10 GOLDEN RULES
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, the duo behind Netflix’s hit show The Home Edit, on creating foolproof systems that will keep you organised
of decluttering
1 Don’t feel guilty about editing
Fill your home with only the things that you like, need or have sentimental value. If an item doesn’t fit into one of these particular groups, it can go.
2 It’s ok to own things
Resisting your reality instead of embracing it is unproductive, and ultimately, not useful. You are better off spending time looking for an organising solution that suits your life and its various components, rather than trying to live like someone else.
3 Live by the 80/20 rule
Everything you own takes up space and even the largest home will run out of square footage. Reserve at least 20 per cent for breathing room. Using all the available space is like eating until you are overly full – it feels uncomfortable.
4 Get your family on board
Perhaps you’ve designated smart, individual hooks for each member of the family, but they never use them? Instead, try floor bins or attractive baskets, for everyone to drop their things into.
5 Life becomes easier with systems that flow alongside your daily routine
The best way to organise any space is to first make it as functional as possible, before trying to make it beautiful. If you’re only focusing on making a space look good, it will never work properly.
6 Think in zones
These can be large zones, such as for cooking staples in a pantry, or small zones that section off a beauty supplies drawer in your bathroom. Boundaries give your items a designated space and hold you accountable for not exceeding that space.
7 Add a label
Most of the time, a label is part of an organised system. But sometimes they just look good – and that’s okay too. The better a space looks, the more likely you are to maintain it.
8 Uniformity is key
Pick products wisely, as mismatched pieces can make a space look dishevelled and a little disconnected. Pay attention to smaller details and if you do decide to mix products, make sure they look intentional together.
9 Be spatially aware
Look at the entire space before implementing any changes. You want to make sure you’re taking advantage of all the available room in order to get the best results. Think in odd numbers: three baskets on a shelf look a lot better than four. If you need to fill the space, centre the baskets and spread them out evenly. 10 ROYGBIV whenever possible Line your things up according to the colours of the rainbow. This can be part of a deliberate system, but sometimes… it’s just for fun!