Too busy to tidy: Decluttering services see boom in Bengaluru

As Bengaluru’s fast-paced lifestyle leaves residents with little time to manage their homes, professional organisers and decluttering services are seeing a steady rise in demand. What began as a pandemic-era habit has evolved into a niche but growing industry, with many turning their knack for tidying into full-fledged careers.

“We initially got five to six homes to clean a month, but since last year, we’ve had about three to four homes a week,” says Shruthi Akshay of The Tiidy Touch. Most of her clients, she notes, are young couples, IT professionals, and corporates.

“The issue often stems from the fact that we were never really taught how to organise or maintain a home — we simply followed what we saw growing up,” adds Shruthi, who has been a professional organiser for three years. 

Yamini Sushma Devi’s 23-year-old ‘Hometastic By Yamini’ sees more seasonal demand. “March is usually busy, as it’s considered auspicious for housewarming ceremonies. November is slower due to Karthika maasa, when fewer people move into new homes,” she says. She also regularly receives requests from cities such as Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Shillong.

A common challenge, organisers say, is convincing clients to let go of possessions. “We advise them to discard anything they haven’t used in a year,” says Shruthi. “Older clients are usually harder to persuade.”

Decluttering process

The process typically begins with a site visit, followed by a detailed plan. Amulya Aldi, founder of Mom Made Home, says every home requires a tailored approach. "I begin by asking the client for photos of their space. Next, I explain our process and how we can address their challenges. Once we have established a proper plan, I visit the client's location to organise everything according to their schedule and habits. Throughout this process, I make sure to incorporate their input at every stage," she explains.

Once the process is complete, organisers create systems that clients can follow independently for up to a year. Many reach out due to a lack of space, often caused by excessive buying and hoarding. “People tend to purchase more than they need,” says Shruthi. “We help them eliminate non-essential items and organise what remains.”

Pricing and services

Services range from complete home resets and move-in organisation to decluttering specific spaces such as kitchens, bedrooms, home offices, closets, and garages. Shruthi and Amulya charge around Rs 2,500 per hour for smaller projects, while Yamini’s services range between Rs 5,000 and Rs 8,000 per day, depending on the workload. 

Organisers also source materials such as storage units and spacers to create systems that are both functional and sustainable.

For clients, the appeal goes beyond aesthetics. Ravindra, a 37-year-old entrepreneur, hired a professional organiser for his new home. “I was initially hesitant
about allowing someone into my personal space, but I quickly felt
at ease after speaking with the team,” he says, adding that the process improved functionality and reduced stress.

Sabya Sachi Shivam, a marketing and communications professional, has used such services twice during relocations. “Privacy was a concern at first, but these services are common abroad,” she says.