Welcome to Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering
Professional organising & decluttering for homes & small business, based in Wangaratta, serving North East Victoria
Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering assists clients in optimising their spaces by systematically decluttering and organising their belongings. This service is provided with a non-judgemental and compassionate approach.
Regarding the owner
Bonny Rowles-van Rijswijk, owner of Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering.
Bonny’s ambition is to help people. Her drive to declutter and reorganise is to open space which allows you and the people you love room to live, work, and thrive: to relieve that sense of overwhelm when clutter takes hold, because at times life can be busy and messy and complicated.
Bonny has amassed a range of experience working in the food safety, disability and science sectors in Australia and overseas. This gives her flexibility, compassion, and novel ways of approaching problems.
For your peace of mind, Bonny is a Professional Member of IOPO (The Institute of Professional Organisers), is an accredited Mental Health First Aider and has a Working with Children Check.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
The area covered is from Violet Town to Wodonga, Yarrawonga to Beechworth and Bright. Areas beyond 30 minutes from Wangaratta will be charged an additional $0.85 / km.
-
I have experience working in the food safety, disability and science sectors in Australia and overseas. This has given me flexibility, compassion, and novel ways of approaching problems.
For your peace of mind, I am a Professional Member of IOPO (The Institute of Professional Organisers), an accredited Mental Health First Aider and have a Working with Children Check.
-
Please put any feelings of embarrassment aside as this is a non-judgemental service. The only preparation needed is to ensure that all pets are safely secured to prevent any potential harm.
-
The decluttering and reorganising process begins with an initial consultation. We meet, discuss your needs, pain points, and vision for your space. This consultation takes 30-60 minutes. The outcome is an individualised documented plan, which includes an estimation of time required to complete work requested. There is a $20 charge for this service, which is deducted from the first session fee when you sign up.
-
This depends on the service required, however, once the scope of works has been decided work can proceed without you needing to be present. Please know that none of your belongings will be recycled, donated or disposed of without your consent.
-
As Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering has a sustainability focus, where possible, storage containers you already own are used. However, if extra containers are required, or you would like to refresh your look, this is done after your belongings have been sorted and decluttered.
-
Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering has a sustainability ethos. As such, part of the service provided is to remove smaller items to be recycled or donated at the end of each session, and with your approval those goods will be donated to organisations within our community.
-
For ethical reasons an on-selling service is not provided, however, when appropriate, recommendations for local buyers can be provided.
-
Photos will not be published without your consent. For professional reasons, photos will be taken for verification of works undertaken.
-
No and No 😂. I have created an uncluttered relaxing family home that is easy to maintain as everything has a designated place. It’s a home filled with books and pictures, plants and people.
Our Services
Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering offers bespoke, non-judgemental professional organising and decluttering services with a focus on sustainability for
HOMES - from a pantry to an entire home
GARAGES - create effective storage solutions
HOME OFFICE - organise a calm & effective home workspace
SMALL BUSINESS - create bespoke systems for your business
PRIOR TO MOVING - move only what you truly want
DOWNSIZING - reduce stress around lifestyle changes
PREPARATION FOR SALE - stage your home with your belongings
DECEASED ESTATES - help sort through you loved one’s belongings with care & respect
“After Care” is provided to all clients upon completion of the service.
-
The decluttering and reorganising process begins with an initial consultation.
We meet, discuss your needs, pain points, and vision for your space.
This consultation takes 30-60 minutes,
The outcome of this consultation is an individualised documented plan for you, which includes an estimation of time required to complete work requested.
There is a charge of $20 for this service, however, for customers this fee is deducted from their first session.
-
Sessions are tailored to meet your specific needs, with 1 - 4 hour sessions available.
1 hour session ($55.00)
2-hour session ($110.00)
3 hour session ($165.00)
4 hour session ($220.00)
Longer sessions can be arranged if required.
Contact TSD
For enquiries, please fill in the form.
Client testimonials
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Blue)]()
5⭐Google Review
“Bonny is wonderful, the right blend of logic, hard work and sensitivity.
I immediately felt at ease and calmer with her advice. Highly recommended.”
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene B&W)]()
5⭐Google Review
“I recently had Bonny around to help with an Out of Control pantry situation.
