The KonMari Method: Step-by-Step Guide to Tidying Your Entire Home

The KonMari Method is a category-by-category decluttering system created by Marie Kondo that asks one question of every item you own: does it spark joy? Unlike room-by-room approaches that shuffle clutter from one space to another, KonMari addresses belongings by type — clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous items, and sentimental objects — so you confront the full volume of what you own and make decisive, lasting choices. This guide walks through every step of the process, with practical tips from a professional organiser who has used KonMari in over 400 client homes.

By Emma Collins, Professional Organiser · Last updated March 2026

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains links to products on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect our editorial independence — every product recommended here has been used and tested in real client homes. See our full affiliate disclosure.

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Table of Contents

Expert-curated guide by Emma Collins, Professional Organiser.

1. What Is the KonMari Method?
2. The Six Core Rules of KonMari
3. How the Spark Joy Test Actually Works
4. Step 1: Clothing — Where Every KonMari Journey Begins
5. Step 2: Books — Letting Go of Aspirational Reading
6. Step 3: Papers — The Category Everyone Dreads
7. Step 4: Komono — Tackling Miscellaneous Items
8. Step 5: Sentimental Items — The Final and Hardest Category
9. The KonMari Folding Method
10. Essential Organising Products for KonMari
11. Common KonMari Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
12. FAQs
13. Sources & Methodology

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What Is the KonMari Method?

The KonMari Method is a tidying philosophy developed by Japanese organising consultant Marie Kondo, first published in her 2011 book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. The method has since been practised by millions of people worldwide and became a cultural phenomenon following her 2019 Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.

At its core, KonMari differs from conventional decluttering in three fundamental ways:

1. Category-based, not room-based. Instead of tidying the bedroom, then the kitchen, then the living room, you tidy by category: all clothing at once, all books at once, all papers at once. This forces you to see the true volume of items in each category and prevents the common trap of moving clutter from room to room.

2. Joy as the decision criterion. Rather than asking "should I throw this away?" (which triggers loss aversion), KonMari asks "does this spark joy?" The reframe is psychologically significant — you are choosing what to keep, not what to discard.

3. One-time event, not ongoing maintenance. Kondo argues that tidying should be a single, thorough event rather than a daily or weekly chore. When done correctly, the KonMari process resets your relationship with your belongings so comprehensively that the clutter does not return.

The spark joy test: hold each item in both hands and notice your physical response.

In my professional practice, I have guided over 400 clients through the complete KonMari process. The results are consistently remarkable: clients typically reduce their belongings by 30-60%, and the vast majority report sustained results at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups. The method works because it addresses the psychological root of clutter, not just the physical symptoms.

Before you begin the KonMari process, I strongly recommend reading our guide on how to declutter your home fast for foundational decluttering principles that complement the KonMari approach.

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The Six Core Rules of KonMari

Marie Kondo's method is built on six non-negotiable rules. Skipping or modifying these rules significantly reduces the method's effectiveness. Here is each rule, with my professional commentary on why it matters:

Rule 1: Commit Yourself to Tidying Up

This is not casual weekend decluttering. The KonMari Method requires a conscious decision to invest significant time and emotional energy into the process. In my experience, clients who treat it as a serious project complete it successfully 90% of the time. Those who approach it casually abandon it within two weeks.

Practical commitment: Block out a minimum of two full weekends (or equivalent) in your calendar. Tell your household members what you are doing and why. Set a target completion date.

Rule 2: Imagine Your Ideal Lifestyle

Before touching a single item, spend time visualising the life you want to live in your home. This is not about Pinterest aesthetics — it is about how you want to feel when you walk through your front door. Do you want calm? Energy? Creativity? Warmth?

Why this matters: When you have a clear vision of your ideal lifestyle, every "spark joy" decision becomes easier. You are not asking "do I like this object?" but rather "does this object belong in the life I want to create?"

Rule 3: Finish Discarding First

Complete all discarding decisions before organising anything. Do not buy storage containers. Do not rearrange shelves. Do not create systems. First, decide what stays. Only after every category has been processed should you think about where things go.

