The Netflix show 'Tidying Up with Marie Kondo' has provided much-needed inspiration on how to tidy up your home – namely, using the popular Konmari method. Based on advice from the star of the show, here are some tips and tricks for tackling the most relaxing room in the house – the bedroom.
1. Tackle clutter by category
The KonMari method divides clutter into 5 categories – clothing, books, documents, miscellaneous and sentimental items. Putting everything in one big pile makes it easier to get organized as it shows you how much you really have.
Tackling clutter based on the KonMari method helps to maintain order and avoid having to clean up again. This also helps on a psychological level, as it reminds us to think about what to buy rather than fixate on what we want.
2. Keep items that make you happy Practicing gratitude is an important part of Kondo's ethos and it is reflected in how she suggests working through each category. Her approach is to pick up each item to see if it brings happiness. If so, keep it, and if not, it's time to let it go.
So to know if something makes you happy, hold it in both hands and see how the body reacts. You will feel a certain excitement when something makes you happy and a sense of heaviness when it doesn't. This is an opportunity to "thank" a product for its service before moving on, and it highlights how to tackle clutter in an organized and cheerful manner.
3. Use the 'Fold and Stand' method
Finding a home for discardable items can be tricky, so it's important to keep things in order and easy to identify. Kondo's way of folding clothes in three and then standing them up takes up less space, so it works just as well in closets as well as in smaller spaces like bedside tables and chests of drawers.
This method can take some getting used to, but makes it easy to visually keep track of the clothes you have. Additionally, if you wanted to color-code your wardrobe, the unified look and size of each item means you can turn your wardrobe into an Instagram-friendly dream.
The fold and stand method is also perfect for beds with built-in storage – an area of space that can be easily overlooked. Some beds have plenty of room for essentials like linens and towels, and attached drawers that will take advantage of this KonMari trick. This can help create a sense of happiness when a drawer or cabinet is opened to reveal a tidy and organized space.
4. Make use of small boxes Using small boxes for clothes and other essentials is a particularly useful storage tip for the bedroom. The compact size of the boxes fits easily into drawers and cabinets and is perfect for clothing or miscellaneous items. This is especially useful for stray items that are easily lost – rings, watches, glasses, socks – and makes rushing a lot easier.
A good thing to use here might be an old gift or shoe box – they are often large and are a good way to make use of something that would otherwise be thrown away. It also allows you to get creative, making the boxes more beautiful according to DIY. This can be another way to create happiness - bringing together elements of decorating and tidying. And a bonus:it's also easier to clean and move things while keeping everything tidy.