Between Family members offloading excess stuff to my pantry, and me not even able to see what was even in there - so buying it again - it was A HUUUGE mess!!!!
I knew What needed to be done - but I just kept putting it off till 'another day. ........'
Bring in Thoughtful Space Decluttering. (TSD). Bonny brought her crates to seperate what was still good, what could be donated & what just needed to be thrown!
Totally ashamed to say just how much food went to waste - BUT I was able to donate 2 bags of pantry items to the local Carevan and my pantry is now clean, fresh and I can easily see what I have or need.”
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Pink)]()
Facebook post comment
“I can highly recommend Bonnie.
After months of procrastinating and telling myself I'm gunna do it, a call to Bonny ended all that.
Presto! I can now get into my shed and love the order! I can find what I need, when I need it.
Such a timesaver!”
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Green)]()
Customer feedback form
“TSD provided me with motivation, support and encouragement to sort through a mountain of accumulated stuff that needed sorting; a task I couldn't have done alone due to the sheer scale of the problem.
I was a little unprepared for how emotionally taxing it would be, but to have support each step was invaluable. Thank you.”
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Orange)]()
Customer feedback form
How did Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering bring your vision alive?
“Taking charge, rolling sleeves up and getting me into it! No room for procrastination.
Bonny's matter of fact, but understanding approach to decision making seemed to make the dreaded process easy!”
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Bright Blue)]()
5⭐Google Review
“Bonny brought the ideal balance of sensitivity, practicality and understanding to decluttering my pantry.
Living in a family of five (six if you include the cat), our spacious pantry was a busy food hub that had gradually spiralled out of control.
Reorganising it from top to bottom was an overwhelming job that was easy to avoid thanks to our busy lifestyle.
Seeking assistance from TSD to overhaul our pantry delivered amazing results.Less food goes to waste, ingredients are easy to locate, and frequently used kitchen appliances are stored for accessibility, while removing those we didn't use has freed up space.
I highly recommend TSD.” -
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Bright Orange)]()
5⭐Google Review
“Bonny helped me clear my study when I just couldn't work out where to start.
She knew how to get the work done so that I can use the space productively.
She really knows her stuff!”
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Bright Pink)]()
Customer feedback form
How did Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering bring your vision alive?
“I was able to get rid of what I wasn’t using, and because I have designated space for everything.
At the end of each day I put things where they belong and each morning when I return to work I start fresh.
Previously I was just adding mess on top of mess because nothing really belonged anywhere.
It’s been so good for my headspace, removing clutter from the physical space has also lightened the mental clutter for me”
-
![Client testimonial (NE Vic Scene Yellow)]()
5⭐Google Review
“Bonny is such a warm, open and understanding person.
There is no pressure or judgement, just acceptance.
She is mindful of memories and the baggage that comes with them.
100% recommend this wonderful business.”
Case Studies
Showcasing work by Thoughtful Spaces Decluttering
-
February 2025
Sometimes you need an extra pair of hands to get back on track, and for my client, they reached out as they needed help to set up their home office before the start of the academic year.
This client, an absolutely exceptional human being, asked for help with their home office as it was no longer functioning for them due to a period of illness, and because the office had become a storage space for a former career, and belongings from family that had passed away.
As you can imagine, this was a job filled with emotion. Letting go of belongings that identified who you used to be, and from people no longer here brings many feelings to the surface.
The work was broken down into manageable sections over three sessions to minimise overwhelm and not tire out the client, with discarded items removed daily and dropped at local op shops and the transfer station on their behalf.
The office was cleaned and set up ready for study; and I’m happy to report they have successfully completed semester 1 are onto their 2nd semester of study!
-
February-March 2025
I met this client in a very round-about way, but I am ever so glad I did!
I had caught up with a friend and former colleague at the Wangaratta Small Business Forum and we had an amazing conversation catching up on all things work and family related. The following morning this friend tagged me in a Facebook post from Gabby Simmonds Jewellery, a small business owner who was feeling utterly overwhelmed with their clutter!
I took a chance and reached out with an offer of help. No pressure, no cajoling, because that is not my style, and because for this client, I had come completely out of the unknown.
