The Home Edit

The Home Edit Plot Summary

Introduction

Have you ever stood in the middle of your home, surrounded by clutter, and felt completely overwhelmed by the chaos? That feeling of paralysis when facing disorganized spaces is something we all experience. But what if transforming your home into a beautifully organized sanctuary was actually within your reach? The truth is, creating order out of chaos doesn't require special talents or professional expertise—it simply requires a thoughtful approach and a reliable system. Organization isn't just about making spaces look pretty. It's about creating functional systems that enhance your daily life, save you time, reduce stress, and bring a sense of calm to your environment. Throughout these pages, you'll discover that even the most organizationally-challenged person can master the art of transforming spaces. The methods we share are accessible to everyone, regardless of your starting point. Remember, if we can do it—and trust us, we've faced some truly chaotic spaces—you absolutely can too.

Chapter 1: The Edit: Taking Control Through Thoughtful Elimination

The edit is where all transformation begins—it's the critical first step in any organizing project, regardless of size. At its core, editing means taking everything out of a space, grouping similar items together, and making intentional decisions about what stays and what goes. This process gives you a clean slate and clear understanding of what you're working with before creating new systems. Clea and Joanna, the organizing duo behind these methods, faced a particularly daunting edit when tackling a client's overflowing closet that hadn't been properly sorted in fifteen years. The space was crammed with everything from outdated clothing to nostalgic items from college, making it nearly impossible to find daily essentials. The first step was removing every single item—creating temporary piles across the bedroom that initially shocked the client, who hadn't realized just how much had accumulated over time. As they sorted through the mountain of belongings, they created distinct groupings: everyday wear, special occasion items, sentimental pieces, and the never-worn-still-with-tags category. The physical grouping process revealed twenty-three white t-shirts and fifteen pairs of black pants—duplications the client hadn't realized existed. This visual inventory immediately made decision-making clearer, allowing them to pare down to the items that were actually worn and loved. The editing process follows three crucial steps. First, take absolutely everything out of the space—no cheating by leaving items inside. Second, create logical groupings by category, placing similar items together. Third, thoughtfully evaluate each group, asking questions like: "Do I use this?" "Do I love this?" "Does this deserve space in my home?" Be honest with yourself during this assessment, and remember that letting go of unused items creates space for the things that truly matter. When editing, keep separate bags for trash, donations, and items to give to friends or family. Having a clear exit strategy for unwanted items significantly increases the likelihood that they'll actually leave your home rather than ending up back in storage. For emotional or sentimental items that you're not ready to part with but don't need accessible, consider creating an archive storage area in a less prime location. The edit is undoubtedly the most challenging part of organizing, but it creates the foundation for everything that follows. By thoughtfully reducing your belongings to only what you use, need, and love, you're creating space—both physical and mental—for a more intentional and organized life.

Chapter 2: The Assembly: Creating Systems That Last

Assembly is where the magic happens—transforming your edited belongings into functional systems that work for your specific needs. This phase is all about thoughtfully arranging your items in a way that makes logical sense for how you actually live, ensuring everything has a designated home and is easily accessible based on frequency of use. When organizing a family's kitchen, Clea and Joanna encountered a common challenge: a beautiful space rendered dysfunctional by poor placement of everyday items. The homeowner, Sarah, was frustrated that making a simple breakfast required opening six different cabinets and drawers. Coffee mugs were stored far from the coffee maker, breakfast cereals were mixed with dinner items, and cooking utensils were scattered throughout multiple drawers with no logical system. The team completely reimagined the space by creating intuitive zones based on activity. They established a dedicated coffee station with mugs, filters, and coffee beans all within arm's reach of the machine. Breakfast items were consolidated into a single cabinet for easy morning access. Cooking utensils were sorted by type and frequency of use, with everyday items in easily accessible drawers and special occasion serving pieces stored higher up. To create systems that last, start by measuring your space carefully before purchasing any organizational products. Take photos of your shelves, drawers, and cabinets to reference while shopping. When selecting containers and dividers, choose options that maximize your available space while accommodating your specific items. Consistency in style and color creates visual calm and cohesion. Consider your actual lifestyle and habits when designing systems. If you're unlikely to transfer cereal from original packaging into containers, don't build a system that relies on that habit. Create zones that align with your natural patterns, placing frequently used items at eye level and within easy reach. Items used together should be stored together, eliminating unnecessary steps in daily routines. Remember that successful assembly is about balance—creating systems that are both beautiful and functional. The goal isn't perfect Instagram-worthy spaces but rather thoughtful organization that enhances your daily life. When items are intuitively placed in logical zones with clear visual cues for where things belong, maintaining order becomes significantly easier for everyone in your household.

