Homes & small spaces
Closets, pantries, kitchens, playrooms, garages, entryways, and the rooms you avoid — edited with care and labeled so anyone in the household can maintain them.
About
The mind behind Curated Surroundings
Meet Kara — a Novato organizer who helps busy Bay Area moms and families clear the clutter, lighten the mental load, and keep systems that stick.
The studio
Organizing that sticks after we leave
Curated Surroundings is a Bay Area professional organizing studio based in Novato. We help busy families and moms — including ADHD and neurodivergent households — clear the clutter, set up systems that fit real life, and keep calm spaces from sliding back into chaos. Real homes are welcome here; you never need a perfect house to ask for help.
Moves & transitions
Packing, unpacking, and first-week systems in a new place so you land organized instead of living out of boxes.
Maintenance that respects life
When schedules shift and systems slip, we come back for touch-ups — quarterly, annually, or whenever you need — without judgment, and without starting from zero.
The founder
Meet the mind behind Curated Surroundings
A Novato organizer helping busy Bay Area moms and families clear the clutter, lighten the mental load, and keep systems that stick.
Hi, I’m Kara!
Owner & Professional Organizer
Hi, I'm Kara! Growing up, home life wasn’t always steady — we moved a lot, and things felt unpredictable. Organizing my own little corner was the one place I could create calm, and that sense of order stayed with me. Being able to find what I needed in the moment made everything feel a little safer and more peaceful. Turning that lifelong passion into a career has been incredible!
Getting to know Kara
A little more of the story
A few things Kara shared, in her own words.
A Little AboutMe
I'm originally from Ohio, spent time in Chicago for undergrad, and have called the Bay Area home for the last 10 years. Along the way I spent years as a nanny and saw firsthand how much easier family life got when systems were clear and things were easy to find. That pulled me into professional organizing — I trained with a luxury organizing company, learned the craft on real projects, and then started Curated Surroundings so I could bring that same peace to more homes.
Why I LoveOrganizing
I believe it's so important for our mental health to clear the clutter around us. A chaotic space can quietly drain your energy every day, and trying to tackle it alone often feels debilitating — which is exactly why I'm here to help. The win isn't just a tidy room; it's clearer focus and a home that supports your life instead of overwhelming it. Many of the families I work with are ADHD or neurodivergent — or have kids who are — and I love building systems that work with how their brains work, not against them. The goal isn't perfection — it's a space that stays peaceful on a busy Tuesday, long after I leave.
Favorite Spaces toOrganize
Pantries & Playrooms! Mealtime is often one of the few moments a busy family can slow down together — when your pantry is set up so everyone can see what you have, you spend less time hunting, waste less food, and enjoy that time more. I love witnessing the results of transforming this space into a functional yet beautiful area. I was a full-time nanny for many years, and children are a huge part of my heart. When toys are organized in ways kids can actually follow, they play more independently — and that break for caregivers is so rewarding!
Featured inThe MamahoodMaking Space for Calm: How Kara of Curated Surroundings Helps Families Breathe AgainExtra personal details →How we work
A calm process from first call to finished space
Three beats from the first conversation to systems you can keep on a busy Tuesday.
- Step one
You talk, we listen
Before organizing day we talk through pain points — in person, virtually, or with photos — so we know how you live and what “done” looks like. Then we plan around that, not a one-size template.
- Step two
Edit with kindness
Decluttering should feel supportive — never shaming. Clutter and “doom piles” don’t mean you’re failing; they usually mean you’ve been busy living — especially with kids. We guide keep / donate / sell decisions gently, and can help with donations, Buy Nothing, or listing photos when you’re ready to let go.
- Step three
Build systems you can keep
Zones, labels, and simple habits leave with you. Bigger projects may span a second day or room-by-room over weeks — the goal is a space that stays peaceful on a Tuesday night, not just on day one.
Why clients choose us
Good reasons to work with us
Four reasons families keep coming back to Curated Surroundings.
Partnership
You don't have to tackle your mess alone! Let us lend a professional hand to your project!
Life is busy
Family life fills every minute. Create the calm home you want without sacrificing the little free time you have — and lighten the mental load that comes with the chaos.
Passion
Organizing is our passion — and the best part is watching the mental load lift when a space finally works for your life, not just looks tidy.
Affordable
We offer affordable prices while allowing you to set a budget that works best for your needs.
Portfolio glimpse
Spaces we’ve transformed
A glimpse of the calm we leave behind.
Kitchen
Zones for cooking, serving, and everyday tools — so mealtime feels lighter, not like a hunt.
Linen closet
Towels, sheets, and extras folded and labeled so anyone can restock without the avalanche.
Primary closet
Color-coded hanging and folded stacks with room to see what you own — mornings, simplified.
Playroom
Kid-readable bins and shelves they can follow — more independent play, less cleanup battles.
Refrigerator
Labeled bins and clear zones so leftovers get eaten, staples stay visible, and less food goes to waste.
Ready to curate your space?
Book online, or call (330) 540-6722 — Kara would love to hear about your project.