Santa Barbara Life & Style Magazine : Home Issue May | June 2025

Release & Refresh

BY Maddy Sims | April 28, 2025

There's nothing quite like the flood of relief and ease you feel after organizing a cluttered space. Having things strewn about or untidily tucked away isn't just a visual mess, it's also a reminder of unfinished tasks, unmade decisions, and unresolved emotions-all of which can weigh heavily on you. Paige Lambert, founder of Simple Storage Co., knows just how impactful an orderly space can be, as both a new mom and a professional organizer. Whether you're dreaming of a perfectly-arranged pantry, a color-coordinated closet, or a full-home flip, Lambert wants to help you refresh your home and regain peace of mind.

Lambert has been passionate about organization since she was little. Growing up in two households, she recognized the need for order early on. She carried this discipline into her career-managing inventory and layouts for retail stores, putting her own systems in place to elevate the space. "I understood how vital it is to have an organized back of house," she says. "Otherwise, it's just chaos all the time." After nearly 15 vears in the retail space, Lambert moved back to santa barbara and nad her daughter. "It's cliché to say, but my daughter is the reason I started this company.

Like many new moms, Lambert struggled with the drastic hfestyle change during maternity leave. "Ive only ever worked my whole life, so I didn't know what I was supposed to do." With encouragement from her husband she decided to lean into her passion for organizing and launch a specialty organization service. "So my daughter was born, and Simple Storage was born," she smiles.

Things accumulate-either through life stages (new parenthood, for example) or through time. Boxes are put away and forgotten. Trinkets are passed down from relatives. Pressures to buy the next new thing add up. Before you know it, you're left with an overwhelming amount or clutter. I you reel stressed out by your storage unit or back closet, it's not just in your head. Psychologists have even studied the mental toll of disorganization. "It's like wearing an out you don treel conndentin, Lambert says. "It's uncomfortable, and it's constantly in the back of your mind. Helping people shed the weight of clutter has been so gratifying."

You can see Lambert genuinely gets excited by the idea of helping people. Her eyes light up, and a smile is stretched across her face. She's warm and friendly yet to the point: a rare combination. but an essential one for professional organizers. "I have to take a lot of emotion out of the process and be very matter-of-fact," she says.

"I like to ask people why they want to hold onto something: When was the last time you wore that piece of clothing? Will your children find value in those items?" It's difficult at times, but Lambert says being honest is the key to success. "It's initial discomfort for a greater reward," she says. "I'll tell you the truth, even if it's

uncomfortable-because tharts what I'd want too."

And here's the truth: We need less than we think we do.

"I preach this all day, every day," Lambert says. "As soon as something goes behind a door, it's forgotten." She cites an example of a client who had multiples of everything in their garage because they forgot they had it or couldn't find the one they had. "If you don't know what you have, you'll end up buying more of it. That's why organizing isn't just about decluttering—it actually saves you money," she says.

Not only does your wallet benent, your well-being does too. "You're creating a healthy lifestyle for yourself,"Lambert says. "You can eat all the high-quality food you want and go to the gym, but if your home environment is chaotic, it will affect you. Having an organized space allows vou to invite friends and family over, improves the health of your relationship, and sets an example for your lainy.

As a new mom, the last point is especially important to Lambert. "You have the opportunity to instill these values in your children," she says. "On top of that, you want to give your child unaivided attention. Neeping your space organized means you don't have to take away from the time you're spending together to look for something."

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Feeling inspired but don't know where to start? Lambert shares her best tips on how to get the ball rolling:

PAIGE'S GUIDE TO GETTING STARTED

1. Set a clear goal :

It doesn't matter if you don't get rid of anything, just start by setting a clear goal," Lambert says. "Establish a game plan, and be honest with yourself. If you aren't going to do it on your own, write a list of what you would like help with."

2. Get the lay of the land :

Before you can organize anything, you need to know what's there.

Take stock of your belongings, whether by writing lists, taking pictures, or sorting things into categories.

3. Book a consultation :

Overwhelmed by it all? Lambert offers free one-hour consultations.

Book one with her to walk through a space with zero judgement and lots of recommendations. She offers anything from closet cataloguing to pantry organization to moving services and more.

4. Just start :

"Stop waiting for the perfect time— it'll never come. Start small and let the momentum build," Lambert says. "Motion creates motion." Remember: Something is better than nothing. "Procrastinating is going to cost you more time and more energy, Lambert says.

Whether you get rid of one pesky pile or rework a room, you'll instantly feel better.

5. Let go of shame :

Almost everyone struggles with clutter-so don't let guilt stop you from making progress. Once you let go of the shame you feel,

you can move forward and start fresh

6. Invest in organizational tools :

Clearing out clutter involves putting things away and giving them a home (so you know where to hnd them later on). Bins, containers, trays, hangers, and labels will keep your space clear and organized long-term.

Tackling just a little bit of clutter can free up an enormous amount of physical and mental space. Lambert has experienced this personally, which is why shes so passionate about helping others. "T've seen firsthand how organization can transform not just a space but a mindset. My goal is to help people get back time, energy, and peace of mind-because life is too short for clutter, she says. "The space you keep is more influential than you realize.

I want to help people live happy, healthy lives."

Ready to reclaim your space? Book a free consultation at simplestorageco.com

SBLS Article : https://issuu.com/santabarbaralifeandstyle/docs/may_june_2025_santa_barbara_life_style_magazin