Chapter 3: Form Meets Function: The Perfect Organizational Balance

Finding the sweet spot where form meets function is what elevates organization from merely practical to truly transformative. This principle centers on creating systems that not only work efficiently but also look beautiful, understanding that aesthetic appeal is a powerful motivator for maintaining order over time. In one particularly challenging project, Joanna and Clea worked with Lauren Conrad to organize her home office and crafting space. The room was filled with beautiful art supplies, fabric swatches, and design materials, but the visual chaos was inhibiting creativity rather than inspiring it. Lauren needed a system that would allow her to see her supplies while maintaining a clean, inspiring workspace that reflected her aesthetic sensibilities. Rather than hiding everything away in cabinets, they created a thoughtful balance. Frequently used supplies were arranged in clear acrylic organizers on the desktop for easy access. Colorful items like yarn and ribbons became visual elements, displayed in clear containers sorted by color to create an artistic rainbow effect. Less visually appealing but necessary items found homes in labeled drawers and bins, while seldom-used supplies were stored in higher cabinets. The result was a space that functioned efficiently while also serving as a source of creative inspiration. To achieve this balance in your own spaces, first identify the practical needs of the area—what activities happen there and what items are required. Then consider the aesthetic experience you want to create. Select storage solutions that serve both purposes, like attractive baskets that conceal everyday clutter or clear containers that showcase visually pleasing items while keeping them organized. Pay attention to color coordination and visual flow when arranging items. The ROYGBIV method (organizing by rainbow order) isn't just visually pleasing—it creates an intuitive system that makes it easier to find and return items to their proper places. Similarly, consistent container styles and colors create a cohesive look that's calming to the eye and brain. Remember that a beautiful system isn't just about aesthetics—it's about sustainability. When you enjoy looking at your organized spaces, you're more likely to maintain them. A pantry with coordinated containers and clear labels isn't just satisfying to see; it makes cooking more efficient and encourages everyone in the household to return items to their designated spots. This perfect balance between form and function is what transforms organization from a one-time project into a sustainable lifestyle.

Chapter 4: Rainbow Order: Why ROYGBIV Works Wonders

Rainbow ordering—arranging items according to the color spectrum (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet)—is more than just a visually pleasing aesthetic choice. It's a powerful organizational system that leverages how our brains naturally process and remember visual information, making it easier to find what we need and maintain order over time. When organizing Gwyneth Paltrow's playroom, Clea and Joanna faced the challenge of creating a system that would be beautiful yet practical enough for children to maintain. The space was filled with books, art supplies, toys, and games in a colorful assortment that initially appeared overwhelming. Rather than organizing by type alone, they incorporated rainbow ordering throughout the space, creating a stunning visual flow that also served as an intuitive navigation system. The transformation was remarkable. Books arranged in rainbow order created a beautiful display wall that made selecting and returning books intuitive for children. Art supplies organized by color in clear containers made creative projects more inspiring and cleanup more engaging. Even building blocks and LEGO pieces benefited from color coordination, making it easier for children to find specific pieces during play and sort them correctly during cleanup. Gwyneth later reported that her children had never been so motivated to maintain order in their playroom—the rainbow system had turned organization into an activity they actually enjoyed. Implementing rainbow order in your own spaces is straightforward. Start by sorting items within each category by color. For example, after grouping all t-shirts together, arrange them from red through violet. Apply this same principle to books, art supplies, pantry items, or even digital files. For multicolored items, choose the dominant color as your guide. The rainbow system works particularly well for visual learners and children, as it creates a memorable pattern that's easy to follow without written labels. It's especially effective for craft supplies, clothing, books, and food items where color is an obvious distinguishing feature. Even in professional environments like offices, color-coding file systems can dramatically improve efficiency. Beyond its practical benefits, rainbow ordering adds a layer of joy to organization. There's something inherently satisfying about seeing items arranged in this harmonious sequence that makes spaces feel more intentional and curated. This emotional response creates a powerful incentive to maintain the system, transforming organization from a chore into a visual pleasure that everyone in the household can appreciate and participate in maintaining.

