11 Organizing Tips from The Home Edit's Netflix Show

I recently finished my binge of The Home Edit’s new Netflix show: Get Organized with The Home Edit. Based on the social media chatter, the nearly sold-out Container Store + Home Edit bin line, and the fact that both of The Home Edit books have been in the top 20 of Amazon books since the show aired, it seems I am not alone. As a fellow professional organizer and admirer of what owners Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin have created, I was looking forward to watching the show. I enjoyed it, while sympathizing with both ends of the review spectrum.

I compiled 11 tips from the show that I confirm are helpful for anyone trying to get organized!  

Their process is just right: Edit, Categorize, Contain, Maintain/Label

Edit:

1. Keep an item if you: need it, use it or love it. EQ Bonus: aim for each item in your house to fall into at least two of these options.

2. There are clues in your house about how you use things. Is it shoved to the back of a cabinet? Always in the way? Covered in dust? Then you probably don’t need it, love it, or use it. Pay attention to the clues.

3. Try to stay away from buying and keeping “one-offs” (a lonely mug you bought only because it was on sale, a pillow that doesn’t match your home décor because it was cute, etc.).

4. You either get the item or the space. Think of what you are giving up because that item is taking up space. A workout area? Counter space for relaxed baking?

Categorize/Contain:

5. Make ZONES!

-       Zones can help set visual and physical limits on how much you have (you’ll know when you reach an accumulation point).

-       It’s okay to keep some sentimental items. If they don’t look great on display, store them all in one place.

-       Be aware of “touch access” items, keep them in an easily accessible spot. Especially in an office.

Contain:

6. Rainbow color code kids books! They always look good and are easy to find.

7. Let things breathe! Just because you have the space, you do not have to fill it.

8. Don’t forget about vertical space. There are a lot of easy-to-install floating shelves these days.

9. Remember two of my favorite organizing words: visible and accessible. Try to keep most of your items visible (clear bins = no graveyard) and easy to reach.

Maintain/Label:

10. Labels are the key to maintenance.

11. Every space needs a little tune-up now and again. Most people don’t move a lot, it is normal to need to reassess.

Oh! And if you want help with this process, professional organizers are here to help!