nursery school, all being kept ‘in memory of...’

“Decluttering isn’t about giving away things; it’s about gaining clarity and peace,” says Catherine Kavata, founder of Miss Declutter, a company that she started over 10 years ago.

Catherine notes that clothing is the most commonly hoarded item among Kenyans, often filling wardrobes, suitcases, and spare rooms with pieces that have not been worn in years.

“It often reflects unmade decisions, emotional attachments, and an accumulation of 'someday' tasks. Over time, these items create visual and mental noise that can silently drain energy and foster tension within the home,” she explains.

What clutter does

Research shows that disorganised homes elevate stress levels, anxiety, irritability, and fatigue. In contrast, clean and organised spaces promote focus, restful sleep, and an overall sense of harmony.

Koi Ngunjiri, is another Kenyan who has found a career in professional decluttering. She founded Homenest nearly six years ago and has worked in more than 200 homes.

She was a filmmaker, and that has helped her approach every project as a professional organiser, with both a creative eye and a practical approach.

In her decluttering journey, she has faced every type of space, from closets overflowing with unworn outfits to pantries filled with expired spices from forgotten recipes and garages packed so tightly with storage boxes that people find it hard to walk through.

She recalls one project in particular, working with an elderly client whose home was so cluttered that some doors could no longer be opened.

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“I found receipts from the 1980s, wedding gifts untouched for three decades, and bedrooms still filled with belongings of grown-up children,” she says.

Although she has encountered a few extreme cases, Faith Kaimba, another professional organiser points out that most people find it difficult to part with items due to emotional attachment, sentimental value, or the belief that they might be useful someday.

“I once worked with a retired teacher who had kept over 20 years’ worth of lesson plans, student assignments, and teaching materials in boxes stacked from floor to ceiling,” says Faith, founder of Faith The Organiser.

“She wasn’t a hoarder by diagnosis, but her emotional connection to those papers made it difficult for her to part with them.”

In another instance, she recalls a client who had an attic full of toys that her children had outgrown. “She wanted to keep them ‘for the grandchildren,’ even though her children were still teenagers,” Faith points out.

Having worked in more than 200 homes, Faith notes that most of the homes she visits have an excess of items in three main categories: clothing, kitchenware, and paperwork.

Closets are full of unworn clothes, kitchens are filled with multiple sets of utensils and broken appliances, and drawers and boxes are crammed with old bills, expired warranties, school papers, and even funeral programmes.

“These items accumulate quietly over time, and before they realise it, homeowners have lost control of their space,” she explains.

Process of decluttering

Professional organising involves more than just tidying up; it is a step-by-step process. It begins with a consultation and site visit, during which the professional organiser listens carefully to the client's needs and aspirations for their space.

“I ask them what matters most to them, what they want to see when they open a drawer, and what tasks they find overwhelming,” explains Faith.

Next comes the assessment and planning stage, where Koi tours every room to identify problem areas and establish priorities. This is followed by sorting and categorisation, which is often the most emotionally charged part of the process.

“If an item no longer matches your current lifestyle or your desired lifestyle, thank it and release it,” advises Koi.

To prevent future clutter, she encourages clients to adopt the 'one in, one out' rule: for every new item brought into the home, one item must be removed. She also poses a critical question: “Have you used this in the last three to six months?” If the answer is no, it may be time to let it go.

The declutterers recommend setting a 20-minute timer for each organising session to help maintain focus and energy levels. Faith works with individuals, families, and corporate teams, using a four-category system: keep, donate, throw, and doubt.

Her approach is rooted in the belief that every item should serve a clear purpose or bring genuine joy.

“The clarity and calmness that come from a clutter-free space are transformative," says Faith. She recalls working with a widowed mother of three in a four-bedroom home.

The project took over three weeks, not only because of the volume of items, but also because each item had its own story and required time for emotional healing.