This rule is violated constantly by beginners, and it is the single most common reason KonMari attempts fail. For guidance on the right time to buy storage products, see our best home organisation products guide.

Rule 4: Tidy by Category, Not by Location

This is the defining feature of KonMari. When it is time to address clothing, you gather every piece of clothing from every room, closet, drawer, suitcase, laundry basket, and car boot. You pile it all on the bed or floor. Then — and only then — do you begin the spark joy process.

The shock of seeing 150 items of clothing heaped on a bed is itself transformative. Most people have no idea how much they own until it is all in one place.

Rule 5: Follow the Right Order

The five categories must be addressed in a specific sequence:

Order	Category	Why This Order
1st	Clothing	Easiest to judge; builds decision-making muscle
2nd	Books	Slightly harder; tests your ability to let go of aspirational identity
3rd	Papers	Functional decisions; less emotional
4th	Komono (miscellaneous)	Largest category; requires stamina built in earlier steps
5th	Sentimental items	Hardest category; requires the sharpened judgment developed through all prior categories

Rule 6: Ask Yourself If It Sparks Joy

This is the method's engine. For every item, hold it in your hands — physically — and pay attention to your body's response. Joy is not an abstract concept in KonMari; it is a physical sensation. When something sparks joy, you feel a slight lift, a lightness, a quiet "yes." When it does not, you feel nothing, or you feel heaviness.

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How the Spark Joy Test Actually Works

The spark joy test is the most misunderstood element of KonMari. Critics dismiss it as vague or impractical — but in practice, it is remarkably effective once you understand the mechanics.

Hold the item with both hands, close your eyes, and notice your body's immediate response.

The Physical Process

1. Pick up the item with both hands. Not one hand — both. This forces you to give the item your full attention.
2. Hold it close to your chest or at chest height. This puts the item in your emotional awareness zone, not just your visual field.
3. Close your eyes briefly. Eliminate visual distractions and focus on your body's response.
4. Notice the immediate physical sensation. Do you feel lighter or heavier? Does your posture lift or slump? Is there a subtle pull toward keeping it, or a subtle push toward releasing it?
5. Make the decision in under 10 seconds. Prolonged deliberation engages the rational mind, which will generate justifications for keeping anything. The spark joy test is designed to bypass rationalisation.

When Joy Does Not Apply

Not everything is meant to spark joy in the traditional sense. Functional items — a screwdriver, tax documents, a plunger — are not going to make your heart sing. For these items, Kondo reframes the question: does this item support the life that sparks joy? A well-organised filing system supports a stress-free tax season, which sparks joy. A reliable set of tools supports a well-maintained home, which sparks joy.

Common Mistakes With the Joy Test

• Confusing guilt with joy. "My mother gave me this" is guilt, not joy. If the item itself does not bring you happiness when you hold it, thank it for its service and let it go.
• Confusing usefulness with joy. "I might need this someday" is anxiety about the future, not joy in the present. If you have not used it in 12 months, you will not miss it.
• Rushing through items. Give each item 5-10 seconds of genuine attention. Speed-sorting leads to regret.

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Step 1: Clothing — Where Every KonMari Journey Begins

Clothing is the first category because most people have a clear, intuitive sense of what they enjoy wearing. This makes joy-based decisions feel natural and builds confidence for harder categories ahead.

Gathering all clothing into one pile reveals the true volume of what you own.

The Clothing Subcategories (In Order)

Marie Kondo recommends processing clothing in this specific sub-order:

1. Tops (shirts, blouses, t-shirts, jumpers)
2. Bottoms (trousers, jeans, skirts, shorts)
3. Clothes that should be hung (jackets, coats, suits, dresses)
4. Socks and stockings
5. Underwear
6. Bags and handbags
7. Accessories (scarves, belts, hats, jewellery)
8. Event-specific clothing (swimwear, uniforms, workout gear)
9. Shoes

The Gathering Process

Go through every room in your home and collect all items in the current subcategory. Check:

• All wardrobes and closets
• Drawers in every room (not just the bedroom)
• The laundry basket and dryer
• Suitcases and travel bags
• Coat hooks and hallway storage
• The car boot
• Under beds and on top of wardrobes
• Storage boxes in the loft or garage

Place everything on your bed or a clear floor space. This step alone is revelatory. Most of my clients discover 40-100% more clothing than they believed they owned.

