Marie Kondo, the decluttering guru, has redefined organization. Her "Does it spark joy?" approach simplifies decision-making. Keep joyful items, categorize, and store them visibly. Kondo's famous folding technique, inspired by origami, saves space and keeps things neat. An organized space filled with joy transforms your home into a personal paradise. Explore Kondo's tips for a tidy wardrobe and enhance your space with closet organizers and ideas.
Folding T-shirts:
Folding T-shirts the Marie Kondo way is simple and space-saving. Start by laying your shirt face down, ensuring that the front, especially if it has a graphic or logo, is on the outside for easy identification. Avoid folding it in half lengthwise, as this creates a crease down the middle. Instead, fold one side in towards the center, then fold the sleeve back in the opposite direction. Repeat this on the other side. Once you've achieved a long rectangle shape, fold the top of the shirt down towards the hem, leaving a small gap at the bottom. Fold the shirt in half again (possibly into thirds depending on its length) to reinforce its shape. Your result should be a tidy little packet. If it collapses or tips over, it may need some adjustments – either the rectangle is too wide or the folds are too low or high. Experiment until your top can stand upright on its own, a skill Kondo calls the "golden point of folding." Remember, after each fold, gently run your hand over the entire garment before proceeding to the next step. This technique ensures your clothes maintain their shape over time and aligns with Kondo's strategy of maximizing storage space through proper folding.
Folding long sleeved shirts:
Folding a long-sleeve shirt using the KonMari method is straightforward and space-efficient. Lay your shirt on a flat surface with the sleeves extended to the sides. Follow the basic procedure similar to folding a T-shirt, bringing the edges towards the center to create a rectangle. The trick here is to fold the sleeve away from the center of the shirt, typically around the underarm area, and then fold it once more towards the bottom, following the garment's natural line (creating an upside-down L shape). Repeat this process on the opposite side, but stop just short of the edge. The goal is to prevent the sleeves from overlapping, which can add unnecessary bulk.
As you run your hand over the final result, you'll notice there's hardly any noticeable bump where the sleeves are folded, ensuring the garment stays in place without collapsing. Once you have your rectangle, fold it in half from the top down, leaving a slight gap between the neckline and the bottom. Then, fold it again into thirds. Stand it up, and you're finished! For additional tips on folding towels or other items, be sure to explore those as well.
Folding sweaters:
Folding sweaters with the KonMari method requires some flexibility, as not all knits are the same. Marie Kondo's approach acknowledges that attempting to fold thick sweaters or fleece too tightly will cause them to expand with trapped air. To accommodate this, her trick is to fold them relatively loosely from the beginning. If these sweaters don't stand up well in your drawer, it's perfectly acceptable to lay them down instead. This is the only instance where Kondo suggests stacking items on top of each other for storage.
To start, lay your sweater flat on a surface with the front facing up. Visualize a line running down the center, and then fold both sides of the sweater inwards to meet that central line. Fold the sleeves in the same manner you would for a long-sleeve shirt, folding them over and down to create a triangular shape. Ensure that the two sides of the sweater meet in the middle, with the cuffs of the sleeves touching the sweater's hem. Beginning from the top, fold the sweater down into thirds. If it's particularly bulky, you may only need to fold it in half. Here's a pro tip: When storing multiple knits, consider folding the sides in so that all your sweaters have the same width, making them easier to stack.
Folding Hoodies:
Folding a hoodie with Kondo's method isn't an exact science, so some experimentation may be needed for the perfect fit. Start by laying it flat with the front side up, then fold both sides towards the center to form a rectangle. Since hoodies are typically thicker, avoid folding them all the way to the middle line; instead, fold the sides just shy of it. Follow by folding the sleeves similarly to how you'd fold a sweater. Flatten out the hood, ensuring to tuck any drawstrings inside it, and fold it over to fit within the rectangle. This simplifies the shape. Afterward, fold the garment either in half or into thirds, adjusting the number of folds so that it stands upright in your drawer, matching its height. If you're dealing with limited storage space, you can explore these compact closet organization ideas to optimize your area.
Folding Pants:
Folding pants following Marie Kondo's method is a breeze. Here's the rule: fold cotton bottoms (like jeans) and hang more formal ones, such as suit pants or those with a center crease. Start by laying the pants flat with the front side up. Fold them in half lengthwise, with one pant leg on top of the other (make sure the zipper is on the inside). If the seat of the pants sticks out, fold that protruding piece (right around the crotch area) back against the pants to create a straight line. Now, fold the legs up towards the waistband, leaving about a one-inch gap before reaching it. Lastly, fold this in thirds until you have a tidy little package. Place them in a drawer with the waistband facing down, lined up neatly for easy access, just like soldiers in formation.
Folding shorts:
Folding shorts using the KonMari method is a straightforward process. Much like folding pants, it involves only two folds. Here's how:
1. Lay the shorts flat with one leg on top of the other, ensuring that any points sticking out are neatly folded over.
2. Fold the shorts in half, bringing the hem up to meet the waistband.
For shorts with more volume, like wide-leg culottes or wool shorts, it's advisable to start by folding them into thirds. After that, fold them in half again for storage. This method will keep your shorts tidy and organized in your drawers.
Folding Underwear:
Folding underwear using the KonMari method is all about making them as compact as possible. Start with a pair of underwear, back side facing up. Fold them in half lengthwise, bringing the crotch area up to just below the waistband. Then, fold both sides over so that the crotch is neatly tucked inside, forming a square shape. Roll up the underwear from the bottom. When you turn the underwear over, it should resemble a spring roll, with only the front waistband showing. For boxers and briefs, fold both edges toward the middle to create a rectangle shape, then fold the rectangle in half and in thirds. This method will help you keep your underwear organized and maximize storage space.
Folding socks:
When it comes to organizing your sock drawer with the KonMari method, remember not to ball up your socks. Start by placing one sock on top of the other and laying them flat. For low-cut "no-show" socks, a single fold is sufficient. For ankle socks, fold the toes inward about an inch from the top, then fold them over again towards the center and once more in half to make them stand upright. Knee socks and over-the-knee styles should be folded four to six times, depending on their length, to achieve the desired height for your drawer. The key is to create a simple rectangle shape with each sock. By storing your socks on their edge, you'll save space and bid farewell to the days of "potato ball" sock storage.
