Since the recent circumstances have given me some more quality time with my home, I noticed that certain rooms in my house looked extremely organized. I would say that my house has always been fairly organized, but trust me, this was on another level. I decided to take a full tour of the house, checking in every cabinet and under every bed to bask in these changes. Organizing and redecorating is one of my passions; but I had no idea that my parents shared the same interest. After admiring the new and improved master closet, hall closets, and basement, I interrogated my mother on how she did this and who she learned it from. My mom proudly mentioned her new obsession and inspiration: Marie Kondo. Marie Kondo is an organizing queen. Essentially, this woman is a consultant, author, and TV host who shares her organization tips and expertise. After doing some research and binge watching her show (“Tidying Up with Marie Kondo”), I was ready to join my mom and tackle this spring cleaning project: the entire house.
I started with the closet in my room; I felt safe with this being my first project because of the copious amounts of clothing I had in Vera Bradley duffle bags that I desperately wanted to get rid of… I decided that I would unpack my clothing from college while organizing the clothes that were already in the closet. I wanted to pare down; I did not want my room to feel clustered and packed with items. Here’s what Marie Kondo taught me about closet reorganization:
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The first step is to take everything out of the closet. Every shelf, every rod, and every drawer should be empty before beginning. It’s easy to become overwhelmed if the closet is not bare before the organization. I took all of the clothes out of my closet (and out of the duffle bags) and threw them in a huge pile in the center of my room.
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The next step is the paring down process. Marie Kondo emphasizes the idea that if a garment doesn’t bring you joy while looking at it, it should be given away. This process took me quite a long time, but it was extremely helpful. After collecting a giveaway pile, I was able to fit all of my pieces in my closet without it looking overwhelming or cramped.
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She also recommends the use of boxes, especially in drawers. Boxes help to neatly separate groups of items. I had a few drawer organizers from Ikea that I used in my dorm room, so I grabbed those and placed them in the top drawer. My ankle socks, no show socks, tights, and belts fit perfectly, leaving extra room in the drawer for undergarments. Each time I open the drawer, I can clearly see all of my things, allowing me to pick and choose in an organized manner. My parents’ closet has a variety of different sized boxes for accessories, socks, and shoes. My dad’s work shoes are protected from dirt and dust; the boxes are neatly lined underneath his last set of drawers. For me, it is quite pleasing to look at, but I did not go shopping for extra boxes beforehand.
Yasmine Boheas / Unsplash
Overall, this ongoing spring cleaning has been very helpful for me. It has given my mom and I some time to bond and do something together that we both enjoy. Also, it has made my transition back home much more relaxing and easy. My room feels put together, having a balance of old items and items from school. I think it is beneficial to pare down clothes each season. If a garment doesn’t hold attention or importance, it is very nice to donate it to others in need. Marie Kondo has kept me busy, and I am excited to tackle the next part of my room. Paring down and simplifying life is quite refreshing, and I hope this inspires you to take on your own organizational project!