The KonMari method of decluttering and organizing your home has taken the world by storm thanks to Marie Kondo’s popular book and Netflix show. As many embark on the KonMari journey of only keeping possessions that “spark joy”, the kitchen has become a top priority for creating order through tidying.
Why the Kitchen Needs KonMari
The kitchen is the heart of the home and tends to attract clutter quickly. This leads to feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to find items easily. By using the KonMari method to thoroughly tidy the kitchen, it becomes an inviting space bringing joy and ease to cooking and eating.
The basic tenants of the KonMari method applied to the kitchen are:
- Only keep kitchen items that spark joy
- Discard anything that doesn’t
- Thoroughly clean all surfaces and tidy all drawers/cabinets
- Store items smartly so everything has a designated place
Marie Kondo recommends tackling categories like kitchen items together for the most effective tidying. This allows you to assess how much you truly need of plates, cutlery, pans etc.
The KonMari Kitchen Cleanout Step-By-Step
Follow these steps to conduct a KonMari style kitchen cleanout:
1. Remove Everything
This vital first step gives you a blank canvas to work with. Take everything out of the cabinets, drawers and off counters. Pile like items together on the floor or counters.
2. Assess Each Item Individually
Progress category by category and hold each item in your hands to feel if it sparks joy. Be utterly honest – keep only items eliciting true joy, not ambiguous maybes.
3. Discard the Rest
Thank items that don’t spark joy for their service before placing them in donation piles. Resist keeping borderline items “just in case”.
4. Thoroughly Clean Surfaces and Cabinets
With everything out, deep clean inside drawers, cabinets and counter tops. A fresh start in a cleaned space allows everything to remain tidy.
5. Designate a Home For Each Item
Strategically designate places for items you kept. Use drawer organizers, shelves or bins to create “homes” for like items to live together neatly.
6. Put Items in Their Homes
Return joy-sparking items to their assigned homes. Follow the KonMari vertical folding method to neatly store clothes like dish towels.
The Benefits of a KonMari Kitchen
Committing to the full KonMari process for your kitchen offers multiple benefits:
- Less clutter with joyless items removed frees up space
- Efficiency from knowing exactly where everything is
- Tidiness as everything now has a proper place
- Organization with smart storage contains the chaos
- Ease of cleaning and cooking in a streamlined space
- Calmness derived from the orderly environment
The kitchen contains many sentimental items like grandma’s recipes or kids’ artwork. The KonMari method allows you to keep these meaningful possessions while still creating order. A KonMari kitchen provides happiness and functionality.
Maintaining the Calm After KonMari
The hard work of initially tidying your kitchen using the KonMari method pays off through sustained organization and efficiency. Follow these habits to maintain the benefits long-term:
- Put items back in their designated homes after each use
- Conduct quick tidy ups regularly to avoid major cleanouts
- Continue assessing new items against the “joy spark” test
- Designate zones like a junk drawer to corral non-joy items
- Clean as you go while cooking and eating to prevent mess build up
Committing to these simple practices preserves the KonMari kitchen. Items retain their homes, surfaces stay clear, and cleaning is faster without clutter creeping back.
The KonMari approach fundamentally transforms your relationship with possessions. By letting go of what no longer serves you and keeping only joy-sparking items, your kitchen becomes a functional, soothing oasis bringing peace as the heart of your home.
