If you’re into organization, you’ve likely seen Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin in action.
These Nashville pros transform celebrity closets into color-blocked masterpieces.
They turn family pantries into labeled havens. As founders of The Home Edit, they’ve mastered editing chaos into calm.
Their Netflix show Get Organized with The Home Edit has hooked millions. The best part?
Their methods work for anyone. No A-list budget required. It’s simple. Repeatable. Ready for your space.
Struggling with a kitchen drawer full of tangled utensils? Or a closet where clothes spill out?
You’re not alone. Busy commutes pile up clutter. Family life adds toys and papers.
Homes become storage traps. Clea and Joanna change that. Edit ruthlessly. Contain smartly. Label it all.
This guide breaks down their playbook. Meet the queens of order. Learn their core rules.
Follow easy steps to revamp any room. We’ve tailored it for South Africa. Hacks for Cape Town flats.
Jozi apartments. Durban homes. Use affordable finds from Pick n Pay. Checkers. Mr Price Home.
Ready to ditch the mess? Let’s make your space shine. Where do you start?
Ready to reclaim your calm? Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The backstory of these organizing queens.
- Why decluttering starts with mindset shifts.
- Hands-on guides for kitchens, bedrooms, and more.
- Must-have tools that won’t dent your wallet.
Let’s turn your home into a haven, one bin at a time.
Who Are Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin? The Duo Behind The Home Edit
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin didn’t set out to become household names.
Clea, a Nashville native with a knack for events, crossed paths with Joanna, a California transplant loving design details, back in 2011.
What started as coffee chats evolved into a bold venture. By 2015, they launched The Home Edit, vowing to ditch dull storage boxes for stylish systems that make tidying feel like art.
Fast forward, and their empire includes three best-selling books, a Netflix hit that snagged an Emmy nod, and even hosting gigs on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.
Clea recently shared her personal side in Cancer is Complicated, blending vulnerability with her signature poise.
Together, they’ve edited spaces for stars like Reese Witherspoon and Khloé Kardashian, proving organization isn’t chore, it’s joy.
Their secret? Treating every project like a friendship. They listen, laugh, and layer function with flair.
No wonder fans rave about the “Home Edit glow-up.” If you’ve binged their show, you know the thrill of watching a junk drawer become a jewel box.
How Did Two Friends Turn Chaos into a Netflix Sensation?
It began small. Clea handled parties; Joanna styled shoots. Frustrated by their own cluttered Nashville pad, they pooled skills.
The Home Edit hit big when a client referral snowballed into celeb work. Their 2020 Netflix debut?
Pure fire episodes unpack real homes, revealing how tiny tweaks spark big peace.
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin founded The Home Edit in 2015 to blend design with decluttering, now serving clients worldwide.
What Sparked Their Love for Aesthetic Home Setups?
Picture this: Joanna’s eye for patterns meets Clea’s people skills. Early jobs taught them clutter kills creativity.
“We edit so you don’t have to,” they say. Books like The Home Edit Life expand on editing wardrobes and workspaces, while Stay Organized dives into maintenance hacks.
For South Africans juggling load-shedding and family braais, their vibe resonates practical beauty in tight quarters.
Why You Should Edit Your Space
Clutter isn’t just stuff. It steals focus, amps stress, and hides what you love.
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin get it, they’ve seen pantries buried under expired tins and closets crammed with “someday” outfits.
Their fix? Edit ruthlessly, then design deliberately. This approach roots out mess at the source, creating flow that lasts.
Think of your home as a canvas. Overstuffing it? You block the view. Their philosophy flips that: Curate like a pro, so daily life hums smoother.
Families report less arguing over lost keys; parents reclaim evenings for storytime. It’s not magic—it’s method.
What’s the Root Cause of Household Clutter, and How to Spot It?
Blame it on life: Rushed shopping adds duplicates. Kids’ crafts overflow bins.
Work-from-home gear invades the lounge. Spot signs like overflowing counters or “I’ll sort later” piles.
Ask yourself: Does this spark joy, or just take space? Clea and Joanna urge starting here—awareness beats overwhelm.
Core Rules Like the 80/20 Principle for Clutter-Free Living
Here’s their gold: The 80/20 rule. Fill 80% of a drawer or shelf—keep 20% empty for new arrivals or easy grabs.
It prevents rebound mess. Pair it with “one in, one out.” Bought new shoes? Donate an old pair.
These tweaks build habits, turning sporadic cleans into seamless routines. In SA homes, where space squeezes tight, this maximizes every square meter.
Step-by-Step Decluttering Guide Inspired by Clea and Joanna
You don’t need hours or fancy gear. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin swear by a four-phase edit: Prep, purge, place, polish.
