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Although spring cleaning may look a little different this year thanks to the pandemic (we have been staring at our floors for an entire year), it doesn't have to be difficult. Small changes—like the addition of carefully positioned turntables in your pantry—can truly make all the difference when used correctly. If you're wondering how to craft your pantry into something that organizational experts like the team at The Home Edit would create, you're in luck. We spoke to the stars of Netflix's Get Organized with The Home Edit, Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, about what items you need to whip your home into tip-top organized shape.
Whether you decide to use their exact product picks or something similar, here are the duo's 12 essential items to organize your home.
1. The paper towels that make it easy to scrub
Credit: Viva Towels
A deep clean is necessary to get truly organized.
When thinking about spring cleaning, the first thing that comes to mind is actually cleaning your space and The Home Edit agrees that's where to start. This doesn't just mean physical products being removed, but getting down to the nitty-gritty and cleaning down your surfaces.
"I think people really forget the cleaning part in spring cleaning," Shearer said. "The cleaning element is so critical especially in our clothing museum—known as our closet—that we haven't used in a year that has a lot of dust bunnies it in at this very moment."
Shearer suggests using the Viva Signature Cloth, as they're excellent at actually getting a deep clean throughout your space.
Get the Viva Multi-Surface Cloth Paper Towels at Staples for $14.99
2. Drawer inserts for less clutter
Credit: The Container Store
Say goodbye to messy drawers.
The one thing that can truly transform any drawer is the addition of a handy drawer insert. "I think a lot of people have gotten on board with the concept of a silverware tray or utensil holder, but then all the other drawers are the wild, wild West," Shearer said. Depending on the space you plan to organize, you'll need different drawer inserts—for example, a bathroom and a closet wouldn't use the same one. Some personal favorites of The Home Edit? There's a bamboo one from The Container Store that Shearer says looks great in any drawer, but especially wooden ones. But a space like a bathroom could use smaller bins instead of drawer inserts.
The best thing about inserts? They can be used by everyone and have a massive impact on the space. "People like to say, 'Oh, my husband, my partner, my roommate, they're not going to be able to put things away,' and I'm like, 'Can they put the spoon in the right spot?' Because if they can do that then they can put everything else in the right spot," Shearer said.
Get The Home Edit by iDesign Clear Bin Dividers from The Container Store starting at $3.99
3. Turntables for easy access to things
Credit: The Container Store
Just spin it around to see everything on it.
With their multi-purpose functions, turntables are a highly recommended organizational tool from The Home Edit. They allow easy access to everything on them because they turn, and work in every space—from a bathroom to a pantry. "Turntables are an excellent space-saving way to store everything, but also not have to dig for items underneath the sink or at the back of the shelf because if you spin it, you have access to everything," Shearer said.
As for their favorite one? Shearer and Teplin call it a "marital dispute" when deciding between the double-decker or divided turntable. But both are great choices, depending on how much stuff you plan on putting on it.
Get the The Home Edit by iDesign 2-Tier Lazy Susan at The Container Store for $26.99
Get The Home Edit by iDesign Divided Lazy Susan at The Container Store for $29.99
4. An over-the-door unit for more space
Credit: The Container Store
Maximize all the space you have.
Looking to maximize your space? Try an over-the-door unit. "You get so much additional storage added to your space because you can work vertically in the room and not just put furniture all over the floor," Teplin said. This Elfa one comes highly recommended by The Home Edit and, according to Shearer, is a pretty low-cost way to increase storage where storage didn't exist before. For example, if you have a small closet, you can put it on the back of a door for immediately more storage space.
Get the Elfa Utility White Mesh Pantry Over the Door Rack from The Container Store for $184
5. A rolling cart that can be used in any room
Credit: The Container Store
Easily move items from room to room.
Aside from its ability to hold practically anything—from craft supplies to cleaning products to toiletries—a rolling cart can be moved from room to room with whatever items you need. Because of this, Shearer says it can be used in any space. She recommends this clear one for a quick storage-in-a-snap solution that looks aesthetically pleasing and can be cleaned easily.
Get The Home Edit by iDesign Clear Rolling Cart from The Container Store for $119.99
6. Clear shoeboxes for aesthetic organization
Credit: The Home Edit
Boot boxes can double as holiday decor storage.