Chapter 5: Label Everything: Your Secret to Sustainable Organization

Labeling is the critical final step that transforms a temporarily organized space into a sustainable system that everyone can maintain. Far more than a decorative finishing touch, labels serve as clear instructions that remove guesswork, create accountability, and ensure items return to their proper homes after use. When working with Mandy Moore on her kitchen pantry, Clea and Joanna encountered a beautifully designed space that wasn't functioning efficiently. Despite having plenty of storage, Mandy and her husband regularly purchased duplicate items because they couldn't locate what they already had, and guests were constantly asking where things belonged. The pantry looked organized at first glance but lacked the visual cues needed for easy navigation and maintenance. The transformation began with thoughtful categorization followed by clear, consistent labeling. They created designated zones for breakfast, baking, snacks, and dinner items, with each container receiving a label that was general enough to be flexible but specific enough to be useful. Custom spice jars were clearly labeled and arranged on turntables. Even the shelves themselves received category labels to ensure items returned to the correct zone. Within weeks, Mandy reported that her household ran more efficiently—no more buying duplicate items or spending time searching for ingredients during meal preparation. Effective labeling requires finding the right balance between general and specific categories. For instance, rather than labeling individual snack types that might change with your next shopping trip, create a general "Snacks" bin. Reserve specific labels for consistent categories where you have substantial quantities, like "Pasta" or "Baking Supplies." This flexibility allows your system to accommodate changes in your household inventory without requiring constant reorganization. Consider the appropriate labeling method for each space. High-traffic areas used by multiple people benefit from bold, clear labels that can be read from a distance. For more personal spaces like bathroom drawers, smaller, more discreet labels might be sufficient. Digital label makers, paint pens on tape, or even chalkboard labels all work well depending on your aesthetic preferences and the needs of the space. Labels serve multiple purposes beyond organization—they create accountability and make it nearly impossible for household members to claim ignorance about where things belong. They also reduce the mental load of remembering your organizational system, allowing your brain to focus on more important matters. When everything is clearly labeled, maintaining order becomes an effortless habit rather than a constant challenge, ensuring your organizational efforts stand the test of time.

Chapter 6: The Low-Bar Lifestyle: Small Victories for Lasting Change

The Low-Bar Lifestyle philosophy transforms organization from an overwhelming all-or-nothing pursuit into a series of manageable, achievable victories. This approach recognizes that perfection is the enemy of progress, especially when it comes to creating sustainable organizational habits that fit into your real life. Rachel, a working mother of three young children, approached Clea and Joanna feeling defeated after multiple failed attempts to organize her home. Previous organizational efforts had followed an ambitious but unsustainable pattern: she would dedicate an entire weekend to overhauling a space, create elaborate systems that looked beautiful but required significant maintenance, then watch helplessly as the systems collapsed under the realities of daily life with young children. By Monday evening, the beautifully organized spaces would return to chaos, leaving Rachel feeling like a failure. The team introduced Rachel to the Low-Bar Lifestyle approach, starting with a single kitchen drawer instead of the entire kitchen. They spent just thirty minutes editing its contents, then created a simple, intuitive system using basic dividers and straightforward labels. This small success gave Rachel the confidence to tackle another drawer the following weekend, then a cabinet, gradually building on each victory. Rather than implementing perfect systems, they created "good enough" solutions that prioritized functionality and sustainability over Instagram-worthy aesthetics. To implement the Low-Bar Lifestyle in your own organizing journey, start by identifying the smallest possible project that will make a noticeable difference in your daily life. This might be a single drawer, the area around your bathroom sink, or the entryway table where mail accumulates. Complete this project entirely before moving on, allowing yourself to enjoy the satisfaction of this small accomplishment. Set realistic expectations based on your actual lifestyle and time constraints. If you have young children, pets, or a demanding job, your organizational systems need to accommodate these realities rather than fight against them. Aim for progress, not perfection, celebrating improvements rather than holding yourself to impossible standards. Build incrementally on your successes, using the confidence and knowledge gained from smaller projects to inform larger ones. As you experience the benefits of even minimal organization—less time spent searching for items, reduced morning stress, a calmer visual environment—you'll naturally feel motivated to continue the process throughout your home. The beauty of the Low-Bar Lifestyle is that it transforms organization from a dreaded, overwhelming task into an accessible series of wins that build upon each other. By embracing imperfect progress and celebrating small victories, you create sustainable change that genuinely improves your daily life rather than adding another item to your to-do list.