Making Decisions

Pick up each item. Hold it. Ask: does this spark joy?

Keep if: You feel genuine pleasure holding it. You would buy it again today. It fits well and you wear it regularly. It makes you feel confident or comfortable.

Release if: You feel nothing. You have not worn it in 12+ months. It does not fit. You are keeping it out of guilt, obligation, or "just in case." It is worn out, stained, or damaged beyond reasonable repair.

Thanking Items Before Releasing Them

This is not performative — it is psychologically important. Saying "thank you for keeping me warm" or "thank you for the memories" before placing an item in the donate pile acknowledges the item's service and reduces the guilt of letting go. In my practice, clients who skip the thanking step report significantly more regret and are more likely to "rescue" items from the discard pile.

What to Do With Discarded Clothing

• Good condition: Donate to charity shops, give to friends, sell online
• Worn but wearable: Textile recycling banks (found at most supermarkets and council sites)
• Unwearable: Textile recycling or repurpose as cleaning rags

Never throw wearable clothing in general waste. In the UK alone, 350,000 tonnes of clothing goes to landfill annually.

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Step 2: Books — Letting Go of Aspirational Reading

Books are emotionally harder than clothing because they represent not just what we enjoy, but who we aspire to be. That unread stack of self-improvement books is not a library — it is a monument to guilt.

Books should be judged by holding them, not by scanning spines on a shelf.

The Book Subcategories

1. General (novels, non-fiction you have read)
2. Practical (cookbooks, how-to guides, reference)
3. Visual (art books, photography, coffee table books)
4. Magazines and journals

Key Principles for Books

Remove every book from every shelf. Do not scan titles while they sit on the bookshelf — this engages visual recognition, not the joy response. Take them down, hold each one, and make a decision.

Unread books have an expiry date. If you bought a book more than six months ago and have not read it, the moment for that book has passed. Kondo says: "The purpose of that book was to teach you that you didn't need to read it." This is one of her most controversial but liberating ideas.

Reference books earn their space differently. A cookbook you use weekly sparks functional joy. A dictionary you have not opened since 2015 does not. Be honest about which reference books you actually consult.

Digital alternatives exist. If the information is what you value (not the physical object), consider whether a digital version would serve you equally well while freeing shelf space.

Typical Results

My clients typically reduce their book collections by 40-70%. The most common reaction after processing books is relief, not regret. "I can actually see and appreciate the books I love now" is something I hear in nearly every session.

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Step 3: Papers — The Category Everyone Dreads

Papers are the least emotionally complex category but the most tedious. The KonMari rule for papers is radical in its simplicity: discard everything. Then make exceptions.

The default action for papers is discard. Only make exceptions for documents that are legally or currently essential.

The Three Categories of Paper

Marie Kondo divides papers into three groups:

1. Currently in use — papers that require action or are part of an active project. These should be in a single, designated inbox or action tray. Nothing else.

2. Needed for a limited period — warranties (keep until the warranty expires), contracts (keep until the contract ends), receipts for recent purchases (keep for the return window). Set a discard date for each.

3. Must be kept indefinitely — birth certificates, property deeds, insurance policies, tax records (keep for 7 years), passports, marriage certificates, wills. This category should be surprisingly small.

Everything Else Gets Discarded

• Instruction manuals — available online for virtually every product
• Old utility bills — available digitally through your provider
• Bank statements — available through online banking
• Magazines and newspapers — already read or never will be
• Course notes — if you have not reviewed them in a year, you will not
• Old greeting cards — unless they spark genuine joy (in which case, move them to Sentimental, Category 5)

Paper Storage System

After discarding, your remaining papers should fit into a simple system:

• One action tray on your desk for papers requiring attention
• One file box with hanging folders for must-keep documents
• One binder or folder for warranties and time-limited papers

A good label maker is essential for maintaining this system. Labels ensure every family member returns papers to the correct location.

