Tidy Up, Tidy Down Marie Kondo’s Top 5 Tips

Kondo-ing, a verb based on Marie Kondo that refers to the purging of one’s belongings or precise folding of one’s clothing

Two years ago, Marie Kondo, a professional home organizer from Japan, launched her Netflix television series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, and immediately became a sensation in the U.S.A. Her calm and joyful approach to tidying people’s homes is based on classic Japanese principles and is what differentiates her method from other home organizers, making her and her best-selling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” unique.

We rode the Kondo wave two years ago, too and created a blog titled Decluttering: You Can Do It, which outlined six of her tips to help you declutter and organize your closet. Building off that original blog, we’ve taken five more of Kondo’s home organizing tips and applied them to a wider variety of spaces so you can tidy every corner in your home.

Tip 1 – Give everything a home

When each item in your home has a designated place, tidiness can be achieved and maintained. Kondo says, “Clutter has nothing to do with what or how much you own – it’s the failure to put things back where they belong.” 

Custom closet installations are perfect for organizing all the items in your walk-in closet, reach-in closet or wardrobe. Our thirty years of experience and innovative solutions tackle any space, regardless of shape or size. Corner shelving for handbags; a vanity for storing and putting on makeup; multiple hanging sections of varying lengths that can store any and all types of clothing – the customization available to you guarantees each item in your closet its own home while adhering to your preferred aesthetic. Inserts, baskets & shelving – oh, my!

Tip 2 – Create a vision of your ideal space

Pinterest, Instagram, a vision board or a dream life journal – make sure you have a specific idea of what you want for the space you are tackling and document it. This is your home and its look should bring you joy.

When you work with us, you’ll find we make it easier (and joyful!) to take your vision from concept to reality with our scores of home design options. These many options are not only stylish but functional, too. We have over 25 different glass door options, a selection of 90 different colors, dozens of finishes and textures to choose from, as well as traditional and contemporary style options for drawers and doors. There are seemingly endless options for countertops with solid surface, quartz and granite top choices. Lastly, when working with us you’ll also be working with one of our professional designers, or space optimizations specialists, whose role is to help you achieve architectural beauty and integrity that is definitive of your vision.

Tip 3 – Get creative

Although self-explanatory, the notion of getting creative can be intimidating, especially when applied to organization. Some of us are simply more left brained than right brained. That’s where we come in.

Take your home office, for example. In this scenario, this space is not only for your personal use but also serves as a guest bedroom. You feel cramped, though, because there is always a queen size bed inching against the back of your desk chair. On the other hand, your personal things like your wallet, keys and more litter the top of your desk creating clutter only to be tossed into a drawer when guests arrive to stay with you.

We suggest tackling both problems. For your personal items, why not use drawer inserts where you can purposefully place your things? Such an insert can be made of velvet or acrylic, depending on your style preference and needs. With regards to the guest bed that takes up valuable floor space, why not go vertical and switch to a pull-down, also known as a Murphy bed? A bookcase front would not only conceal the bed but provide more shelving for your books and decorative items.

There are options that we’ll help you explore to determine the best fit for you and your budget. Let’s get creative.

Tip 4 – Store items properly

Kondo is spot on when she explains the impact that storage (or the lack of) can have on your home’s organization. Without the proper storage space and/or materials to store (materials like bins, baskets etc.), clutter can get out of hand. Worse yet, even if you do not have a lot of clutter, a lack of proper storage receptacles can give the illusion of a mess, making you feel as though all of your best cleaning and decluttering efforts are in vain. There is no better example of storage gone awry than one’s garage. Frequently a catch-all for seldom or never used pieces, a garage often holds more than just gardening and handy-man tools.

We offer several options for garage storage, which include the Slatwall system. The Slatwall system is a simple concept that, when applied, takes your everyday tools like brooms, and not so everyday items like a handsaw, and lifts them up (literally)! This vertical storage system is adjustable and completely customizable, so no space is too small or big, and as you splurge or purge, you can always add or take away hooks.

If you still see a mess but already have the proper shelving and/or cabinetry in your garage, then you just need the correct vessel to store its contents. Some people prefer clear plastic containers with lids, while others choose cloth baskets in a color that pops. Bins, cardboard boxes, wooden crates – whatever your storage preference, the options are there.

Tip 5 – Embrace sentimentality

Marie Kondo has an eight-week tidy challenge that is truly great because it allows you to take your time as you comb through your home and organize its contents. Each week is mapped out according to a category. Of course, you do not have to follow her entire eight-week tidy challenge, nor do you have to approach your tidying per category – you can declutter via location, too, depending on your preference. During week six, however, Kondo does have you put all of your sentimental items in one spot and discern what you will keep and what will be tossed. This is a great idea because sometimes sentimentality can be overlooked for functionality – why not incorporate what brings you joy into your space?

Kondo recommends displaying items like memorabilia, souvenirs, trophies and heirlooms like works of art. If you already have a designated space in each room for these pieces, then you’re set! If you do not, however, a custom-built media center is a great way to combine sentimentality with functionality. Display collectibles and keep items organized, while ensuring wires are concealed. Indeed, The Closet Works’ team can design the perfect combination of shelves, cabinets and open storage to meet your needs – all in finishes that match your home’s style. Already have a media center? Simply add floating shelves yourself – this will give you the power to display the sentimental items you want on your budget.

Marie Kondo, the new guru of organization, is a great resource for when you’re working on decluttering and organizing your home. Her six tips for organizing your closet, in addition to the five we mapped out in this blog, are focused on bringing you joy, sparked from the comfort of your home. When you combine her tidy checklist with Closet Works’ expertise, superior services and customizable options, the blend results in a perfect match you can rely on.

Interested in learning more about getting organized or The Closet Works’ custom closet installations? Contact us today for a free design consultation with one of our professional Designers.