Tackle one zone weekly—say, your spice cupboard Monday. Gather boxes: Keep, Donate, Trash. Blast tunes; make it fun. Their mantra? Progress over perfection.
Phase one: Empty everything. Seeing the full scope shocks you into decisions.
Phase two: Sort categories—utensils here, linens there.
Phase three: Assign homes with labels for quick finds.
Phase four: Step back, admire, adjust.
Busy? Start micro: Five minutes on a junk drawer yields wins. Track with a checklist app. South African twist: Involve the family over tea—turn it into a game.
How Do You Start Organizing Without Feeling Overwhelmed?
Breathe. Clea and Joanna advise chatting goals first. Want a kid-proof play area? Visualize it.
Then, time-box: 20 minutes per spot. Label bins to cut search time by 50%. Done? Reward with biltong.
Essential Steps: Sort, Purge, and Place Like a Pro
- Empty and Assess. Pull it all out. Be honest—what’s used monthly?
- Purge Ruthlessly. If it hasn’t seen daylight in a year, goodbye. Donate to charity shops.
- Group and Contain. Like with like—socks in one bin, cables in another.
- Label for Sanity. Clear tags mean no digging. Use washi tape for flair.
Room-by-Room Organization Hacks from The Home Edit
Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin shine in specifics. Kitchens get rainbow rows; closets, uniform folds. Adapt their celeb edits to your reality think Joburg flat or Cape Town cottage. Focus on high-traffic spots first for max impact.
Kitchen and Pantry Storage Solutions for Everyday Meals
Your kitchen fuels the day, yet it devours time. Ditch bulky packaging; transfer oats to clear jars. Line up tins by use—breakfast left, baking right.
| Tool | Best For | SA Cost Tip |
| Acrylic bins | Dry goods | R50 at Game—stackable for small counters |
| Lazy Susan | Spices | R100 from Makro—spins to beat blind reaches |
| Drawer dividers | Utensils | R30 DIY with cardboard—custom fit |
Embrace vertical: Wall racks for pots free floor space. Example: A Cape Town mom edited her pantry, slashing meal prep by 15 minutes.
Bedroom and Closet Arrangement Ideas for Peaceful Rest
Clutter here disrupts sleep. Fold tees into files—stand them upright for easy scans. Color-code by season: Summer whites, winter knits.
Hang accessories on over-door hooks. Purge 20% yearly. Zero-click tip: Label bins to cut search time by 50%. Result? Mornings flow, evenings unwind.
Living Spaces and Kid Zones: Fun, Functional Family Areas
Lounge piles with remotes and toys? Zone it: Coffee table tray for essentials. For kids, low bins invite self-cleanup—label with pics.
From their book The Rainbow Cleanup, try color sorts: Red toys here, blue there. In SA heat, add breathable baskets from markets.
Tools and Products: What Clea and Joanna Swear By
No need for luxury labels. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin favor basics elevated clear bins reveal contents, labels guide hands.
Stock up on dividers (R20 at PEP), fabric totes for linens.
Digital? Apps like Sortly track inventory. Pro pick: Their book for visuals. Start small: One R100 bin transforms a shelf.
Essential Organizing Gear Without Breaking the Bank
- Bins and Baskets: See-through for quick spots.
- Labels: Vinyl or printable—customize for family names.
- Dividers: Drawer inserts tame tangles.
Which tool would you try first? Share in comments.
Conclusion: Make Organization a Habit
You’ve got the blueprint from Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin—edit boldly, live lightly. Start with one drawer today. Your home? It deserves this upgrade. Clutter fades; calm stays.
Questions? Drop them below. What’s your first edit?
FAQs
Who are Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, and why should I follow their tips?
Best friends and The Home Edit founders, they’ve organized for stars via Netflix. Their methods cut stress—perfect for busy SA lives.
How does the 80/20 rule work in small apartments?
Use 80% of shelves, leave 20% free. It fits tight spots, preventing overflow in Jozi flats.
What books by Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin are best for beginners?
Grab The Home Edit for visuals or Stay Organized for daily hacks.
Can these hacks work with kids around?
Yes—label with drawings, cleanup as play. Their kids’ book adds fun twists.
Where to buy affordable Home Edit-style tools in South Africa?
Try Mr Price Home for bins, Dis-Chem for labels—under R200 total.
How often should I re-edit my space?
Quarterly checks keep it fresh. Spot-check weekly.
Is The Home Edit Netflix show still worth watching in 2025?
Absolutely, timeless tips, plus their new Extreme Makeover role inspires.
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