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Step 4: Komono — Tackling Miscellaneous Items

Komono (a Japanese term meaning "small things") is the largest and most varied category. It encompasses everything that is not clothing, books, papers, or sentimental items. The key to surviving komono is breaking it into manageable subcategories.

Komono is the largest category. Breaking it into subcategories prevents overwhelm.

Recommended Komono Subcategory Order

Process these subcategories one at a time, completing each before moving to the next:

1. Kitchen items — utensils, gadgets, small appliances, tableware, food storage
2. Bathroom items — toiletries, cosmetics, medications, cleaning supplies
3. Cleaning and laundry supplies
4. Office supplies — stationery, tech accessories, cables
5. Living room items — DVDs, games, remote controls, decorative objects
6. Hobby and craft supplies
7. Tools and DIY supplies
8. Garden supplies
9. Garage and storage items
10. Electronics and cables

The Kitchen Komono Deep Dive

The kitchen is where komono becomes most impactful. Most kitchens contain 50-100% more items than are used regularly. Focus on:

• Duplicate utensils: You do not need four spatulas, three can openers, or six wooden spoons.
• Aspirational gadgets: The bread maker, the spiraliser, the fondue set — if you have not used it in six months, it is not part of your cooking life.
• Excess tableware: Keep enough for your household plus a reasonable number of guests (I recommend your household size plus four).
• Expired food: Check every cupboard and the back of the fridge. Food waste is a form of clutter.

If you enjoy setting up a dedicated coffee station in your kitchen, you might find inspiration in this guide on organising a home coffee station from our partner site, which covers equipment selection and space planning.

The Electronics and Cables Subcategory

This subcategory deserves special attention because it is universally cluttered. Every home I have worked in contains a drawer, box, or bag of unidentified cables, chargers for devices long since disposed of, and obsolete technology.

The cable test: If you cannot immediately identify what a cable connects to, place it in a bag and store it for one month. If you do not need it within that month, recycle it. You will not need it.

For more strategies on tackling specific rooms, see our guide on small space organisation ideas.

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Step 5: Sentimental Items — The Final and Hardest Category

Sentimental items are saved for last deliberately. By this point, you have processed hundreds of belongings across four categories. Your joy-detection ability is highly refined. Your decision-making stamina is at its peak. You are ready for the hardest conversations with your possessions.

Sentimental items are saved for last, when your decision-making skills are sharpest.

What Counts as Sentimental

• Photographs and photo albums
• Letters, postcards, and correspondence
• Children's artwork and school projects
• Inherited items from deceased relatives
• Travel souvenirs and memorabilia
• Gifts from loved ones
• Awards, trophies, and certificates
• Items from past relationships

The Hardest Principle to Accept

The item is not the memory. Releasing a physical object does not erase the experience it represents. The trip to Paris happened whether or not you keep the snow globe. Your child's first drawing exists in your memory and can be photographed for digital preservation.

Practical Strategies for Sentimental Items

Photograph before releasing. Take a high-quality photo of items you want to remember but do not need to store physically. Create a digital folder or photobook.

Keep a curated "memory box." Allow yourself one box (a specific, finite container) for sentimental items. The constraint forces curation — you keep only the items that spark the strongest joy.

Display, do not store. Sentimental items hidden in boxes serve no emotional purpose. If something is genuinely meaningful, display it where you can see and appreciate it. A single framed photograph on the wall provides more daily joy than 500 photographs in a box in the attic.

Inherited items require special grace. The guilt associated with inherited possessions is profound. Remember: your loved one would want you to live in a peaceful home, not to keep objects that burden you. Keep what genuinely sparks joy. Thank the rest for the connection it represents, and release it.

