Simple Closet Decluttering Rules to Live by in a Post-Marie Kondo Era

Simple Closet Decluttering Rules to Live by in a Post-Marie Kondo Era

Marie Kondo’s hit Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, was a certified cultural reset when it started streaming back in 2018. In addition to changing the way people looked at the things they owned and giving them valuable pointers on how to keep their homes neater and more organized, the show also made viewers examine their consumption habits differently. The urge to just randomly shop tights or buy some new jeans was replaced by something else. 

Kondo’s KonMari method espouses a kind of minimalism rooted in such a fundamental emotion—joy—and making sure that everything in the home has its place. Not only was it practical, but for many people, it was also downright spiritual. 

If you are one of those people who enjoyed the feeling of lightness that you got from doing KonMari but have since fallen back into old habits, this is the guide for you. Below is a set of rules that you can refer to so that you can retake control of your closet and continue living the Marie Kondo way of life.

Invest in Versatile, High-Quality Pieces

One of the best ways to start decluttering your closet is to stop accumulating clutter! If you are a compulsive shopper, you might want to re-examine your consumption habits and start viewing your clothes as investments. Not only will you be able to keep your closet more manageable by doing this, but you might also find yourself dressing better because of it. 

Put your money towards high-quality, versatile staples that you can get a lot of mileage from. This can include leggings that won’t look out of place whether you wear them to the gym or brunch with your friends. You can also purchase a pair of jeans that look great on you, a blazer that can add polish to any day or night outfit, and so on. 

Keep Everything You Own Visible

Kondo popularized a certain way of folding and storing clothes that allows her clients to easily find exactly what they’re looking for. Her basic folding method involves folding garments into neat little rectangles, while her storage method entails putting them away upright. This way, every time you pull a drawer open, you won’t have trouble locating what it is that you want to wear. 

In addition to this nifty way of putting your clothes away, you might want to hang your clothes according to categories, then by color order. This is a great way to start decluttering and will make your closet more functional and aesthetically harmonious.

Know How to Do a Proper Closet Purge

Paring your closet down can be incredibly difficult at first, but the process does get easier the more you keep at it. However, Kondo’s ethos of keeping only those things that “spark joy” can feel somewhat nebulous to those new to the concept. To address that, many experts recommend sorting your clothes according to four distinct piles, namely: “Love,” “Toss,” “Maybe,” and “Donate/Sell.”  

  • The “Love” pile is for pieces that fit you well and that you reach for often.
  • The “Toss” pile is for garments that are damaged, discolored, or in poor condition. 
  • Put clothes that you instinctively want to keep in the “Maybe” pile. You can give it a second sweep later.
  • Clothes, shoes, and accessories that no longer fit you or your style but are still in good condition can go in the “Donate/Sell” pile. 

Any seasonal items can go into holiday boxes and be kept within easy reach. This way, they’ll be easy to find when you pack for your next vacation or when the seasons turn. 

After decluttering and purging your closet of the “Toss” and “Donate/Sell” items, you can do a second sweep of the clothes in your “Maybe” pile. This is also a good time to try things on and examine how they fit and feel. If something no longer fits or is annoying or uncomfortable to wear, let it go.  

Decluttering your closet can do so much for you aside from making it easier to get dressed in the mornings. It can help you rediscover old favorites and bring variety back into your OOTDs. With these rules in mind, you’ll also become a more conscious shopper while maintaining a manageable volume of stuff in your wardrobe.