Worthy Convos: Whitney Tevis of The Organized Nest Talks Bins, Turntables, and Getting Organized

If you have opened your pantry or closet recently and immediately shut the door because you can’t handle the chaos inside, you’re not alone. And if you have ever thought that the only thing holding you back from accomplishing everything you want in life is your cluttered household, there’s hope. Whitney Tevis, co-owner of The Organized Nest, has made organization her life’s work. And with a few simple tricks from the professional herself, your home will start to look like the inside of The Container Store, allowing you to finally tackle those goals.

Getting organized can feel very overwhelming. How do you know where to start? 

We always encourage our clients to start with a small space. Organizing feels more attainable once you’ve mastered a few spaces. A junk drawer, a coat closet, a linen closet…something like that where you can start and finish it all pretty quickly.

What is the smallest organization hack with the biggest impact? 

Changing out hangers so that they match! It takes zero skill, but makes a closet look instantly put together. Our favorites are the velvet hangers from The Container Store.

Photo courtesy of Whitney Tevis (left)

Is there a room or space that most people overlook? 

I think a laundry room gets overlooked pretty frequently. It’s a major player when it comes to daily use, especially for households with children. We love creating a system where the utility room is functional, not just a dumping ground!

What are three products you can’t live without/recommend to all your clients?

Clear bins (we love the LINUS bins from The Container Store), drawer inserts (another Container Store favorite – called the Everything Drawer organizer) and turntables. These three items can be used in a variety of spaces, and we pretty much use them on every project.

What is your advice for maintaining order year-round? 

Set up set times each month to just go through mail, kids’ artwork/paperwork, the pantry and the refrigerator. It’s crazy how quickly little things add up (looking at you, ketchup packets from the drive-thru!) If you can go through these spaces once or twice a month, it’s easy to maintain order. Little changes make a big impact.

When decluttering a home, how do you navigate a situation in which a client is sentimentally attached to many items?

You know, we really try to be sensitive to our clients. Being sentimental about a few things isn’t bad, but it definitely creates a more challenging project when it’s too many items. We talk through the why’s and gently encourage culling through all while helping them see the benefits of less clutter. We always say physical clutter leads to mental clutter! It’s amazing to see the transformation of not only the space, but the client’s outlook after everything is in order.

What does a typical consultation look like? 

We start by visiting the client’s home or office and getting a feel for what they hope to accomplish. Expectations are everything in this industry, and we like to be up front about what the process will be like. We take pictures of the space(s) and then come back with an estimate for what the overall projected time will be. We have a wonderful, all-women team that truly loves what they do! We have fun together, and I know the clients enjoy working with us. Communication is key, and we strive to be as transparent as possible. After over 10 years in this business, we have seen it all! It’s a joy to work in this community, and we are honored to have so many who trust us and allow us into their homes and businesses.

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5, and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her husband, talking about her cat.