It’s prime spring cleaning season, and Marie Kondo isn’t the only one helping us to #sparkjoy. The Home Edit duo of Clea Shearrer and Joanna Teplin are like a funnier, less serious version of the famed reserved organizer (we still love you Marie, don’t worry). Their one million Instagram followers must agree—if you like photos of pantries organized by the colors of the rainbow and also enjoy quips about airlines who run out of Champagne in first class (it’s less pompous than it sounds, trust us) then you’ll enjoy both The Home Edit’s organizational skills and humor.
We still adore the KonMari method (that’s why we’re so excited for her newest book about decluttering your workspace)—and yes, we’ve heard the buzz about The FlyLady too—but we keep coming back to The Home Edit for their eye-catching style and solid tips.
Their book, “The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals” is still a #1 bestseller a year after its release, and if you haven’t read it, now’s the time. It takes you through their organizational ethos, which is actually pretty simple:
Step 1: Pare down your belongings.
Step 2: Arrange your belongings in a “stunning” way by grouping them by color and/or category. Place items into attractive containers. Label these containers using beautiful handwriting.
Step 3: Reward yourself with a glass of Champagne and/or candy of choice. Maintain.
The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals, $12.35 on Amazon
Read all about it (and get bonus refrigerator labels, which are included with the book).
The Home Edit Life: The No-Guilt Guide to Owning What You Want and Organizing Everything, $27.50 on Amazon
Heads-up: You can pre-order their second book now, due out this September!
Related Reading: 11 Organization Tips from The Home Edit to Get Your Kitchen in Shape
Even we can commit to mastering three steps (especially if the third step is Champagne and candy.) And if we can, we know you can too. So whether you live in a big house with an actual pantry (#goals) or live in a cramped city apartment with one set of cupboards (raises own hand) this dynamic duo has a storage solution for all. Keep reading for a list of products that will make your home so organized you’ll be sharing photos of your own pantry on Instagram.
Pantry Organization Options:
- Grey Montauk Woven Rectangular Storage Bins, $19.99+ at The Container Store
- Rectangular Montauk Kitchen Bins, $7.49+ at The Container Store
- VonHaus Seagrass Storage Baskets (Set of 4), $54.95 on Amazon
- Bormioli Hermetic Glass Storage Jars, $3.19+ at The Container Store
- Oggi 4-Piece Acrylic Canister (Set of 4) with Airtight Lids, $28.74 on Amazon
- Airtight Spice Jars with Hinged Lids (Set of 12), $17.99 on Amazon
- InterDesign Linus Open Stackable Bins, $9.99+ at The Container Store
- The Home Edit Rainbow Storage Bins, $4.79+ on Amazon
- InterDesign Clear Linus Divided Lazy Susans, $14.39+ at The Container Store
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Lipper International Acacia Wood 10-Inch Kitchen Turntable, $19.99 on Amazon
- Copco Non-Skid 2-Tier Lazy Susan Turntable, $12.99 on Amazon
- White Bin Clip Labels (Set of 3), $7.99 at The Container Store
- Sharpie Paint Marker Fine Point Oil Based (Set of 5), $14.09 at Target
- Sharpie Oilbased Paint Markers (Set of 3), $9 on Amazon
- Scotch Dry Erase Tape in White, $7.11 on Amazon
Refrigerator Organization Options:
- Glass Refrigerator Pitchers, $7.99+ at The Container Store
- Prodyne Fruit Infusion Flavor Pitcher, $19.99 on Amazon (originally $24.99)
- Tellfresh Tall Food Storage with Lids, $4.99+ at The Container Store
- Glass Food Storage Containers Airtight (Set of 5), $25.99 on Amazon (originally $39.99)
- InterDesign Linus Pantry Bins, $10.39+ at The Container Store
- Refrigerator Organizer Stackable Food Storage Containers (Set of 6), $29.99 on Amazon
In the Kitchen
For Your Pantry:
We’re starting off with the most important room in the house (where we keep the snacks). It turns out you only need a few simple products to completely transform your pantry—check out Gwyneth Paltrow’s pantry for a little inspo.
Once you’ve arranged your items into categories, place packaged items (granola bars, fruit snacks, chips, etc.) into open bins.
Grey Montauk Woven Rectangular Storage Bins, $19.99+ at The Container Store (originally $19.99-24.99)
Place non-packaged items (pasta/grains, flours, dried fruits) into glass or plastic jars.
Put canned goods into sturdy, clear stacking bins (or take a shortcut to The Home Edit’s signature ROYGBIV aesthetic with rainbow-colored plastic bins from their own line at The Container Store).