Chapter 7: One In, One Out: Maintaining Your Organized Space

The "One In, One Out" principle is the key to preserving your newly organized spaces over time. This simple yet powerful rule prevents the gradual accumulation that leads to clutter, ensuring that your systems remain functional and your spaces stay breathable without requiring constant reorganization. Joanna and Clea worked with a client named Tiffani who had successfully organized her closet but found it gradually returning to its previously overstuffed state despite her best intentions. The beautifully edited wardrobe they had created together—with breathing room between hangers and clearly visible options—was slowly disappearing as new purchases entered without corresponding departures. Items were being crammed into every available space, making it increasingly difficult to see and access what she owned, essentially undermining the system they'd created. They introduced Tiffani to the "One In, One Out" rule: for every new clothing item purchased, one existing item needed to leave her closet. This wasn't about imposing artificial limitations but rather about maintaining the intentional balance they'd created. Tiffani initially resisted, worried she would miss opportunities to add pieces she loved. However, the team encouraged her to view it not as a restriction but as a curation process that would maintain the quality and functionality of her wardrobe. To implement this principle in your own spaces, start by understanding the capacity of each area. Your closet, pantry, toy room, and bathroom cabinets all have natural limits that, when exceeded, compromise functionality. Aim to keep spaces at about 80% capacity, leaving room for movement and visibility. This breathing room isn't wasted space—it's essential for a system that works. When bringing new items into your home, pause to consider what might leave to maintain this balance. This doesn't mean adopting a minimalist lifestyle or denying yourself things you love—it simply means being intentional about what earns space in your home. For seasonal items like holiday decorations or winter clothing, create a rotation system where off-season items are stored elsewhere, maintaining the functional capacity of your primary spaces. The "One In, One Out" rule helps break the cycle of constant reorganization by addressing the root cause of clutter—accumulation without corresponding elimination. Rather than organizing being a major event that happens once or twice a year, it becomes an ongoing, manageable process integrated into your purchasing habits. This sustainable approach ensures that your beautifully organized spaces continue to function as intended, preserving both their aesthetic appeal and the calm, efficient environment you've worked to create.

Summary

Throughout these pages, we've explored how transforming your spaces isn't about achieving organizational perfection but rather creating functional, beautiful systems that enhance your daily life. The journey from chaos to order doesn't require special talents or unlimited time—it simply requires a methodical approach and commitment to small, consistent actions. As Clea and Joanna so perfectly expressed, "If you're not able to maintain the systems put in place, then we didn't do our jobs effectively." This captures the essence of sustainable organization: systems that work for you, not against you. Your path to transformed spaces begins with a single drawer, shelf, or corner. Choose one small area that causes you daily frustration, apply the principles you've learned, and experience firsthand how organization can reduce stress and create calm. Remember that progress isn't measured by perfection but by improvement—each organized space represents a step toward a more intentional, peaceful home. The true transformation isn't just in your physical spaces but in how you move through your daily life with greater ease and purpose.

About Author

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Clea Shearer

Clea Shearer was born and raised in Los Angeles and just recently located to Nashville (what a move!) for her husband's job as an Entertainment and Music Photographer with Getty Images.Moving her family across the country (TO the country, she claims) has been a huge adjustment, but an incredible experience for her. In Nashville, the stars aligned and she met her business partner, Joanna! Together, they launched a home organization business called The Home Edit.If you aren't familiar with The Home Edit it's time to get yourself caught up because it will rock your drawers! Since launching their organization business The Home Edit, it has spread through Hollywood from Gwyneth Platrow's playroom to Katy Perry's closet. They teamed up with Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine to produce Master the Mess that gives you a peek into their Hollywood projects, It was so popular Netflix took notice and will be launching a spinoff. If you need a little (or alot!) of The Home Edit in your life, you can pickup their book: The Home Edit: A Guide To Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals that will inspire you in ways that you just might do it! It's super easy to incorporate their tips with their product line exclusively available from The Container Store. Although she once called LA home, she loves the food, energy and scenery of the city. Plus, the shopping at White's Mercantile is pretty great.Prior to starting The Home Edit, Clea attended the Parsons School of Design—okay, we totally know why she’s so talented! Her guilty pleasures include Harry Potter, The Real Housewives of “Anything” and trips to Target. Maybe next time she heads to Target we can tag along and she can spill all of her design secrets – fingers crossed!

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