What is the KonMari Method?

The Marie Kondo way, also known as the KonMari Method, is a popular decluttering and organization approach created by Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo. It focuses on tidying up by category rather than location and emphasizes keeping only items that "spark joy." Here’s an overview of her method:

Key Principles of the KonMari Method

1. Tidy All at Once Instead of decluttering room by room, tackle everything in one go. This "tidying festival" creates a sense of accomplishment and lasting change.

2. Visualize Your Ideal Lifestyle Before starting, imagine how you want your home and life to look and feel. This helps you focus and stay motivated throughout the process.

3. Declutter by Category, Not Location Marie Kondo recommends tidying by category to avoid moving clutter from one space to another. The categories are:

• Clothing

• Books

• Papers

• Komono (miscellaneous items)

• Sentimental Items

4. Follow the Right Order The sequence of categories matters. Start with the easiest (clothing) and work your way up to the most challenging (sentimental items). This builds decision-making confidence.

5. Does It Spark Joy? For every item, hold it in your hands and ask yourself, "Does this spark joy?" If the answer is no, thank the item for its service and let it go. This emotional connection helps you decide what truly belongs in your life.

6. Respect Your Belongings Marie Kondo emphasizes treating your possessions with respect, believing this creates a positive atmosphere in your home. For example:

• Fold Clothes neatly and store them upright.

• Organize items so they are visible and easily accessible.

7. Find a Home for Everything Once you’ve decluttered, assign a specific place for every item. This helps maintain order and prevents clutter from returning.

Additional Tips from the KonMari Method

• Sentimental Items Last: By the time you reach this category, you’ll have a better sense of what brings joy, making it easier to let go of emotional items.

• Discard Before Organizing: Declutter first, then focus on storing the items you love in a tidy way.

• Storage Is Key: Use boxes or dividers to create organized spaces, and avoid piling items.

Why It Works

The KonMari Method is transformative because it goes beyond decluttering. It’s about creating a home filled only with things that bring you happiness and support your ideal life. It also helps to shift your mindset, making you more intentional about future purchases and possessions.

Starting the KonMari Method

Here’s a step-by-step guide to applying the Marie Kondo (KonMari) Method to each area of your home. The process is based on tidying by category rather than by location, which ensures that you tackle all items of a specific type at once. This makes it easier to decide what sparks joy and prevents you from redistributing clutter.

Step 1: Clothing: Start with clothing because it’s the easiest category and helps you build decision-making confidence.

1. Gather All Clothing

o Collect every piece of clothing from your house, including closets, drawers, seasonal storage, and laundry.

o Pile everything in one place, such as your bed or living room floor.

2. Sort Clothing by Subcategory

o Tops (shirts, blouses)

o Bottoms (pants, skirts)

o Outerwear (jackets, coats)

o Undergarments

o Accessories (belts, scarves)

o Shoes

3. Handle Each Item and Ask, "Does It Spark Joy?"

o If yes, keep it.

o If no, thank the item for its service and let it go.

4. Organize Joyful Items

o Fold clothes neatly (Marie Kondo recommends vertical folding so items stand upright).

o Store similar items together in accessible drawers or closets.

Step 2: Books: Books are next because they hold sentimental value but are easier to declutter than personal mementos.

1. Gather All Books

o Collect books from shelves, tables, bedrooms, and other areas.

2. Sort by Subcategory

o General books (fiction, non-fiction)

o Reference books

o Cookbooks

o Magazines

3. Ask, "Does This Book Spark Joy?"

o Hold each book and assess its importance in your life. If it no longer serves a purpose, thank it and donate it.

4. Organize Joyful Books

o Arrange books in a way that’s visually pleasing and easy to access (e.g., by genre, size, or color).

Step 3: Papers: Papers include documents, bills, and sentimental cards. Marie Kondo is strict about paper clutter, suggesting discarding most of it.

1. Gather All Papers

o Pull together all paperwork, including piles on desks, drawers, and storage boxes.

2. Sort into Categories

o To Keep: Vital documents (contracts, warranties, tax records).

o To Discard: Old bills, receipts, manuals, and unnecessary paperwork.

3. Ask, "Is It Necessary?"

o Only keep what you truly need or what sparks joy (e.g., letters or cards).

4. Organize Remaining Papers

o File essential documents into labeled folders for easy access.

Step 4: Komono (Miscellaneous Items): This broad category includes kitchenware, bathroom items, decor, electronics, and more.

1. Gather Items by Subcategory

o Kitchen utensils and tools

o Bathroom toiletries

o Electronics and cords

o Hobby supplies

o Seasonal decorations

2. Ask, "Does It Spark Joy?"

o Keep items that bring joy or are regularly useful. Let go of duplicates, broken items, or things you rarely use.

3. Organize by Subcategory

o Store similar items together in dedicated spaces. Use organizers or bins for smaller items.

Step 5: Sentimental Items: This is the most challenging category, so leave it for last.

1. Gather All Sentimental Items

o Include photos, letters, souvenirs, heirlooms, and gifts.

2. Handle Each Item Thoughtfully

o Reflect on its meaning. If it sparks joy, keep it. If not, thank it for its role in your life and let it go.

3. Organize Sentimental Items

o Display cherished items or store them in a way that protects their value (e.g., albums or keepsake boxes).

General Tips for Each Area

• Set Aside Time: Dedicate a specific time for each category to maintain focus.

• Involve the Family: If you’re tidying shared spaces, involve family members in decision-making.

• Limit Storage Purchases: Don’t buy new storage solutions until you’ve decluttered and know what you’re keeping.

• Celebrate Progress: Acknowledge the transformation in your home after completing each category.

*Send us a message if you start using the KonMari Method, we would love to hear how it's going. We offer a Decluttering & Cleaning Planner with lots of tools that will help you get organized and stay that way.

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