Marie Kondo Method: how to declutter your home step by step
The Marie Kondo method, known as the KonMari method, is an organizational system based on tidying belongings by category and keeping only what you truly want to hold onto. Its approach focuses on making conscious decisions about what we own and assigning a place for every object.
More than just a way to clean, it is a method for tidying and organizing household belongings. And it can be adapted to every home, without the need to follow all its guidelines rigidly.
What does the Marie Kondo method consist of?
The central idea is to tidy by category, not room by room. You review your belongings, decide what to keep, and then organize what remains.
One of its best-known ideas is to ask yourself if an object brings you joy or if you want to keep having it. The final decision rests with each person: it is not simply about throwing things away, but about choosing consciously what to keep.
The 5 categories of the KonMari method
- Clothing: gather your garments so you can see what you have and decide which ones you want to keep.
- Books: review your books as an independent category and keep those you truly want to maintain.
- Papers: separate documents you need to keep from those that are no longer necessary, always respecting legal or administrative obligations.
- Komono: group the rest of your items, from household tools and products to accessories and small objects.
- Sentimental items: leave this category for last, when it becomes easier to decide which memories you want to hold onto.
Why start with clothing?
Clothing is usually a practical category to begin with because it allows you to practice the process of deciding what to keep before reaching sentimental items. Gather items of the same category and review one by one those you are unsure about keeping.
Once selected, organize your clothes so that you can see them and access them easily. You can also consult our guide on capsule wardrobes and garment care.
How to fold clothes the Marie Kondo way
One of the best-known recommendations of the method is to fold many garments into small, vertical packages instead of stacking them horizontally. This makes it easier to visualize the clothes stored in a drawer.
Not all garments should be folded in the same way: shirts, jackets, delicate items, or fabrics that need to be hung must follow appropriate care and storage instructions.
Boxes and organizers: use them after deciding
Storage comes after selecting what you want to keep. Small boxes can be used to group objects inside drawers and closets, always avoiding the accumulation of unnecessary containers.
The idea is for every item to have a defined place and for it to be simple to return it to that place after using it.
How to apply the Marie Kondo method at home
- Set aside time: tidying an entire category requires focus.
- Gather the items in the category: avoid starting with a single drawer if you want a global overview.
- Decide what to keep: think about the use, value, and desire to continue owning each object.
- Separate what is leaving the house: donate, recycle, or discard as appropriate.
- Organize what you keep: assign a specific place to each group of objects.
- Maintain order: returning every item to its place makes it easier to keep organized.
Marie Kondo and a home with children
In a family home, the goal doesn't have to be keeping every room perfectly tidy. It is more practical to involve household members in the organization and establish simple places for each person's belongings.
With children, it can be useful to turn selection and tidying into an age-appropriate activity, letting them participate in decisions about their own objects.
Marie Kondo and clothing: tidying is also caring
An organized closet makes it easier to see what clothes you have and can help you use them better before buying others. But tidying does not replace garment care: washing, drying, and storage still depend on the fabric and the instructions for each garment.
If you want to extend the life of your clothes, check out our laundry collection and our tips on washing and garment care.
Frequent mistakes when applying the method
- Starting room by room: the method is structured by categories.
- Buying organizers too soon: first decide what you want to keep.
- Storing things without reviewing: tidying is not just about moving objects from one place to another.
- Deciding for someone else: each household member should participate in decisions about their own belongings.
- Seeking perfection: the system must adapt to the real needs of each home.
Frequently asked questions about the Marie Kondo method
What is the Marie Kondo method?
It is an organizational system known as the KonMari method that proposes tidying by categories and deciding which belongings to keep.
What are the five categories of Marie Kondo?
Clothing, books, papers, komono, and sentimental items.
What does "does it spark joy" mean?
It is a question used in the method to assess if you want to keep an object. It does not mean that every necessary object must produce an intense emotion.
Does Marie Kondo recommend throwing away everything that doesn't bring joy?
No. The decision depends on each person, and there are necessary objects kept for their utility, even if they do not produce a special emotion.
Does the Marie Kondo method work for organizing a closet?
Yes. Clothing is the first category of the method and can be a good starting point for reviewing and organizing a closet.
In summary
The Marie Kondo method proposes tidying by categories, deciding what to keep, and giving each item a specific place. Applied with flexibility, it can help you better organize your clothes, books, papers, and the rest of your home's belongings.
