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Home organization may feel ubiquitous now, but when Jenna Nelson launched Top Shelf Organizing in 2014, the concept was far from mainstream. Ahead of Instagram-perfect pantries and viral "spark joy" moments, Nelson saw a growing need in Nashville for systems that actually worked. Today, her elevated approach blends function with tranquility, helping clients reshape not just their spaces, but how they live in them. Read on for the origins of the elevated home organizing business and Nelson's expert advice.
Nashville Lifestyles: What gap did you see in the Nashville market that inspired you to start Top Shelf Organizing?
Jenna Nelson: When I started Top Shelf in 2014, home organizing wasn't as popular or as well-known as it is now. The Home Edit and Marie Kondo weren't household names yet, so hiring someone to get your home organized wasn't even a consideration for most people. I looked for organizing companies to work with in Nashville prior to starting Top Shelf, but the online presence wasn't very strong, so I decided to start my own company. It wasn't necessarily a gap I was looking to fill, but I knew that the fact that I had a hard time finding a company meant the need was there for more organizers in the city.
NL: You mention a growing interest in home organization in Nashville. What's driving that shift right now?
JN: The digital world is definitely the driving force behind the interest in home organizing. It started with Instagram and The Home Edit and then picked up during COVID-19 with Marie Kondo's Netflix show. It was during that time that organizing, "ROYGBIV," and "spark joy" became more of a mainstream phenomenon, and it's continued to grow each year. What once seemed completely out of reach for "regular" people — an organized, show-worthy space — is now a possibility, and people can see it all over their social media accounts. Organization books were helpful, but "walking" through a space is more impactful.
NL: For someone overwhelmed by clutter, where's the best place to start?
JN: The easiest place to start is to remove what doesn't belong or what you no longer want or need. Whether that's trash or items you know you want to donate, removing the items that don't belong in that space is the first and easiest step to getting it under control. Once all of that excess is out of the way, it's much easier to see what's left and go from there.
NL: What's one organizing habit that instantly makes a home feel calmer?
JN: Put things away right away.
NL: Which areas of the home are most worth investing in professional organization?
JN: I always tell people to start with the main area that affects your everyday life. For most people, it's bedroom closets or pantries and kitchens, but garages are also game changers.
NL: Beyond visual impact, what emotional or lifestyle shifts do clients notice after a project is complete?
JN: Clients often talk about feeling lighter. The weight of the "stuff" in their home is no longer weighing on them, and it's a visible change. They breathe easier, they smile more as the day goes on, and as strange as it sounds, quite often the house feels lighter. They usually feel a sense of accomplishment and pride, and often feel empowered to tackle even more on their own.
NL: How have custom builds and renovations changed the way clients think about organization from the start?
JN: Doing custom builds means you no longer have to adjust your items to fit the space. Now people know they can adjust the space to fit what they own. I always ask my clients to send me their blueprints because I can tell them if the space is going to work for their needs. Starting out with a space designed specifically for you and your needs means an easier time maintaining it.
NL: How do you strike a balance between beautiful homes that still work day to day?
JN: Removing the excess, implementing a system, and then making it a habit to maintain that system will make the space feel beautiful because it won't be a chaotic mess anymore. Even if they don't get new products, organizing a space will always elevate it and make it look beautiful.
NL: What area of the home tends to deliver the biggest transformation once it's properly organized?
JN: Garages, for sure. Pantries and closets are fun, but when you have a garage that's so filled with clutter and trash you can't fit a car in it, finally being able to park a car (or two!) inside is a pretty big transformation.
NL: What is one simple, polished system readers could implement this weekend?
JN: Break down your cardboard boxes! Another simple system is to keep a bin or a bag in your closet or bedroom for donations, and anytime you put something on you don't like, instead of putting it back in the closet, just put it in the bin or bag. Keep that up until it's full, and then take it to a donation site. There's no use putting clothes you don't like and never wear back in the closet.