And they said yes!
This small business owner was going through a transition in their life, both professionally and personally, hence the urge to pull everything off the shelves and take stock!
They made me laugh thinking the first thing we were going to do was dash out and hit the shops for lots of containers! Far from it! The first thing we did was to sit and have a conversation about their dreams for their workspace, what they love about it, and what isn’t working.
Once work began by categorising, zoning, and assessing what should stay and what had served its purpose, the workspace was transformed. This was an emotional undertaking, as the business that the client had created and nurtured was changing, and change can be confronting. It can also be liberating, because space for new growth was created.
Happy to report no containers were purchased; instead, many were donated because the client had an excess of storage devices, and the remainder put into service to organise the space.
One of the most powerful statements made by my client was that I had given them permission to let go. This has stayed with me. By enabling them to let go, they have been given the space to grow.
-
March 2025
Life can get messy! My client came to me feeling overwhelmed with their garage. They had had a major lifestyle change including a move to a new home, and the garage ended up being a keep all for their vast collection of antiques, and they were at a loss on how to organise it all.
This brief was unlike others because most everything had to be kept; the aim was to create systems that allowed easy access to all the belongings, create a workstation, and make the overall space feel welcoming because it was very dark.
Items were categorised, furniture moved to create access and allow light into the space with large pieces, like the shell of a grandfather clock, which were no longer required removed, the garage space zoned, a table set-up as a workstation, and creepy crawlies removed.
As we worked during our final session I saw a change in my client. It was like a huge weight lifted off their shoulders, and their joy with their collection had returned. And we celebrated! We toasted that garage with a glass of wine – we were dirty and dusty, looking our absolute glamorous best – and you couldn’t wipe the smiles off our faces!
-
March 2025
For those faced with emptying a deceased estate, you do not need to do this alone.
In March 2025 I worked as a member of a team that included a real estate agent, maintenance person, and a professional cleaner, to assist our client to empty their family home.
This home had sat untouched for two years, with all the belongings from their parents and their childhood inside. Our client was faced with this task on their own, as their parents, and their only sibling had all passed.
This home had been sold and needed to be cleared for handover to the new owner. So not only was this client faced with a huge task, but there was a deadline of 3 weeks in which to complete it.
I was brought in to act as a catalyst, and together with the client we cleared the bedrooms and kitchen. It was an emotional experience, sharing stories, as we both have siblings that passed away too soon.
The client was a generous human being wanting most things that could be donated to go to charity. They were interested in selling a few belongings as well, so I put them touch with a contact that specialises in retro and mid-century artefacts.
I am happy to report that working as a team this home was prepared in time for handover to the new owner.
-
December 2024
Just before Christmas 2024 I was called to help the Wilkinson family with their pantry as it was no longer working for them - they were losing track of their food!
When I got there I found a large pantry, doors wide open, full of small plastic containers holding partially used packets of food. I also saw that bread and pet food was being stored on the kitchen bench, taking up valuable real estate, as their pantry had run out of room.
This poor pantry needed an overhaul as the family had grown from a family of five with three toddlers, to a family of five with three teenagers – one of whom has a love of baking and looks set to be a future chef.
First request for the pantry was to remove expired food! They were an amazing family to work with. I had members of the Wilkinson clan stepping in to help with emptying the pantry and checking all the food to see if it had expired. Tunes were turned up and it became a game - brown rice with a 2014 expiry was the winner of oldest food found! Five giant bowls of expired food were sent to the green bin, with packaging recycled where possible.
Everything was pulled out of the pantry – and each item was assessed. Old lunch boxes, picnic ware, cookbooks and aprons were downsized. The owner had a great collection of trays and larger plastic storage containers, as well as an un-used wine rack and an ideal box for storing bread – all of which I utilised in zoning the new pantry space.
I hopped on a ladder and wiped down all pantry surfaces before the food was returned. Zones for baking, beverages, dinners, and pet food were set out, including a breakfast bar which separated the children’s cereals from mum’s muesli, and an area for the owner’s pretty collection of colourful gins – because why can’t a pantry be both functional and beautiful.
My favourite moment was right at the end of the job, when the owner exclaimed, “Oh my goodness! The doors close!”