Simple, Stylish, and Savored: DIY Home Editing Tips for a Total Refresh

Home Organizing, The Uncommon Way!

“Be a ruthless editor of what you allow into your home. Ask yourselves, ‘what does this object mean to me?’”

- Nate Berkus

. . .

We could not have said it better ourselves!

This month, let’s create some intentional space in your home! If you’re anything like us, you know that a clean home frees up space in our minds, schedule, and life! Win-win-win!

So read on for simple ways you can edit the items in your home, donate them to a good cause, and organize the things you’re most excited to keep!

. . .

Clear Out Your Closet … Without the Overwhelm

Simple steps to attain the style you actually want

First things first: Remember that editing your home is a process. 

You’re going to come across things that hold some sort of meaning, memory, or function. Deciding what to do with all of those goodies is not always cut and dry. So be patient with yourself and with your stuff!

With clothing, it’s easy to forget how long it’s been since you’ve actually worn something. So here’s a little trick for your closet! 

• When you first hang your clothing, turn the hangers so that the curved head is facing away from you. 

• As you go through your days, you’ll pull your pieces and rock your ‘fits. 

• After you wash and return your clothes to your closet, turn the hanger head so that the curved part now faces you. 

• Wash, rinse, repeat. Literally :) 

• Then set a check-in for yourself in about six months. See which hangers are not yet turned, and you’ll have a much better sense of what you can donate!

If you’re on the fence about something, just place it at the far end of your closet for the time being. Revisit it in a few months, after having it out of sight and mind, and decide if you want to keep or donate it.

. . .

5 Essential Questions That Reveal What Matters to You

The Key to Your DIY Home Editing Tips!

If you want a true expert, there’s a little lady named Marie Kondo … not sure if you’ve heard of her :) Her technique of asking “does this spark joy?” has really taken off. We have a few other questions that we think you’ll find helpful:

• Do I have another item that is similar to this one, and do I find value in having more than one?

• What occasion am I hanging on to this for, and how likely is it that it will happen?

• Do I actually even like this thing?! 

  • *This may seem like an obvious one, but it is easy to get swept up in what we are supposed to have, wear, and use. So do an honest check-in.

• Or, is this who I want to be? Does this item actually fit into the life that I want to live?

At the end of the day, becoming clear on why you’re editing certain things will truly make your home - and your life! - yours.

. . .

Donate with Intention: The Thrift Stores Will LOVE You

Give your stuff a better home … and a whole new life!

You’ve edited thoughtfully, and you’ve gathered your first batch of items to donate … because you are a freaking rockstar!

So now it’s donation time! Keep these things in mind:

• Donation centers are coming off of a very busy year. Each center is requesting different types of donations based on their inventory, so be sure to check the list of items they are currently accepting before packing your car and hauling it off.

• Some stores also have general restrictions on the items you can bring in, and they can change from time to time. Goodwill, for instance, may have restrictions on TVs, large appliances, upholstered furniture, and other items. So check your local donation spot ahead of time!

• Goodwill is using large bins in their donation line, and they are asking donors to put their goods directly into the bins in order to limit contact. Be sure to pack like items with like items - pack clothes together, pack hard goods together, and home decor soft goods together. Do not mix bags!

• Always remember to donate something in the condition that you would want to buy it. It can cost organizations a lot of money to sift through and dispose of items that cannot be sold or reused. So do your part to make sure you are helping the cause on every level!

Plus, snag a few bonus resources like:

• Where to support local donation centers, like Hands of Friendship! It’s highlighted in our Uncommon Valentine’s Day Tablescape post!

• While you’re out and about dropping off your donations, make the most of your thrift store visit. Snag your free copy of the Thrifted Tablescape Formula before your next dinner party! 

• And psst … we’ve got thrifting secrets perfect for party hosts! Get the ultimate guide to gathering your favorite people at home - snag your seat in Host + Gather!

Organizing 101: Top Tips for Staying Tidy

So fresh, so clean … SO ready to host

Let’s organize the goodies you decided to keep and give each one an intentional place. 

Here are a few simple things you can try in order to make your everyday life a little easier:

• If - in normal times :) - you are traveling quite a bit, keep any of your travel toiletries and other travel items (neck pillow, portable charger, etc.) inside your suitcase. Your suitcase is already taking up a decent amount of room, so just keep everything travel-related in one place for when you need it. You will have to pack and unpack less stuff when travel rolls around, giving you the gift of more time.

• Unless you’re keeping your everyday toiletries directly on the counter at all times, chances are, you are moving them around each morning and night. Group them based on how you work through your routine, and put them in baskets or bins to move around easily.

• Check out these baskets and all of our basket rentals here!

• (Image)

• If you like to select your outfits the night before, try using a hook or rack in your closet so you can keep them separate from the rest of your clothing.

• If you want a plethora of other tips and ideas, The Home Edit is a great place to start. These two ladies have blog posts, services, products, and loads of inspiration!

• The Container Store is always a go-to for anything and everything related to organizing!

• Check out the deep dive we did a few years ago on staying organized with physical items and your digital tools - Let's Get Organized!

• Or get a few home organization essentials like lidded jars, toolboxes, and a wall organizer from The Uncommon Shop!

There are countless ways to stay organized, and the most important part is to find something that works for you!

. . .

Your Uncommon Encouragement: Home Editing Edition

The Bonus By-Product of an Intentional Home

In the end, your top DIY home editing tips come down to having clear intentions about what you purchase, keep, donate, and organize! 

Bonus?! The more you edit your space thoughtfully, the more comfortable you’ll be saying no to people, places, and things that don’t serve you, either. It’ll all make more space for the things that truly matter to you.

So friends, what have we missed? What are some of your favorite tips and tricks for keeping your home a true reflection of you? We’d love to hear about it!

Edit your little hearts out!

-The Uncommon Team