“Walking into the house was like stepping into a time capsule filled with clothes from decades past, unopened gifts, and stacks of newspapers blocking the light from the windows. The transformation was remarkable. By the end, the house felt open, airy, peaceful, and inviting, filled with light and space, with clear floors that hadn’t been seen in years,” she says.

Catherine believes that clutter often reflects internal struggles. She approaches every project with patience, understanding that, for many clients, letting go of certain items can feel deeply personal.

“I approach every client with empathy. I don’t force them to throw things away,” she explains.

Instead, she gently guides them to see how releasing physical items can create space for new opportunities and promote a lighter way of living.

Her practical method involves dedicating just 10 minutes a day to the task, which even busy households can manage.

Unlike Catherine and Koi, who do home decluttering as a side job, Faith's journey into professional decluttering began after the birth of her third child and a move into a larger house.

She found herself constantly cleaning, rearranging, and refining her space until her husband encouraged her to turn her talent into a business in 2016.

She encourages clients to sort their belongings into four clear categories: Keep, donate, resell, or discard. Once the sorting process is complete, she enhances the space with matching hangers, labelled bins, and shelf dividers —choices that blend functionality and visual calm.

Catherine champions the 'slow declutter' method, where changes occur gradually but are long-lasting. She reminds clients that storage solutions should be considered part of the budget from the outset, as they improve organisation and aesthetics alike. “Start small, and the peace will grow,” she advises.

The time taken to organise jobs depends on the scope of the project, ranging from a few hours to several weeks. One of Koi’s most memorable projects was transforming a pantry in 13 hours, while renovating a widowed mother’s four-bedroom home took several weeks.

Costs and pricing

Although not widely understood, Kenya’s professional organising industry holds promising potential for the future.

The cost of organising services varies depending on the size of the project. Small-scale projects, such as organising a pantry or wardrobe, typically take four to six hours and cost between Sh8,000 and Sh20,000.

Medium-scale projects, such as organising a bedroom or garage, typically require a full day and cost between Sh8,000 and Sh50,000. Full-house makeovers, particularly those involving selling items or packing for relocation, can exceed Sh100,000.

Some organisers also help clients monetise their unwanted items. Catherine, who has worked in the industry for five years, for example, recalls helping an expatriate who was relocating to Türkiye to sell items valued over Sh1 million.

Full-time organisers can earn seven-figure monthly incomes, while part-timers like Catherine —a learning and development specialist —earn between Sh500,000 and Sh800,000 per year. She notes that growth often comes through referrals, social media marketing, and partnerships with interior design and moving services.

Developing a portfolio

For individuals interested in pursuing a career in space organisation, Catherine recommends beginning with small projects for friends or family to develop a portfolio.

She recommends marketing through platforms such as Instagram or TikTok, where before-and-after transformations can attract potential clients.

“Be patient, build trust, and showcase results,” Catherine advises. “Marketing is important, but your results speak louder than words.”
The startup costs for entering the field of professional organising range from Sh20,000 to Sh50,000. Pricing can be either hourly or project-based, and offering additional services such as moving assistance or interior styling can increase income potential.

DIY decluttering tips

For those who prefer a do-it-yourself (DIY) approach, Koi advises starting small to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

“Tackle one area at a time, and apply the 'one-year rule': if an item hasn’t been used in a year, it's safe to let it go. Set aside dedicated time each week for decluttering tasks and use storage solutions such as labelled bins, baskets, and shelves to help maintain order,” she says.

Today, more people are embracing change and investing in peace of mind. Professional organising is increasingly recognised as part of the wellness industry in many countries.

Globally, it is no longer considered a luxury, but rather a life-enhancing service that promotes productivity and mental well-being.

Since the pandemic, demand for organising services has surged. With more people working from home, the detrimental effect of clutter on mood, motivation, and mental clarity has become apparent.

“People now realise how much of an impact clutter can have on their focus and well-being,” says Catherine. “Those working from home have been our biggest clients. Clutter distracts them,” adds Koi. “There’s a noticeable shift towards simplicity and multifunctional living,” Faith notes.

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