Do you want to take advantage of the lockdown to do a big spring cleaning? We can only encourage you in this direction. Even better, we've compiled Marie Kondo's top tips for you. According to her, tidying up your interior can change our life and even our way of thinking. Thus, in his bestseller Storage Magic, the popess of the organization has developed an effective and sustainable method, called “KonMari”. Here are his 5 main principles that have been around the world…
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Tidy up quickly… In one go!
For the Japanese consultant, tidying up here and there, from time to time, is completely counterproductive. Rearranging your closet then taking a break, tidying up a room, then stopping… Nope! His recommendation? Provide a non-stop week or sacrifice every weekend for a month. Yes, the sooner you achieve your goals, the less the mess will be likely to take up residence again in your home.
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Keep only the objects that make us happy
This is the golden rule of the method konmari. Gather ALL your clothes (coats, jeans, sweaters, shoes, bags, accessories, shirts, underwear...) in one place then take each piece one by one in your hands and put the question very simple: “Does this make me happy? ". The rest, you know it. If you experience a 'spark of joy', then keep the garment. Otherwise, get rid of it. It is a question here not of thinking in terms of utility but of feelings !
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Sort by type of object and not by room
In her famous book, Marie explains that this mistake is one of the most common. People would tend to tidy up room after room – the bedroom then the living room then the kitchen… – rather than doing it by object type. Only, it is not rare that we have the same object such as a notebook or even a pen, in different rooms of the house. Grouping them together would therefore make it possible to sort them out in all conscience. The order she recommends? Start by sorting clothes, books, administrative papers, Komonos (Japanese word for “miscellaneous items”), and finally, items of sentimental value. During your big sorting, make three separate piles: that of the objects you keep, the one you are going to give away and the one you are going to get rid of. Marie makes it a point of honor to thank for their good and loyal service. We warned you, it's going to take you a while...
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Fold clothes the KonMari way
To gain a few precious square meters (non negligable, especially for small Parisian surfaces…) Marie Kondo uses the fold rather than hanger or flat storage. An essential precept of his method, the KonMari folding is a very practical technique that saves real time and space. After being neatly folded, all your clothes should be stored vertically. If you don't have enough drawers, use empty shoeboxes. Then arrange the light pieces towards you and the darker ones behind. The idea: to see at a glance what you have and thus avoid the eternal symptom of "I have nothing to wear"... Stacks of t-shirts and socks in balls, it's is finished !
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Choose a place for everything
The secret to an always impeccable home? To find a place for everything and stick to it! Closet, cupboard, shelf, kitchen or bathroom, take the time to arrange your objects, utensils and other knick-knacks in the most logical and, above all, the most pleasant to look at.
By Melanie Hroorakvit
