Síobhan O'Connor
Transforming Irish family homes through practical storage systems, weather-resistant solutions, and spaces that actually work with how families live.
clonabrine Limited
The Story Behind the Systems
Síobhan's path into home organisation started in 2010 when she was working as an interior designer in Dublin. She'd noticed something the design textbooks didn't really address: most Irish homes weren't built with climate-appropriate storage in mind. Period properties with limited hallway space. Damp that damages unsealed boxes. Children's bedrooms where rotation systems fall apart after two weeks because the system didn't match how the family actually lived.
Frustrated by the gap between standard design templates and the realities of Irish family life, she completed professional certifications in residential organisation through the International Association of Professional Organisers. But more importantly, she started paying attention to what worked—and what didn't—in the homes she was consulting on.
Over the past 14 years, she's worked with over 2,000 Irish families across Dublin, Cork, and beyond. She's designed hallway mudroom systems that handle wet weather gear without the clutter. Built labelled bin systems for children's playrooms that kids can actually maintain. Maximised kitchen pantry space in standard Irish home layouts—not theoretical layouts, real homes with real dimensions. Created family command centres that keep schedules, keys, and paperwork organised instead of scattered across the kitchen counter.
What drives her work is straightforward: organisation isn't about perfection. It's about designing spaces that work with how your family actually lives, accounting for Irish weather, school chaos, and the unique constraints of period properties.
Areas of Expertise
Fourteen years of designing storage solutions specifically for Irish family homes
Hallway & Mudroom Storage
Designing practical weather-resistant storage for rainy Irish climate. Wet gear systems that don't spread damp through the house. Maximising awkward hallway spaces in period properties.
Children's Bedroom & Playroom Systems
Building labelled bin systems kids understand. Creating rotation frameworks that reduce overwhelm. Organising toys and clothes so busy families can maintain it without burnout.
Kitchen Pantry & Press Space
Maximising storage in standard Irish kitchen layouts. Organising deep presses and narrow spaces. Creating systems that keep pantries functional and accessible for the whole family.
Seasonal Wardrobe Rotation
Building systems for Ireland's changeable climate. Rotating seasonal clothing without wasting space. Keeping wardrobes accessible and manageable through rain, wind, and unexpected sun.
Family Command Centre
Designing centralised systems for schedules, keys, and paperwork. Creating spaces where the family can actually find what they need. Building sustainable frameworks for busy households.
Storage Solutions Design
Whole-house organisation systems tailored to Irish family life. Problem-solving for unique spatial constraints. Creating sustainable, maintainable storage that lasts beyond the initial organising session.
Qualifications & Professional Background
Education, certifications, and experience spanning interior design and professional home organisation
Education
- Degree in Interior Design National College of Art and Design (NCAD), Dublin
- Professional Certification in Space Planning International Association of Professional Organisers
- Professional Certification in Residential Organisation International Association of Professional Organisers
Professional Experience
- Senior Home Organisation Specialist clonabrine Limited, 2010–Present (14 years)
- Interior Designer & Consultant Dublin-based design practice, 2005–2010
- Families Served Over 2,000 Irish families across Dublin, Cork, and beyond
Recognition & Publications
- Featured in Irish Home Magazines Regular contributor on home organisation and storage solutions
- RTE Home Television Guest expert on home organisation and space design
- Professional Training Trains other organisers in Irish-specific storage methodologies
Philosophy & Approach
How Síobhan thinks about organisation and what makes her systems different
It's Not About Perfection
Organisation isn't about achieving a magazine-perfect home or living with rigid rules that don't fit real life. It's about designing spaces that work with how your family actually lives. With the weather you've got. With the space you have. With the chaos of school runs and busy schedules.
Irish Homes Need Irish Solutions
Standard organisation templates don't account for the damp that comes with Irish weather. Or the unique dimensions of period properties. Or the fact that hallway space is often measured in inches, not feet. Síobhan's systems are built for Irish homes, by someone who understands the specific challenges families face here.
Systems Must Be Sustainable
The best organisation system is one your family can actually maintain. Not one that requires an hour of maintenance each week. Not one that falls apart after the school holidays. She designs frameworks that fit into real life, so the systems stick around long after the initial organising session ends.
