Preface xi
Introduction: The KonMari Method 1
The six basic rules of tidying 3
Part I | KonMari master tips
1
Honing your sensitivity to joy 13
Tidying is the act of confronting yourself; cleaning is the act of confronting nature 13
If you don’t know what brings you joy, start with things close to your heart 16
“It might come in handy” is taboo 19
For essential things that don’t bring joy, look at what
they do for you 21
Save your cosplay for indoors 24
Don’t confuse temporary clutter with rebound 26
When you feel like quitting 29
The clutter-photo shock treatment 31
No matter how cluttered it looks, don’t pause, don’t stop, don’t quit 33
If you’re terrible at tidying, you’ll experience the most dramatic change 36
2
How to fill your home with joy 39
Imagine your perfect lifestyle from a single photograph 39
Keep items in the gray zone with confidence 41
A joy-filled home is like your own personal
art museum 45
Add color to your life 47
How to make the most of “useless” things that
still spark joy 49
Make your own personal power spot 54
3
Everything you need to know
about storing joyfully 57
During the tidying process, storage is temporary 57
Store by material 60
Pack drawers like a Japanese bento box 62
The four principles of storage 65
Fold clothes like origami 67
Everything you need to know about the
KonMari folding method 69
Plan storage with the idea of getting rid of furniture
used for storing 73
Ideal storage weaves a rainbow in your home 75
Part II | The tidying encyclopedia
4
Tidying clothes 81
Tops 82
Bottoms 92
Dresses and skirts 94
Clothes that hang 96
Socks and stockings 98
Underwear 100
A clothes closet that sparks joy 107
Bags 115
Clothing accessories 115
Shoes 120
Tips for packing a suitcase 122
5
Tidying books 125
Advice for those who think they can’t part
with books 125
Series 127
Magazines and coffee-table books 128
Storing books attractively 129
6
Tidying papers 131
The basic rule for papers: Discard everything 131
Make a pending box 132
Course materials 133
Credit card statements 134
Warranties 134
Manuals 135
Greeting cards 136
Clippings 136
Assign a day to attend to pending items 137
7
Tidying komono 139
CDs and DVDs 141
Stationery supplies 142
Electrical komono 145
Skincare products and cosmetics 147
Relaxation goods 153
Medicines 154
Valuables 154
Sewing kits 158
Tools 158
Hobby komono 159
Collectibles 160
Things you kept “just because” 161
Linen and bedding 161
Towels 162
Stuffed toys 163
Recreational items 166
Seasonal items 166
Emergency supplies 167
Rain gear 167
Kitchen komono 168
Cleaning supplies 208
Laundry supplies 208
Bathroom komono 209
8
Tidying sentimental items 221
Tidying sentimental items means putting
the past in order 221
Putting school memories in order 223
Putting memories of past lovers in order 223
Sentimental recordings 224
Your children’s creations 225
Life records 226
Letters 226
Tidying your photos as the final step in your campaign 227
Part III | Life-changing magic
9
A home that sparks joy 237
An entranceway that sparks joy 237
A living room that sparks joy 239
A kitchen that sparks joy 240
An office that sparks joy 241
A bedroom that sparks joy 242
A bathroom that sparks joy 243
10
The changes that come
when you’re done 245
Tidy up and put your love life in order 249
Tidying brings relationships into focus 251
If your family’s stuff bothers you, be like the sun 253
Don’t force people to tidy if they don’t want to 257
Teach your children how to fold 260
Even if you fail, don’t worry—your house won’t
blow up 262
Things that spark joy soak up precious memories 266
Epilogue 271
Afterword: Preparing for the next stage of your life 275
Acknowledgments 281
About the author 283
Index 285
