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.
Marie Kondo has a unique system for tackling the clutter in your home. She makes it easy to know where to start and how to go from the easiest categories to those that cause the most emotional turmoil and make decluttering so hard!
If you don’t know where to start, use this free 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.
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.
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
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!
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!
Brilliant Lessons Learned from Marie Kondo
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
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!