In the latest episode of the “Create Your Kindspace” podcast, Caroline Laurenson sits down with professional organiser Debbie Junor, who has made it her mission to turn chaotic spaces into calm, functional homes. Debbie’s path to professional organising wasn’t linear —she transitioned from the oil industry to caregiving and now helps people manage their physical spaces. She guides clients through the emotional and practical challenges of decluttering, making room for what matters most. Through her hands-on experience and empathetic approach, Debbie brings clarity to her clients’ lives, one room at a time.
What began as simply helping friends with decluttering and organisation quickly highlighted a valuable service that many people lacked access to. Seeing firsthand how she could transform people’s homes—and their lives—motivated Debbie to take the leap, turning her passion into a full-time business.
"Everyone’s so individual, and that’s the most exciting thing about my job. You never meet two families or two individuals the same, and everyone has different needs and something that will make their life easier."
Debbie emphasises that her work is not about creating minimalist, picture-perfect spaces but making homes functional and suited to each client’s lifestyle. She works with a wide range of clients, from those with hoarding tendencies to busy parents simply looking to make daily life easier.
“It’s about having a lived-in home but knowing where everything is.”
Decluttering often involves emotional triggers, which Debbie approaches with empathy and patience.
“It’s such an emotional process… you just never know when those triggers are going to happen.”
She understands that items can hold powerful memories, and her background in counselling enables her to support clients in navigating these emotions, especially when unexpected memories arise during the process.
For many people, letting go of items with sentimental value can be one of the hardest parts of the decluttering process.
"It is really difficult. People often think, ‘Oh, you’re going to make me get rid of everything.’ I’m like, absolutely not. I am about keeping the important things."
She recalls working with a retired midwife who had accumulated 20 boxes of gifts from grateful families she had supported over the years. To preserve these memories meaningfully, Debbie helped her create a photo book, capturing each item in a way that kept its story alive. Now, the midwife can revisit those memories anytime, reliving each connection without the weight—or storage demands—of so many boxes.
Decluttering can be especially challenging for families, as everyone has different opinions and expectations. Debbie encourages families to make the process collaborative, involving everyone to avoid one person shouldering the entire burden.
"It doesn’t matter who’s busy or who’s got what role—you have to come together and do things as a whole because it’s just too overwhelming to do it yourself."
For families with children, she suggests turning decluttering tasks into fun challenges or rewarding experiences, making the process a positive and engaging family activity.
One of Debbie’s core values is finding new homes for pre-loved items. She is passionate about donating to charity and supporting community initiatives that can benefit from these items.
"For me, donating goods is a big part of my business… you know there are so many people in your local area that would love and appreciate these items."
Debbie’s approach goes beyond typical donations. She encourages clients to consider local nurseries and schools, as these places often have unmet needs for basic supplies.
"And it’s really sad that the schools need so many donations. But I gave a school a couple of reams of paper, and you would think I gave them gold."
For Debbie, finding new purposes for items that might otherwise be thrown away is a powerful way to make a difference, turning potential waste into something genuinely beneficial for others.
Debbie recommends that clients establish simple organising systems to maintain their spaces in the long term. She suggests practical strategies that align with each client’s lifestyle, such as designating spaces for everyday items close to where you use them or would naturally look for them.
"If I say one thing, it’s everything has to have a place because if it saves you five minutes in the morning… you’re less likely to feel stressed.”
This focus on creating functional systems helps her clients keep their homes organised and clutter-free long after her work is done.
"It's not about having the pretty home with pretty boxes. Mine is not. Mine is about being functional and just making life a little bit less stressful."
There is a growing demand for decluttering and organising professionals. Looking forward, Debbie hopes to grow Clean Slate by training others who share her passion for community and the environment so that she can help even more people reclaim their spaces and create homes that truly support their lives.
Alongside her work making life functional and less stressful for her clients, she also wants to provide further accessible resources, like downloadable checklists and courses.
Debbie’s journey reflects the power of empathy and practicality in creating spaces that promote peace. Her approach to decluttering goes beyond mere organisation—it’s about honouring memories, making daily life easier and giving back to the community. Her advice and services remind us that small changes can make a big difference in our daily lives.
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