When it comes to the art of organization, few figures rival the skill or prestige of Marie Kondo. The Japanese-born tidying guru is admired globally for her pioneering home-organizing ideas that dominate the likes of Netflix and the New York Times Best Seller list.
The most recent addition to this portfolio, Kurashi at Home (kurashi meaning 'way of life' in Japanese), teaches readers to change their outlook on tidying through the KonMari Method, for which the organizer is so well known. The book is a handbook on visualizing an 'ideal life,' which is often the start of a clean, decluttered home, as Marie explains in the publication.
It was only inevitable, therefore, that when H&G sat down with Marie Kondo, her organizational tips were at the top of our agenda. The consultant has already shared her top tidying mistakes to avoid, but what is the single biggest thing to avoid when it comes to decluttering mistakes? Here, Marie reveals all.
The biggest decluttering mistake you can make – according to Marie Kondo
Marie Kondo explains that the biggest mistake you can make is to organize a particular area rather than by category.
'The KonMari Method firmly encourages participants to tidy by category and not by location. This means you'll start with one type of item, such as clothes, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and finally sentimental items,' she says.
'It might seem logical to tackle one shelf, closet, or room at a time, but tidying this way will result in constant organizing of the same areas over and over, versus a more permanent solution. When you tidy each place separately, you're repeating the same work in many locations. Therefore, tidying by category is a vital component of the KonMari Method.'
Mastering Marie's decluttering tips is one of the first steps to curating a 'kurashi' in your home. However, as Ms. Kondo shares, clutter is not the only thing threatening the ideal version of your life.
'Every person's definition of Kurashi is going to vary according to what they value in their life. I think this is why my method is so personal to everyone, it truly comes down to what your individual wants and needs are,' Marie begins.
'Sometimes, it can be tricky for people to identify what they are looking for in their home and their life. It requires having a very honest conversation with yourself to identify your hopes and dreams. I encourage participants to look in deeply when asking themselves these questions.
This isn't a conversation that needs to be quick or easy. Some people even like to write their answers down or draw examples of their ideal surroundings – do whatever is the most conducive way for you to be as true to yourself during this process, so you can truly understand your version of Kurashi.'
-
Should you choose your paint color or your furniture first? Trust me, there is a right order if you want a cohesive schemeDesign has no strict formulas. Nevertheless, there is a sensible and a not-so-sensible order to approaching designing a room – we ask the experts what comes first, paint color or furniture choice?
-
The ultimate summer barbecue menu – stylish, seasonal, and so easyFrom our home-made rub and our best-ever grilled lamb to our smoky lapsang souchong ice cream and whisky cocktail, we can help you get your summer barbecue party started
-
Marie Kondo has 'given up' on tidying, but it isn't a surprise – here's whyThe world's most famous organizer no longer prioritizes a tidy home – but this is fulfilling her KonMari method, experts say
-
Drew Barrymore's spring cleaning secret will bring 'a sense of control' to your homeThe actress decided she was going to 'Marie Kondo' her life – here's what her process involved – and how you can do the same
-
Gisele Bündchen uses Marie Kondo’s decluttering rule to reorganize her entire home – a true minimalist sanctuaryThe supermodel says that she 'can't stand messy places' – here's how she keeps her space organized
-
Marie Kondo says this is the biggest challenge when decluttering – and how to overcome it for a more organized lifeThe world's most respected organizer sat down with H&G to explain how to tackle the trickiest part of any tidying journey
-
Marie Kondo's simple rule to tell if your home is 'cluttered' – and how to fix it
In an exclusive interview with H&G, the organizational guru shares how to curate a personal space – without the clutter
-
Exclusive: Marie Kondo starts every 'tidying journey' with this simple rule
The world's most esteemed organizer shares how to organize a home that fits your 'ideal lifestyle' – and the simple way to bring instant calm to your space
-
KonMari Master warns against this pantry organization mistake – and suggests this clever zoning solutionThe organization guru urges you to replace scattered storage with a KonMari zoning tip – for a pantry that will stay tidier for longer
-
The 5 tidying mistakes to avoid – according to the Marie Kondo methodMake this your last weekend of decluttering for a while with these Marie Kondo-approved tips
