Declutter Your Home and Spark Joy with the KonMari Method

Transform your home with KonMari

Have you ever walked into your home after a long day at work, only to feel overwhelmed by the clutter and disorganization surrounding you? It’s a common feeling that a lot of us experience, and it can leave us feeling stressed and anxious. But what if there was a simple, effective way to declutter your home that would bring peace and joy to your space?

Enter the KonMari Method. Developed by organizing expert Marie Kondo, the KonMari Method is a unique approach to decluttering and organizing your home. It’s based on the idea that we should surround ourselves only with items that bring us joy and let go of everything else. Following this simple principle, the KonMari Method can help you transform your home into a peaceful and joyful sanctuary.

But the KonMari Method is more than just a set of rules. It’s a way of life that encourages us to appreciate and value what matters most. It’s about creating a space that reflects our values and brings us joy. And it’s about learning to let go of the things that no longer serve us, whether it’s a worn-out piece of clothing or a negative thought pattern.

In this article, we’ll explore the KonMari Method in detail and show you how to use it to declutter and organize your home. We’ll guide you through each step of the process, from creating a vision for your space to tidying up and maintaining it. Whether you’re looking to declutter your entire home or just a few specific areas, the KonMari Method can help you achieve your goals and bring more joy and peace to your life.

KonMari method of tidying up

Declutter your Home using the KonMari Method

Step 1 | Start with a vision

Starting with a vision is a critical step in the KonMari Method. Before you begin decluttering, it’s important to take some time to think about the kind of home you want to create. What does your ideal space look like? How does it feel? What values do you want your home to reflect?

Creating a vision for your space helps you stay focused on your goals and motivates you throughout decluttering. It also lets you decide what to keep and let go of. By having a clear idea of the space you want to create, you can determine whether an item fits your vision and brings you joy.

To create a vision for your space, ask yourself some questions. What kind of atmosphere do you want to create in your home? Do you want it to be cozy and inviting or bright and airy? What colours and textures do you want to incorporate? What kinds of activities do you enjoy in your home, and what type of space do you need to support those activities?

You may also want to create a vision board or Pinterest board to help you visualize your ideal space. This can be a fun and creative way to explore different design ideas and develop a sense of excitement and anticipation about your decluttering journey.

Remember, your vision for your space is unique to you. It’s not about creating a home that looks like something from a magazine or impressing others with your design skills. It’s about creating a space that reflects your personality, values, and interests and brings joy and peace.

Starting with a vision may seem like a small step, but it can make a huge difference in the success of your decluttering journey. By creating a clear and inspiring vision for your space, you’ll be better equipped to decide what to keep, let go of, and make a home that truly sparks joy.

Start with a vision before tidying up

Step 2 | Tackle categories, not rooms

When most people think about decluttering, they focus on one room at a time. They may start with the bedroom, move on to the living room, etc. However, in the KonMari Method, Marie Kondo suggests tackling categories of items rather than rooms.

This is because items are often scattered throughout the home rather than contained in one room. For example, you may have books in your living room, bedroom, and home office. By decluttering by category, you can gather all of your books in one place, making it easier to see how many you have and decide which ones to keep.

The KonMari Method recommends decluttering items in the following order:

  1. Clothes
  2. Books
  3. Papers
  4. Komono (miscellaneous items)
  5. Sentimental items

By starting with clothes, which tend to be less emotionally charged than sentimental items, you can build your decluttering skills and confidence before moving on to more challenging categories.

When decluttering by category, it’s important to gather all items in that category in one place. For example, when decluttering clothes, remove all your clothes from the closet, dresser, and any other storage areas, and lay them out on your bed or floor. This allows you to see the full extent of your wardrobe and make more informed decisions about what to keep.

By tackling categories rather than rooms, you can also avoid the trap of moving items from one room to another without truly decluttering. It’s easy to fall into the habit of simply relocating clutter rather than letting go of it. By decluttering by category, you can ensure that you’re making deliberate decisions about each item and letting go of anything that no longer serves you.

Tackle categories, not rooms

Step 3| Hold each item and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?”

One of the core principles of the KonMari Method is to hold each item in your hands and ask yourself, “Does this spark joy?” This simple question is a powerful tool for deciding what to keep and what to let go of.

When holding an item, paying attention to your physical and emotional response is important. Does the item make you feel happy and energized, or does it bring up negative emotions like guilt or sadness? If an item sparks joy, you’ll likely feel a sense of excitement and pleasure when you hold it. If it doesn’t spark joy, you may feel neutral or even a sense of discomfort or dread.

It’s important to note that the goal of the KonMari Method is not to get rid of as much as possible or to create a minimalist space. Instead, it’s about surrounding yourself with items that bring you joy and serve a purpose in your life.

