What is Marie Kondo and how do you use the KonMari Method?
Have you heard of the KonMari method? It was created by Marie Kondo, a true expert in tidiness and organization. According to her, there are six golden rules for getting your home in order:
1. Commit to tidying up
Long-term order requires a shift in mindset—from quick fixes and panic-cleaning to a determined focus on achieving a home that brings you joy.
2. Imagine your ideal lifestyle
The KonMari Method isn’t really about decluttering or cleaning—it’s about creating a home you love and thrive in. If it helps, make a mood board for inspiration!
3. Start by discarding
Focus on the items that spark joy, and let go of things you’ve never used, items kept purely for sentimental reasons, and other unnecessary belongings.
4. Tidy by category, not by location
Although it may feel logical to clean one room or cabinet at a time, it’s far more effective to organize by category. So next time, go through all your clothes at once instead of jumping between rooms.
5. Follow the right order
There’s a proven sequence that makes decluttering more effective:
Clothes – easy to start with and incredibly motivating when your wardrobe becomes a source of daily joy.
Books – ask yourself whether your old textbooks or cookbooks still serve a purpose in your life.
Papers – keep what’s essential, but do a thorough sort and find a clear system for storing documents.
Miscellaneous items – every home is full of “stuff,” but if it doesn’t serve a purpose or bring joy, it’s time to let it go.
Sentimental items – since nearly everything in this category brings joy, try ranking them and decluttering based on that.
6. Keep only what sparks joy
It might sound obvious, but when you tidy with this principle in mind, you’ll quickly realize how many items in your home don’t bring happiness. That’s when it’s time to say goodbye.