Marie Kondo KonMari Category Tidy

Apply the Marie Kondo category tidy method to declutter your home systematically. Gather every item in a category, keep what sparks joy, and assign fixed homes.

5 time blocks, 45 minutes in total.

Time blocks

Gather All Category Items in One Spot: 10 min
Pile every item from the target category onto the floor or bed
Touch Every Item to Assess Joy: 15 min
Hold each item individually and keep only what sparks clear joy
Thank Discarded Items: 5 min
Acknowledge the service of discarded items before donate placement
Fold or Package Vertically: 10 min
Fold garments into neat upright rectangles that stand on edge
Assign a Fixed Home: 5 min
Return surviving items to designated spaces where they stay visible

About this routine

The Marie Kondo category tidy approach changes how you organize your home. Rather than cleaning room by room, you work strictly through specific item categories in order: clothes, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental objects. Consolidating everything at once exposes the true volume of your belongings.

The heart of the method relies on a tactile decision standard. You hold each item with both hands to determine if it sparks joy. If an item no longer serves you, you thank it for its service before letting it go. This mindset shifts decluttering from a chore of loss into an exercise in keeping what you love.

To complete the process, items are stored vertically rather than stacked. Upright storage keeps every piece visible and accessible, preventing hidden clutter from building up again in drawers or closets.

Why this routine works

Prevents clutter from relocating across different rooms
Creates clear visibility for every remaining object
Simplifies daily decisions by keeping only joyful belongings
Establishes permanent homes for items to avoid future messes

FAQ

What is the order of categories in the KonMari method?

Marie Kondo specifies tidying in five strict categories: clothes, books, papers, komono or miscellaneous items, and sentimental objects.

Why does Marie Kondo tidy by category instead of by room?

Tidying by room causes you to move identical items from place to place. Tidying by category exposes everything you own in one spot so you can make accurate decisions.

How long does a KonMari category tidy block take?

A single focused category block takes 45 minutes, though completing all five categories across your whole home may take multiple sessions.

Sources

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo
KonMari Method Official Guide, KonMari Media