Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO)

Overview

The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO) is the UK's professional body for individuals working in the decluttering and organising sector. Based in Chester, APDO represents and supports professionals who help clients create organised, functional living and working spaces through decluttering, space planning and organisational solutions. Whether you're an established declutterer and organiser, setting up a new business in this field, or considering a career change into professional organising, APDO provides the structure, standards and community for your profession.

Who Should Join?

APDO is relevant to professional declutterers and organisers operating across the UK. This includes:

• Self-employed declutterers and organisers offering services to residential clients
• Professional organisers working with businesses and organisations to optimise their spaces and workflows
• Individuals starting a career or business in decluttering and organising
• Established practitioners looking to formalise their professional standing
• Practitioners seeking recognition, training and development within the sector

While specific eligibility criteria should be confirmed directly with APDO, the association welcomes professionals at different stages of their career and experience levels in the decluttering and organising field.

Why Join?

APDO membership provides professional credibility and recognition in a growing sector where standards and professional identity remain relatively new. Joining signals to potential clients that you operate to established professional standards, understand best practice, and are committed to professional development.

For a profession built on trust and working within clients' homes and private spaces, APDO membership offers reassurance to clients that you are part of a recognised professional community with shared values. This can be a significant differentiator when marketing your services and building your client base.

Beyond credibility, membership connects you to a peer community of other professionals in your field, addressing the isolation that self-employed practitioners often experience. Access to other declutterers and organisers creates opportunities for referrals, shared learning, and professional support as your business grows.

Member Benefits & Opportunities

APDO membership typically provides:

• Professional recognition and credentials — use of APDO membership status to build client confidence and market your services
• Access to a professional community — connect with other declutterers and organisers across the UK, share experiences and build referral networks
• Professional development and training — opportunities to develop skills, learn new techniques and stay current with best practice in organising and decluttering
• Professional guidance and support — access to advice on running a professional decluttering or organising business, including health and safety, client management and business practices
• Networking opportunities — connect with other professionals, potential collaborators and suppliers within the sector
• Industry representation — membership of a collective voice advocating for professional standards and recognition of the decluttering and organising profession

For the most current and comprehensive list of membership benefits, visit APDO's official website or contact the association directly.

Industry Role & Professional Standing

APDO plays an important role in establishing professional standards within the decluttering and organising sector. As the UK's professional body in this field, the association works to raise the profile of professional decluttering and organising, promote best practice, and give the profession a collective voice.

By joining APDO, you become part of this professional movement, contributing to the establishment of recognised standards and helping to elevate the status of decluttering and organising as legitimate, valued professions. This is particularly important for a sector where clients may not have clear ways to identify qualified, trustworthy professionals without external accreditation or association membership.

For professionals committed to building a sustainable, respected career in decluttering and organising, APDO membership provides the professional infrastructure and community that help establish credibility, support professional growth, and connect you to the wider professional movement shaping this evolving sector.