Declutter with clear thinking
need help in sorting out messy drawers and chaotic cupboards? then take tips from the declutterers to the a-list...
so, january’s almost over and that resolution to declutter, get organised and put things where you can actually find them is looking a little ropey.
Time to check out The Home Edit. Created by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin (both above left), the Americanbased pair are all about stylish sorting – cupboards and drawers that get you organised, but also make all your stuff look gorgeous. Think chic, clear containers that work together and are decorated with pretty category labels.
Their way of working has bagged them 1.4m followers on Instagram and an A-list clientele. Clea and Joanna have organised Gwyneth Paltrow’s playroom (above), as well as her pantry and that of Kim Kardashian (right), while Reese Witherspoon’s production company is currently filming a series with them for Netfix.
And from this month, their smart, see-through containers are exclusively available from John Lewis. Here, Clea and Joanna give us their tips on how to get organised easily and stylishly...
■ Focus on one space at a time. A single drawer is the best jumping-off point because it’s manageable and will give you your first big win.
■ Think about the supplies you need to help organise your space. For example, if it’s a pantry, think jars and cereal containers. Make sure they coordinate with each other or it will look messy.
■ Editing is crucial. Remove everything from the space, then group the items by category (for a home office, categorise piles of paper into things like business, taxes, pending projects, etc) and pare this down to only the items you want or need.
■ Organise these categories back into the space using the containers you’ve already bought. Our rule of thumb is functionality and logic first, then style.
■ Label, label, label! Labels are critical!
■ Remove any unnecessary packaging wherever it makes sense. Not only does it maximise space and make everything look cleaner, but you’ll also be saving a step when you need to access the item.