If you know anything about The Home Edit, you know they love a good lazy Susan (aka turntable). Easily store condiments or oils and maximize awkward spaces with this genius product.
Once everything is put away, label it so you can easily see what it is at a glance.
Most of the above products can be repurposed for other rooms in the house as well. For example, a lazy Susan/turntable is a great solution to store cleaning products or toiletries under the bathroom or kitchen sink. Storage baskets and accompanying labels can be utilized in every room—from a closet shelf to a playroom or mudroom. For more specific room-based product picks, check out our other favorite The Home Edit-approved products below.
For Your Refrigerator:
The fridge might be the most fun space to organize since there are ample opportunities to play with color and organize in ROYGBIV order (think colorful fruits and vegetables, juices, etc…) With a few simple products, you can help keep your fridge clean and organized so everyone can find what they’re looking for (and enjoy looking for it).
Putting water and juices into pretty glass pitchers instead of keeping them in packaging helps maintain a streamlined look.
Keep pre-cut fruit in glass storage containers for ease and looks (hello colors of the rainbow).
Use open storage bins to contain a variety of items to keep similar items together and to contain any possible spills.
In the Rest of the House (or Apartment)
Closet Organization Options:
- Shoe Box Cases, $2+ at The Container Store
- Sterilite Storage Box (Set of 12), $27.09 on Amazon
- 24-Pocket Over the Door Shoe Organizer, $29.99 at The Container Store
- MISSLO Over The Door Shoe Organizer, $13.99 on Amazon
- Premium Non-Slip Velvet Hangers, 10 for $8.99 at The Container Store
- AmazonBasics Velvet Suit Hangers (Set of 100), $40.99 on Amazon
- Navy Fabric Storage Bin with Rope Handles, $16.99 at The Container Store
- Grey Laguna Cotton Fabric Storage Bins, $9.99+ at The Container Store
- Vintiquewise Seagrass Lined Shelf Basket, $13.73 on Amazon
- Palaset Clear Magazine Holder, $11.99+ at The Container Store
- mDesign Plastic File Folder Bin Storage Organizer (Set of 4), $39.99 on Amazon
Bathroom Organization Options:
- Acrylic Stackable Drawer Organizers, $2.39+ at The Container Store
- Sorbus Cosmetics Makeup and Jewelry Big Storage Case Display, $27.99 on Amazon
- Clear Stackable Plastic Storage Bins, $1.59+ at The Container Store
- mDesign Deep Plastic Storage Bin with Handles, $9.99 on Amazon
- Braided Water Hyacinth Storage Cube with Handles, $31.99+ at The Container Store
- CHICVITA Large Jute Basket with Handles, $25.99 on Amazon
- Harvest Wire Storage Baskets with Handles, $24.99+ at The Container Store
- Spectrum Diversified Wire Storage Basket, $14.50 on Amazon
For Your Closet:
We don’t all have giant walk-in closets that you could do a cartwheel in (although this is something we frequently dream about), but there are ways to maximize the space you do have.
We LOVE shoes (who doesn’t) but never seem to have enough room to store all of them without piling them into a corner on the closet floor. Instead of doing that, place shoes into clear plastic containers with snap-on lids. This will keep your shoes dust-free and will allow for quick visual inventory since you can see what’s in the container without having to open it.
Another great way to store shoes is to create additional storage space with an over-the-door organizer. This is also good for sunglasses, small bags, and scarves.
Have more respect for your clothing than hanging it on those cheap wire hangers from the drycleaners. Upgrade to beautiful velvet hangers—they’ll hold anything (no more slippage) and help your clothing retain its shape.
If you have shelving in your closet, instead of loosely folding clothing into piles (that will only stay organized for two minutes) put everything into pretty storage bins like the ones below.
Magazine holders actually work great for storing clutches and wristlets. Beyond accessories, you can also store notebooks/stationery, board games and boxed puzzles.
For Your Bathroom:
The bathroom can be a difficult place to organize due to all of the tiny items in this space (bottles of face serums and nail polishes, bobby pins, eyeshadows, etc…) Luckily, The Home Edit has some great tips for keeping this space chaos-free.
Arrange all of those small products neatly in a clear drawer organizer. As a bonus, this will keep products from leaking onto the actual drawer in case of a spill.
Store larger bottled products like extra shampoo and hairspray in an open, clear storage cube.
Store extra bath towels, paper towels, or toilet paper in woven or wire baskets.
Now that you’ve got the tips (and the products) to organize your home like a pro, share a photo of your gorgeous refrigerator or pantry on Instagram and be sure to tag @Chowhound for a chance to be featured on our account.
Header image courtesy of The Container Store.
