Keeping Laguna's Homes Organized with Neat by Nika

Part of the charm of living in Laguna is its uniqueness. Gorgeous homes with character are the norm up and down Laguna’s hillsides, however, we all know space can be limited. A dash of creativity is often needed to store all of the belongings you’ve collected throughout life — and, of course, to create space for the new memories to come.

Laguna Beach local, Nika Shalala is here to help with her home organization business, Neat by Nika. 

An organizational consultant specializing in all levels of creative organization and decluttering, Nika curates lifestyle organization for both personal, business, and home (including homes just hitting the market)!

“My mission is to curate style and organization to create harmonious spaces,” says the professional organizer. Simply put, Nika declutters and reorganizes your space until it’s neat, tidy, and pleasing.

Growing up, Nika was always a neat freak and loved the process of organizing. In adulthood, she fell into a career staging homes, where she learned the importance of simplifying to make things look better. Two years ago, however, when the pandemic hit and friends found themselves at home with a desire to turn their spaces into arrangements more conducive to living (and working-from-home), she realized her skills were needed past the staging aspect. She decided to go all in and transitioned her passion into a full-blown business, helping Laguna residents utilize their space effectively.

“Laguna was the perfect place to get Neat by Nika up and running,” she shares. “My clients tend to have limited space and need to utilize it more efficiently. Being a coastal California town, many people are board riders and outdoor enthusiasts, which can take up a lot of space. I love to help organize their recreational items and still create room for other important possessions.”

“Most days it’s like solving a puzzle to make a project come together.”

While every job is different, Nika comes to each project with a plethora of tricks and helpful tools to help people declutter. (The 1st step always being to encourage clients to go through their belongings and part with things that are no longer needed or wanted.)

Each project is different and rewarding in its own right. “Laguna is a great inspiration,” she says. “It’s full of forward thinkers seeking physical and mental growth and I’m happy to have a positive influence in that direction.”

If you want to simplify your life by implementing an organized method for your space, find Nika on Instagram at @neatbynika or on her website, neatbynika.com.