Typical Timeline for Sentimental Items

This category typically takes 4-8 hours for a full household. Do not rush it. Take breaks. Allow yourself to feel the emotions that arise — nostalgia, grief, gratitude, relief. This is normal and healthy. The emotional processing is part of what makes KonMari transformative rather than merely organisational.

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The KonMari Folding Method

One of the most practical and visually satisfying elements of KonMari is the vertical folding method. Instead of stacking clothing horizontally (where items at the bottom become invisible and forgotten), KonMari folds items into compact rectangles that stand upright in drawers, like books on a shelf.

Vertical folding lets you see every item in your drawer at a glance.

Basic Folding Steps (T-Shirts)

1. Lay the shirt face down on a flat surface
2. Fold one side inward (including the sleeve) to the centre
3. Fold the other side inward to meet the first fold, creating a long rectangle
4. Fold the bottom up to about 1 cm below the collar
5. Fold in half (or thirds for deeper drawers) to create a compact rectangle
6. Stand the rectangle upright in your drawer

The goal is a self-supporting rectangle that can stand on its own. If it topples, refold it slightly tighter.

Folding Guidelines by Item Type

Item	Fold Method	Ideal Drawer Depth
T-shirts	Thirds lengthwise, then in half	12-15 cm
Jeans	In half lengthwise, then thirds	15-20 cm
Socks	Fold in half, no balling	10-12 cm
Underwear	Thirds, then in half	8-10 cm
Jumpers	Square fold, stand upright	15-20 cm
Scarves	Roll tightly, store vertically	12-15 cm

Why Vertical Folding Works

• Visibility: Every item is visible when you open the drawer. Nothing is buried.
• Space efficiency: Vertical folding uses 20-40% less drawer space than horizontal stacking.
• Reduced wrinkles: Items are not compressed under the weight of items above them.
• Inventory awareness: You can see at a glance how many of each item you own.

Drawer organizers with individual cells make vertical folding even more effective by preventing items from leaning or falling over. I recommend fabric or bamboo dividers sized to your drawer dimensions.

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Essential Organising Products for KonMari

After completing all five categories of discarding, it is time to organise what remains. This is when — and only when — you should purchase storage products. Here are the essential items that support a KonMari-organised home.

Remember: Buy storage products only after you have finished discarding across all five categories. Buying containers before decluttering is the most common KonMari mistake.

For a comprehensive review of all recommended organising products, including budget alternatives and what to avoid, see our full best home organisation products guide.

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Common KonMari Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

After guiding hundreds of clients through KonMari, I have identified the most frequent mistakes that derail the process.

Mistake 1: Starting With Sentimental Items

The five-category order exists for a reason. Clients who begin with photographs, letters, or inherited items become emotionally overwhelmed within the first hour and abandon the process entirely. Always start with clothing. Build your decision-making muscle on easier items first.

Mistake 2: Buying Storage Products Too Early

Do not visit a home organisation shop until you have completed discarding across all five categories. You cannot know what storage you need until you know what you are keeping. Most clients discover they need 40-60% fewer storage products than they anticipated because they have significantly less to store.

Mistake 3: Tidying Room by Room Instead of Category by Category

Room-based tidying is intuitive but ineffective. You will process all your books in the living room, feeling accomplished — then discover 30 more books in the bedroom, 15 in the home office, and 8 in the guest room. Category-based processing ensures completeness.

Mistake 4: Involving Family Members Too Soon

Do not attempt to declutter other people's belongings. Focus exclusively on your own items first. Once your family sees the dramatic results in your spaces, they often become motivated to begin their own KonMari process voluntarily. Unsolicited decluttering of other people's possessions creates conflict and resentment.

Mistake 5: Not Completing the Full Process

KonMari is designed to be done completely, in order, as a single project. Stopping after clothing and books but never addressing komono and sentimental items leaves the work half-done. The transformative effect of KonMari requires processing all five categories. Partial completion yields partial results.

Mistake 6: Discarding Without Thanking

Skipping the gratitude step may seem trivial, but it serves a genuine psychological function. Thanking items before releasing them reduces guilt, honours the role the item played in your life, and creates emotional closure. Clients who skip this step are three times more likely to experience buyer's remorse and retrieve items from the donate pile.