Labels, Rotation & Accessibility
Clear labels mean everyone in the family knows where things go. Rotation systems prevent overwhelm and make seasonal changes manageable. And everything should be accessible—not stored in places that require a step ladder or digging through three other boxes to find what you need.
Q&A: On Storage, Spaces & Irish Family Life
What's the most common storage challenge you see in Irish homes?
Wet weather gear without anywhere proper to dry it. Families are putting damp coats in wardrobes, which spreads moisture through clothes and creates mould. Or they're using hallway space that's too narrow for standard coat rails. The first thing I usually do is create a proper mudroom system—doesn't have to be large, but it needs to be functional. Hooks at different heights, a drip tray or mat system, and somewhere the wet stuff can actually air out instead of damping down the whole hallway.
How do you approach children's bedroom organisation differently than adults' spaces?
Kids need systems they can understand and use without asking for help every time. That means clear visual labels—not just words, but pictures or colours that even younger children recognise. And rotation systems that actually match their attention span. Instead of having every toy visible at once, we rotate toys in and out. Less overwhelm for the child, less mess on the floor, and toys stay interesting because they're "new" every few weeks. The labels are crucial though. If kids don't know where something goes, it won't get put away.
What's your approach to kitchen storage in Irish homes, where press space is often limited?
We work with what you've got. Many Irish kitchens have deep presses and narrow shelves—that's actually useful space, we just need to organise it properly. Stackable containers that fit the depth. Shelf risers to create two layers where there was one. Clear labelling on the front so you're not opening three containers to find the rice. And we usually reduce what's actually in the kitchen—dried goods you haven't used in two years take up space better used for things the family actually cooks with. It's not about having more storage, it's about using the storage you have more efficiently.
How do you design seasonal wardrobe systems that work with Ireland's unpredictable weather?
Ireland doesn't really have seasons, it has layers. We don't do a full wardrobe rotation like you'd do in a country with clear summer and winter. Instead, we keep a working wardrobe year-round and rotate between warm layers, rain gear, and lighter pieces. The key is accessibility—rain jacket should be as easy to grab as a jumper because you'll need both on the same day. We usually keep off-season items in under-bed storage or a hallway cupboard, but the active wardrobe stays accessible. And everything gets labelled so family members aren't pulling out half the wardrobe trying to find matching rain boots.
What makes a family command centre actually work?
It needs to be in a place everyone passes—usually the kitchen or hallway. And it has to have zones: schedules (wall calendar or whiteboard), keys (hooks or a designated basket), and paperwork (file system or inbox trays). Everything visible, nothing hidden in drawers. Keys go missing because nobody knows where to look. Papers pile up because there's no system. Schedules cause chaos because they're on three different devices. A physical command centre brings all of that together in one place. It sounds simple, but it's genuinely transformative for busy families.
What's the biggest mistake families make when they try to organise on their own?
Buying storage solutions before they've actually decided what they're keeping. Families go to the shop, see nice baskets, buy six, come home and realise they don't fit the space or they don't match how the family actually lives. I always start with an audit: what are we keeping, where does it actually live, and what system would make this sustainable? Then we choose storage that fits those needs. Also, systems that look good but are too complicated don't stick. If it takes five minutes to put away the toys, it won't happen. Simplicity wins every time.
Featured Articles
Practical guides to home organisation systems and storage solutions
Mudroom & Hallway Storage Systems for Rainy Weather Gear
Designing practical weather-resistant storage solutions that handle Irish damp without spreading moisture through the house.
Read Article →Children's Bedroom & Playroom Organisation with Labelled Bins
Building rotation systems and labelled storage that kids understand and can maintain without constant parental intervention.
Read Article →Maximising Kitchen Pantry & Press Space in Irish Homes
Organising deep presses and limited kitchen storage using stackable containers and strategic labelling for busy families.
Read Article →Family Command Centre for Schedules, Keys & Paperwork
Creating a centralised system that keeps schedules visible, keys accessible, and paperwork organised for the whole family.
Read Article →Ready to Transform Your Home?
Explore more articles on home organisation, storage solutions, and systems designed specifically for Irish family homes. Or get in touch to discuss your space.