The Home Edit says shoeboxes are a great multi-functional storage solution. "They're super durable, very lightweight, and inexpensive for such an amazing opportunity for all over your home," Teplin said. The different sizes, she explains, can be used as an inexpensive solution to stack and store kids' toys, making them useful beyond sneaker storage. Teplin says that while they do use the smaller ones for shoes, they use the larger bins for holiday decor and kids' art supplies.
Get the Our Shoe Box from The Container Store for $2.99
Get the Our Boot Box from The Container Store for $14.99
7. A set of matching hangers
Credit: The Container Store
Nothing will make you feel more adult.
Turn your closet into an organized oasis with a set of beautiful matching hangers. "Something we always recommend, if it's in the budget, is getting consistent hangers in a closet," Shearer said. "There's something very adult about having them and it feels really good. We believe that if you make something really beautiful and organized, you are more likely to keep it and maintain it since you'll be proud of your space."
While it'll make your clothing easy to find, it'll also encourage you to actually want to keep your closet neat. Particularly, The Home Edit girls suggest using slim velvet hangers as they hold more in a small space and look nice and cohesive with one color and size. Plus, they'll help with your closet spring cleanout, as well.
"A pro of switching out hangers is that it forces you to make a decision of whether or not you're going to put the item onto a new hanger or let it go, so it helps with the editing process," Shearer said.
Get the Black Premium Non-Slip Velvet Hangers, 10 Count from The Container Store for $6.99
8. A docking station to organize your WFH space
Credit: The Container Store
Your devices will thank you.
Although unbelievably underrated, a docking station can have a massive impact on organizing your workspace. "We love a docking station—anything that you can use to organize your tech supplies—especially now that we're all working from home and going to school from home since there are a lot of devices around," Shearer said.
Plus, it'll get rid of all of those loose wires from cluttering your desk. Shearer says they prefer an acrylic five-space divider typically meant for envelopes and letters that are great for stand-up laptops or iPads, and you use a five-port charging station with it to plug everything in. Working from an organized desk also may encourage you to be more productive.
Get the 5-Section Premium Acrylic Collator from The Container Store for $34.99
9. An oversized basket for extra items
Credit: The Container Store// The Home Edit
Make sure you keep those shelves free of backstock.
An oversized basket has many functions like extra storage, organization, and the like, but The Home Edit has one extraordinary function for it. "I place an oversized basket on the floor somewhere—whether it's in a closet or on the pantry floor—to use it as backstock," Teplin said. Backstock is a term for the extra supplies, materials, or food that you have in your pantry or closet. After buying something, the large basket proves an extra place for those items than trying to cram them into overcrowded shelves.
Get the White Montauk Rectangular Basket from The Container Store for $49.99
10. Canisters to display all your dry goods
Credit: The Container Store
Keep ingredients, snacks, and more in these airtight canisters.
If you've seen any pantry on The Home Edit's Instagram, then you know it's filled with canisters. Aside from their ability to hold practically everything—like sugar, flour, and cereal—in an airtight container, it'll turn your pantry into something Shearer and Teplin would do.
"I think it feels so adult to have a few, if not many items, decanted into a canister," Teplin said."They just look beautiful and stay beautiful at the same time."
Get The Home Edit by iDesign Pantry Canisters from The Container Store starting at $9.99
11. Matching spice jars
Credit: The Home Edit
No more wasting time looking for spices.
Nothing, Shearer says, will make you feel more like a grown-up than matching spice jars. While looking stunning in your pantry or drawer, they also make it easy to find the specific spice you're looking for. She prefers to use larger jars, so she can store a large quantity of the spices she uses most. Best of all, it'll be nice to finally have them lined up for easy access when you're cooking or baking.
Pro-tip: Spring cleaning is a great time to see how fresh your spices are. "Spices are very often expired so it's a great time to look through your items and take stock of that," Shearer said.
Get the 6 oz. Glass Spice Bottle from The Container Store for $2.39
12. A three-tiered shelf
Credit: The Home Edit
Keep track of your canned goods has never been easier.
Another pantry staple that is common expired? Canned goods. A great option for storing them (and remembering to use them), is a three-tiered shelf, according to Shearer. While making your pantry look more sophisticated, these shelves also make it easy to check and maintain in your pantry. "Anything that you can do during spring cleaning time to go through, refresh, look at your items, take stock of what you have, check expiration dates, and get rid of any cleaning supplies will create stations and zones and will [make you] feel really motivated going forward," she said.
Get the Large Expand-A-Shelf from The Container Store for $11.99
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