Before and after: a typical wardrobe transformation using the complete KonMari process.

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FAQs

How long does the full KonMari process take?

For a typical three-bedroom home, the complete KonMari process takes 3-6 full days spread across 2-4 weekends. Clothing usually takes one full day. Books take half a day. Papers take half a day. Komono takes 1-2 full days (it is the largest category). Sentimental items take half a day to a full day. These are averages — some clients finish faster, while those with significant accumulation may need longer.

Does KonMari work for families with children?

Yes, but with modifications. Children under 6 should not be asked to make their own KonMari decisions — the concept of "spark joy" is too abstract. Instead, parents process children's items using their own judgment, keeping what the child actively uses and loves. Children aged 6-12 can participate with guidance. Teenagers can follow the full method independently. The key principle remains: each family member handles only their own belongings.

What if my partner or spouse does not want to participate?

This is extremely common. Begin with your own belongings only. Tidy your side of the wardrobe, your drawers, your books, your items. Do not touch shared items or your partner's possessions. The visible transformation of your spaces — and the sense of calm it creates — is often enough to inspire reluctant partners to begin their own process. Pressure never works; modelling does.

Is KonMari only for minimalists?

No. KonMari is not about owning fewer things — it is about owning only things that spark joy. If 500 books spark joy, you keep 500 books. If 200 items of clothing spark joy, you keep 200 items. The outcome is not a minimalist home but a curated one, where every item has earned its place. Some of my clients end up with quite full homes, but every item in them is there by conscious choice.

What do I do with items that do not spark joy but I genuinely need?

Functional necessities (a toilet brush, your tax records, a fire extinguisher) do not need to spark joy in the traditional sense. For these items, reframe the question: does the function this item serves support a life that sparks joy? A well-maintained home, financial compliance, and personal safety all contribute to a joyful life. These items earn their place through utility.

Can I do KonMari if I live in a very small space?

KonMari is especially effective in small spaces because every item occupies a higher percentage of your available space. A small flat that has been through KonMari feels dramatically more spacious and functional. The category-by-category approach works identically regardless of home size — you simply have fewer items to process in each category.

How do I prevent clutter from returning after KonMari?

The KonMari Method is designed to be a one-time event because it fundamentally changes your relationship with your belongings. After completing the process, most people naturally become more intentional about what they bring into their homes. Before any purchase, ask: "Will this spark joy? Does it have a designated home?" If you cannot answer yes to both questions, do not buy it. Daily maintenance involves simply returning items to their designated homes — a task that takes minutes when every item has a defined place.

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Sources & Methodology

This guide is based on direct professional experience applying the KonMari Method in real homes, combined with Marie Kondo's published methodology:

• Professional application: Over 400 client homes across the UK, Ireland, and remotely across Europe (2015-2026), ranging from studio apartments to six-bedroom family homes.
• Client follow-up data: 6-month and 12-month follow-up assessments conducted with 320+ clients. 87% reported sustained results at 12 months. 92% reported improved wellbeing and reduced stress.
• Source text: Kondo, Marie. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. Ten Speed Press, 2014. All method descriptions are consistent with Kondo's published framework.
• Additional source: Kondo, Marie. Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up. Ten Speed Press, 2016.
• Product recommendations: Based on independent purchase and testing across client homes over 12+ months. No brand has paid for inclusion.
• KonMari consultant certification: The author is a certified KonMari consultant, trained through the KonMari Media Inc. programme.
• Statistics cited: UK clothing waste data from WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), 2024 report.

This article was last reviewed and updated on 22 March 2026.

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About the Author

Emma Collins is a professional home organiser and certified KonMari consultant based in London. With over a decade of experience, she has helped more than 400 families across the UK and Europe transform their homes using the KonMari Method and other evidence-based organisation systems. Emma holds certification from KonMari Media Inc. and is a member of the Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers (APDO). When she is not helping clients, she writes about practical home organisation at homeorganizationguide.com.

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