When asking yourself if an item sparks joy, it’s also important to consider its function. For example, a pair of shoes may not spark joy in and of itself, but if it’s comfortable and necessary for your daily life, it may bring you joy in that way.

If an item doesn’t spark joy, it’s time to let it go. This can be difficult, especially for items that have sentimental value or that you’ve held onto for a long time. However, Marie Kondo suggests thanking the item for its service before letting it go. This can help shift your mindset from one of loss and regret to one of gratitude and appreciation.

By holding each item and asking yourself if it sparks joy, you can develop a deeper awareness of what you truly value and what brings you happiness. This can help you create a space that feels more aligned with your personality and interests and that supports your goals and aspirations.

Hold each item and ask yourself, "Does this spark joy?"

Step 4 | Create a designated place for everything you keep

Once you’ve gone through the process of decluttering and determining which items spark joy, the next step in the KonMari Method is to create a designated place for everything you keep. This means finding a specific spot in your home for each item to live.

The goal of creating a designated place for everything is to make it easy to find and put away items, which can reduce clutter and make your home feel more organized. When everything has a specific spot, it also makes it easier to see what you have and what you may need to let go of in the future.

When creating designated places for your items, it’s important to keep in mind the principle of visibility. Marie Kondo recommends storing items where you can see them rather than hiding them away in drawers or closets. This not only makes it easier to find what you’re looking for, but it also makes it easier to appreciate and enjoy the items you own.

For example, if you have a collection of vintage postcards that spark joy, consider displaying them on a bulletin board or in a shadowbox. If you have a favourite pair of earrings that you wear often, store them in a small dish on your dresser where you can easily see them.

Creating designated places for your items also means being intentional about how you store them. Marie Kondo recommends storing items vertically rather than horizontally whenever possible. This saves space and makes it easier to see what you have and access it quickly.

For example, rather than stacking your clothes in a drawer, try folding them vertically and storing them in a drawer organizer. This makes it easier to see all your clothes at once and access the ones you want to wear without digging through a messy pile.

Create a designated place for everything you keep

Step 5 | Maintain your space

Maintaining your space is a critical component of the KonMari Method. After you’ve gone through the process of decluttering and organizing, it’s important to establish habits and routines that will help you keep your home tidy and joyful.

One of the key principles of maintaining your space is to put things away immediately after using them. This can be a difficult habit to establish, but it’s essential for keeping clutter at bay. When you put things away right away, you prevent piles of items from accumulating, and you ensure that everything has a designated place.

Another important habit is to do a quick tidying-up each day. This can be as simple as taking a few minutes to put away items that have accumulated on surfaces throughout the day, such as mail or clothes. By taking care of small messes regularly, you prevent them from becoming overwhelming.

It’s also important to periodically reassess your belongings and continue to let go of items that no longer spark joy. The KonMari Method isn’t a one-time process; it’s an ongoing practice. By regularly going through your possessions and letting go of items that no longer serve you, you can keep your space feeling fresh and joyful.

In addition to these habits, it’s important to establish routines for cleaning and organizing. For example, you may want to schedule a weekly cleaning day where you deep-clean your home and tackle any larger organization projects. You may also want to establish a system for managing your belongings, such as a rotating seasonal wardrobe or a regular book donation to your local library.

Maintain your space

Create a Home that Truly Sparks Joy

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter or unsure where to start, give the KonMari Method a try. It’s a simple but powerful approach that can help you transform your home and your life. Remember, the process is not just about tidying up but about creating a space that supports your well-being and brings you joy.

Don’t be afraid to let go of items that no longer serve you, and don’t feel pressured to follow every aspect of the method to the letter. The most important thing is to focus on what truly brings you joy and create a space reflecting your values and vision.

So take some time to declutter and organize your space using the KonMari Method. You may be surprised at how much lighter and happier you feel once you’ve cleared the clutter and created a home that truly sparks joy.

About Hellamaid

Hellamaid is a top-rated cleaning company in Canada that’s changing the cleaning industry. When we’re not cleaning, we’re sharing helpful content to help clients, communities, and cleaners feel happier, healthier, and safer!

We’ve been featured on Yahoo, Forbes, Redfin, New York Post, Martha Stewart, Homes&Gardens, WikiHow, and more.

Connect with Us

For content collabs or ideas, please email us at [email protected]

Hellamaid is a top-rated cleaning company in Canada that’s changing the cleaning industry. Led by two engineers, Ahmed and Abdul,  Hellamaid is on a mission to make cleaning services a better experience for both ends of the market: homeowners and cleaners. We offer value to homeowners through easy online booking and impeccable customer service, while offering a flexible and well paid opportunity to our cleaning partners. Learn more about us here!

Connect with us!