Marie Kondo’s New Decluttering Guide Just Might Change Your Life

We might have had a few false starts (read: cold snaps and thunderstorms), but spring is officially on its way – giving us all a chance to get stuck into a home reset. But if the prospect of a spring clean is making you apprehensive, there’s one cheat code you can always rely on: the KonMari method. And even better? Marie Kondo has just shared some brand new decluttering tips. 

What Is Marie Kondo’s Decluttering Method?

Marie Kondo’s original method – and her claim to fame – formed the basis of her bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up. While it might now be known for helping us all to consider which of our possessions ‘spark joy’, the KonMari method consists of six basic rules:

• Commit yourself to tidying up: Decluttering with intention, rather than hoping for a quick fix.
• Imagine your ideal lifestyle: Tidying with an end goal in mind will allow you to make concrete changes and minimise mess in the long-term.
• Finish discarding first: Work on decluttering first, before organising your remaining possessions.
• Tidy by category, not by location: Adopt a targeted approach by focusing on categories of objects rather than entire rooms or areas of your home.
• Follow the right order: To declutter effectively, begin with clothes, then books, before moving onto miscellaneous items and finally tackling sentimental possessions.
• Ask yourself if it sparks joy: Consider how you feel about an item and encourage yourself to discard what doesn’t inspire you or serve an obvious purpose.

(c) Marie Kondo & Epson

Marie Kondo’s New Decluttering Tips

The KonMari method really is a failsafe hack for tidying up, and it’s helped to make Marie hugely successful: she’s now written four books and has even hosted her own Netflix series. Now, thanks to a partnership with Japanese electronics brand Epson, she’s back with even more decluttering tips – this time centred on the concept of ‘kanso’.

Roughly translating to ‘simplicity’ or ‘clarity’, kanso is one of the seven principles of wabi-sabi: a Japanese philosophy emphasising the acceptance of imperfection. To help you bring kanso into your home, Marie has shared five new tips. Here’s the rundown…

Joy-Check Your Tech

Taking its cue from the final step of the KonMari method, this tip prompts you to take a crucial step: letting go of anything that doesn’t serve you. More specifically, however, it points to tech items like old tablets and even laptops or phones (not to mention cables, charging cords and any other accessories you no longer need). By recycling or selling these items – which likely do not bring you any joy at all – you can shed clutter and gain back valuable space.

Form Follows Function

Marie’s trademark strategy might be all about sparking joy, but it still invites nuance – some essential items, after all, will simply be functional rather than immediately inspiring. When it comes to kitchen or home office supplies, for example, think about what truly makes your life easier (and, by extension, more joyful). Keep anything that serves a practical purpose and helps to simplify your life; sell, donate or recycle anything that feels obsolete.

If you’re really striving for minimalism, Marie suggests streamlining your appliances. ‘Switch your desktop for a laptop that can be stowed away, replace multiple kitchen appliances with one multifunctional option, and even switch your TV for a portable projector,’ she says.

(c) Marie Kondo & Epson

Welcome Empty Space

Once you’ve successfully decluttered an area, you might be tempted to fill it with other items from around the house – or to reward yourself with some brand new decor. Kanso, however, hinges upon simplicity, and Marie stresses the importance of keeping your space clear. ‘When the eye rests on empty space, the mind feels a sense of calm: a welcome pause from the commotion of everyday life,’ she explains. 

To maintain this sense of minimalism, organisation is key. ‘Store essentials out of sight by organising them in bins and baskets, and don’t forget cords and tech accessories – hide them wherever possible,’ she advises.

Give Everything A Home

To really simplify your life, every item needs a designated place. ‘Once everything has a home, there is no question of leaving it on a tabletop or surface, meaning each room will feel more spacious,’ Marie explains.

Just as the KonMari method encourages decluttering by category, Marie’s new tip is to store things in categories, too. ‘In a closet, hang (or fold and store) all sweaters together,’ she suggests. ‘In a desk drawer, organise all batteries in one place and writing supplies in another.’

Embrace Imperfection

The very basis of a tidy home? Identifying what works for you and accepting imperfections along the way.

‘Above all, wabi-sabi celebrates the beauty of impermanence and imperfection,’ Marie explains. ‘No two homes will look the same – or embrace kanso in the same way – because no two people have the same definition of joy. Ask yourself what you need most from your home, and embrace it.’