Alex Coleburn joined Minima as an Organizing Assistant in 2016 and is now our Senior Project Manager, typically the first person our Richmond clients meet. I thought it was high time we featured her home and life on the Minima Journal!

Alex shares her 1,280-square-foot Southside Richmond home with her husband, Joe, and their two young kids, Isaac and Mimi. Her graphic design background shines through in her space: a colorful balance of form and function peppered with unique artwork. Read on to learn how she keeps life organized with a family.

An organized home with kids — Alex in her dining room, which holds books, records, and vintage furniture she’s collected over the years

Kristen: What’s the biggest thing you’ve learned from working with Minima?

Alex: You don’t need every organizing gadget or product to make a space function well. It’s about editing first and seeing what you can repurpose. So many times, I’ve wanted to buy something, only to realize during the editing process that I didn’t need it. Organization is much easier when you aren’t storing an overabundance of things.

K: What’s a day in the life like when you’re not working with Minima?

A: Hanging out with family and friends, exercising, and cooking.

K: What’s your favorite spot in your home and why?

A: The kitchen! Since I cook a lot, it’s essential that everything is organized where I actually use it, making cleanup quick and easy.

Alex’s pro tip: “If you don’t want to buy matching spice jars, just buy the same brand at the store so they look uniform. I’m currently transitioning all of ours to Frontier Co-op.”

K: What’s your biggest organizing win or habit that has improved your family’s quality of life?

A: Realizing we don’t need so many toys. My kids’ play kitchen came with about ten accessories that used to frustrate me because I was constantly picking them up. I cut them down to five, which made cleanup much easier. We’ve also set healthy limits on new toy intake and clear boundaries around incoming gifts.

K: What’s the hardest area of your home to keep organized and why?

A: Isaac and Mimi’s closets. Since we don’t have a coat or utility closet, they have to double as general storage for items that wouldn’t typically belong in their rooms.

K: What do you love most about your work with Minima?

A: I find so much joy in helping people create systems tailored to their specific needs. I truly believe our work is life-changing.

Thank you for opening up your home to us, Alex!

An Organized Home with Kids: Alex Coleburn of Minima

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