Success Story: Achieving Edmonton Garage Goals
- Kaytlyn Beakhouse
- Apr 9
- 4 min read
How one Busy Mom and Realtor Reclaimed Her Parking Space
As a busy Realtor, Ashley Tichkowsky spends her days guiding families through the logistics of buying and selling their home. Often, she brings in the team at Sort & Simple to help her clients navigate the emotional hurdle of decluttering and listing preparation.
Ashley sees first hand how a tidy home leads to a strong sale, and feels great! But as any parent knows, life has a way of filling up the spaces we live in.
Between the whirlwind of kids' sports schedules and kindly storing extended family members’ belongings, Ashley’s own garage had slowly transitioned. It was no longer a functional parking space; rather, it had become a chaotic catch-all!
With an Edmonton winter on the horizon, Ashley decided it was finally time to do for her own family what she so often recommends to her clients—she called in the Sort & Simple team for professional home organizing.
Navigating Garage Decluttering in Edmonton
Ashley had three goals for her garage:
She wanted functional sports equipment storage
Her husband’s workbench to be accessible
And most importantly, she wanted her parking space back!
When we first saw Ashley’s Edmonton garage, we didn't see clutter. We saw an active family that simply lacked the spare time to audit their inventory and set up organizational systems.
Our Professional Organizer, Anna-Lisa, spent the initial visit sketching out a plan that utilized vertical space. This ensured that items used only once a year, like holiday decor or sentimental bins, weren't taking up the prime real estate on the floor.
Professional Organizing for Busy Families
To make a big impact quickly, we used a team approach. A pair of our organizers worked alongside Ashley to begin sorting and categorizing everything in the space, all in one productive day.
Our team started by pulling items onto the driveway to see exactly what the family was working with. Because we prioritize judgment-free organizing, the focus was entirely on what served their current lifestyle. After a quick review of which items were to keep or go, Ashley was able to head off to her own busy schedule, leaving the heavy lifting to us.
Once the sorting was complete, our Professional Organizers utilized the existing shelving units and overhead racks to get as much as possible off the ground.
Pro Tip: Using vertical space s the number one strategy we use to maximize a garage’s potential. Think wall hooks, shelving, and overhead storage.
Sustainable Garage Decluttering Strategies
At Sort & Simple, we prioritize sustainable practices in every space—especially garages, which can often contain a mix of chemicals and materials that shouldn't be dumped in the landfill.
Once the keep piles were organized, our expert Organizers sorted the remaining items for:
Donatable Goods: Household items for the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
Tools & Hardware: Lawn equipment and tool donations for the Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Eco Station: Responsible disposal of household chemicals, old paints, and metal recycling.
By thoughtfully sorting these items, we ensure your belongings find a new life and decrease negative environmental impacts in the YEG community.
A Happier Space and a Stress-Free Winter
The next morning, Anna-Lisa did a final walkthrough with Ashley. We showed her where the tools had been relocated and clearly labelled each zone so the whole family could easily maintain the new organizational system.
The physical change was undeniable. The zones for sporting equipment were clear, and the workbench was ready for its next project, but the emotional shift was even better.
Ashley shared that the entire space felt happier!
Best of all? With just one focused organizing session, Ashley could park both vehicles in her garage again!
"When I met the team at Sort & Simple, I knew we would be a great match. They have been instrumental in helping my clients prep for a sale with decluttering and listing prep all the way through to the move and setting up the new home. I know I can trust the team with anything I throw at them and always look forward to working together." — Ashley Tichkowsky
We are so grateful for Ashley’s trust, both with her clients and with her own home.
If you’re looking for a Realtor who truly understands the value of a well-supported transition, you can find her at: Ashley Tichkowsky - Real Estate.
Ready to Reclaim Your Garage?
Whether you’re creating space to woodwork, park your cars, or simply store your seasonal items with ease, the S&S team is here to help. We provide the hands-on support and expert systems you need to turn an overwhelming project into an achievable win.
Kaytlyn Beakhouse is the founder of Sort & Simple Professional Organizing, an Edmonton-based company supporting seniors, families, and real estate professionals through decluttering, downsizing, and estate clear-outs. With a compassionate, non-judgmental approach, Kaytlyn and her team help clients navigate overwhelming situations with confidence and care—one step at a time.
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