I just finished the biggest, most emotional, most impactful home makeover —and I’m still buzzing from it. It wasn’t just a transformation of a space; it was a transformation of how a family lives and feels in their home. And the best part? It was for the amazing Jessica McCabe from How to ADHD.
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your home, especially with ADHD in the mix, this whole home makeover will leave you feeling inspired, hopeful, and ready to tackle your clutter.
Meeting Jessica: A YouTube Star and New Mom
When I first met Jessica at an ADHD conference, I was starstruck. I’ve been watching her channel (How to ADHD) for years—her “Hello Brains!” always makes me smile. But when she reached out for help and sent me a video walkthrough of her home, my heart broke a little. Every surface, every room was filled with clutter. I knew that feeling all too well—the one where your house becomes so overwhelming, you stop seeing it. You just… survive in it.
Jessica and her partner Raphael were drowning in stuff and chaos. Between writing a New York Times bestselling book and having a baby, their house had become a holding zone, not a home. They hadn’t truly unpacked, invested, or organized. And now? They needed to thrive.
Visual Organizers & Clutter Personalities: Butterfly Alert!
Jessica’s organizing style became clear almost immediately—she’s a classic Butterfly 🦋. That means she’s a visual organizer who needs to see her stuff to remember it exists. But when everything is out, it turns into visual clutter and nothing actually stands out. Pair that with a coat closet turned “doom closet,” overflowing counters, and zero designated zones… it was clear this house needed an ADHD-friendly system overhaul.
Starting the Declutter: Goodbye Guilt, Hello Rules (Kinda)
Decluttering is never just about stuff. It’s about emotions, history, and how your brain works. So I gave Jessica and Raphael some gentle “soft rules” to follow:
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If you haven’t used it in a year…
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If you wouldn’t buy it again…
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If it doesn’t make you happy or serve a purpose…
Let it go.
We laughed, we cried, we said goodbye to random items being kept because someday we might need them. No regrets!
The Messy Middle
The middle of any whole home declutter is the worst. You question your life choices, your sanity, and whether you’ve made a huge mistake. By midday on Day 1, we had only finished two closets. I was panicking. But that messy middle is where the magic brews—it’s the war before the peace.
We powered through it by remembering: decluttering isn’t about being perfect, it’s about creating flow. And ADHD brains need visual cues, not hidden bins of chaos.
Zoning In
The key to this whole home makeover was zoning! We created functional areas that make sense for how Jess and Raphael actually live:
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Entryway Launchpads for every family member (yes, even the dog!)
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A Real Coffee Station so the kitchen counters could breathe and Raphael had a place for this special interest.
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Doom Cabinets turned into Organized Cabinets using narrow IKEA storage
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A Beautiful Grown Up Playroom that honors Jessica’s love for music and reading
Every inch of their home now has a purpose—and more importantly, a system that makes it work (and will continue to work long after we leave).
The Power of Letting Go
One of the most beautiful moments? When Raphael shared that in a previous relationship, he was scared to let go of things because he feared losing everything and he’d have to start over and re-buy his stuff. But this time, he felt secure. That trust between them—the ability to say, “We’re safe together. We can let this go”—was the heart of the transformation.
It just further proves that decluttering isn’t just physical. It’s emotional and it can be healing.
The Big Reveal
We revealed the final space to Jessica and Raphael—and I’ll be honest, there were tears. They finally saw their home not as a pitstop, but as a real home. Their daughter now has a magical play area. Their kitchen is usable and calm. Their living room reflects their personalities and passions. Everything has been zoned with ADHD friendly organization.
Jessica said, “I’ve been trying to accomplish something like this since my mom died and I lost the home I had to go home to.” And now? She has that feeling again. She’s home. 💕
You Deserve to Thrive
If you’re struggling with clutter—especially as someone with ADHD—you’re not alone. Your home should support how your brain works, not work against it. This whole home makeover was proof that with the right strategies, patience, and a little fun, any space can go from chaos to calm.
Want to see how Jessica felt about the process? Catch it on her channel HERE.
MORE ADHD ORGANIZING HACKS & IDEAS HERE
WATCH MORE HOME MAKEOVERS HERE🏡
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