• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Happy Simple Mom Logo

Happy Simple Mom

Simple, Clutter-Free Living

  • Start Here
  • Decluttering
    • How to Declutter
    • Areas to Declutter
    • Cleaning
    • Organization
  • Simple Living
    • The Simple Life
    • Minimalism with Kids
    • Minimalist Lifestyle
    • Simple Gifts

Download Your Free KonMari Method Checklist and Successfully Tidy Your Home!

January 20

Sharing is caring!

991 shares
  • Share105

Are you looking for a KonMari method checklist to help you declutter your home?

Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, has been a big hit for those looking to declutter their homes for the past few years.  Now, with the debut of her show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, you can watch this master organizer live and in action.

Use my free KonMari Checklist.

Click for KonMari Checklist

This post contains affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

The KonMari Checklist rules:

If following the KonMari method checklist, go in the order provided.

Don’t change the order based on your own personality. The Marie Kondo order is very specific to what her experience has taught her about gaining the most success with your decluttering efforts.

The Marie Kondo Order:

1 - Discard everything at once.  Don’t move on to the next category until you have completely tackled the category you are working on. Organize only after discarding.

2 - Only keep items that “spark joy”.  My definition: If it is useful or makes you happy, then keep it.  If you are keeping it out of guilt or “just in case,” it may be time to let it go.  Decluttering is hard, and sometimes emotions can get in your way.

3 - Don’t start with sentimental items. That’s why following Marie Kondo’s order is so important.  If you start with sentimental items, you are certainly setting yourself up for failure. 

The KonMari Checklist goes in the following order:

  • Clothing
  • Books
  • Papers
  • Komono (miscellaneous items)
  • Sentimental items

The KonMari Method Checklist has you sort through all the stuff in your house, decluttering your house until you are left with only things that bring you joy. 

Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, then tells you how to properly organize your remaining belongings. 

Use the KonMari Method Checklist to help declutter your closet.

Click to get the FREE KonMari Method Checklist!

Designate a place for everything

Give everything in your home a designated place.  When you do this, you will no longer wonder where lost items are located. 

In my house, I am the one who never has lost keys. (I can’t say as much about my husband!) Put a key ring holder by the door, designate a bowl, or designate a shelf.  When you give items a place, it can make your mornings less chaotic!

Use the space you own

Use the space you own and no more.  This is how excess is created.  If you have only a small space to store books, then don’t keep as many books!

Don’t try storing items before you purge them either.  The KonMari Checklist has you discard first, and then fit the remaining items on the space you own. 

Don’t get fancy with your storage

OK, that may not be part of the official tidying up with Marie Kondo steps, but it is essentially her message. 

You don’t have to get fancy with your storage solutions.  You can use pretty shoeboxes in your dresser drawers as drawer dividers.

Related post: How to Manage Toy Clutter in 9 Simple Steps (Guilt-Free)

I like to use larger Rubbermaid containers in my kids’ closets to hold all their stuffed animals.  I used a $0.99 plastic silverware holder to organize my junk drawer.

Allow yourself one junk drawer in your kitchen organization project.

You could go to The Container Store and buy all the newest and greatest organizing bins.  I’ve even been known to buy a few cute ones at Target.  However, cute and expensive baskets and organizing bins are an unnecessary luxury.

Store like items together

Store all like items together.  Random batteries? Those all go in the same place!

Fabric scraps? Store them all together in an organizing bin.

RELATED POST: Craft Room Organization

My favorite application of this rule is in my kids’ rooms when storing their toys. 

I have an Ikea shelf with sliding baskets in it.  Each basket holds a specific type of toy, like Barbies, Hot Wheels, and dress-up accessories.   We have a catch-all toy box for all the other random toys!

RELATED POST: How to Manage Toy Clutter in 9 Simple Steps (Guilt-Free)

Embrace vertical storage

The KonMari checklist suggests the best way to store items is vertical.  

You guys, I’m obsessed with storing my socks and dresser clothes items vertically now! It changes the entire layout of your drawer. 

No more digging around for your favorite t-shirt or pair of socks.  You can see right where they are amongst all your other shirts and socks!

KonMari Check List encourages vertical folding and vertical storage.

This is my quick summary of Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.  If you don’t have the book, I highly recommend it! At least check it out from the library.  If you buy it (my recommendation), you can always pass it on to a friend when you are done. 

The book, even with its quirks, is a delight to read and will change how you see and organize your home!  Marie Kondo doesn’t suggest spending a whole lot of money or even hiring a professional organizer, although that is an option.  She walks you through step-by-step how to find peace and joy in your home.

Related post: My favorite lessons learned from Marie Kondo

If you don’t want to read the book, that’s okay too.  You can still use my KonMari method checklist to tackle your home.  Print it out and grab a pen.  You are on your way to a tidy home!

KonMari Checklist
Click for KonMari Checklist

Sharing is caring!

991 shares
  • Share105
Category: Decluttering, How to Declutter
Previous Post:Folded socks in a drawer, an easy place to start declutteringBrilliant Lessons Learned from Marie Kondo
Next Post:9 Reasons Moms Should Be Spending More Time With Friends

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joan

    May 30 at 10:29 pm

    After your message of encouragement last week I tided 3 drawers out in my bedroom before I went down stairs. I was so pleased with myself. Now I have only 15 more to go.
    Keep up the good work ,now I need to pass it on to friends and family.
    Thank you . Joan. xxx

    Reply
    • Brooke

      May 30 at 10:43 pm

      Thank you Joan!!! I so appreciate your comment! Decluttering has literally changed our home and lives. Those 15 drawers will happen before you know it. Small goals checked off will get you there! I’m glad you enjoyed the KonMari checklist. Let me know if I can be of any support on your journey!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Join the Happy Simple Mom community:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Happy Simple Mom profile image - welcome to the page!

Hello, I’m Brooke! My goal is to share lessons I’ve learned to live simply and clutter-free with a family. Don’t let excess stuff and too many obligations weigh you down. Reduce your stress, and live a happy life!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

mom cleaning her floors with a vacuum

Dear Sweet Friend… Don’t Clean Your House For Me

Blue front door with a package in front of it

7 Easy Practices to Stop Clutter from Ever Entering Your Home

Mom meditating while kids play with toys around her

9 Easy Ways to Get Your Kids Interested in a More Minimalist Lifestyle

A minimalist family hiking and sitting on a mountain side.

Minimalism May be the Secret Ingredient Your Family NEEDS

  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 · Happy Simple Mom™ · All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Home

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
 

Loading Comments...