Home & Garden, Lifestyle, Tips & Tricks
How to KonMari Your Home On a Budget
By now, most people have heard of Marie Kondo and her incredibly popular organization methods. Affectionately known as “KonMari-ing,” this style of organization teaches people to only keep items that truly bring them joy. If you’re new to the practice, you may be wondering where to start. You might also be wondering how to KonMari your home without breaking the bank. Below, I’ve outlined some Marie Kondo tips to help you along your journey to a clutter-free life.
Begin with the book that started it all
Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story is the one that started the global craze. It’s best to learn from the master herself. The book is affordable on its own, but you can purchase it with Rakuten and get Cash Back to kick things off on a budget.
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story
Consult free resources
There are plenty of KonMari consultants out there, but you can get helpful tips and tricks from just about everywhere – if you know where to look. There are countless Marie Kondo-inspired blogs, Facebook groups and even free resources from Marie herself.
Get organized with what you have
If you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to use what you already have on hand to get organized. You don’t need to invest in fancy containers to get the job done. Save shoe boxes, small containers, shipping boxes and the like. These will all come in handy once you’ve identified the items that spark joy in your life. Shoe boxes are perfect for closet organizing, and I’ve found that extra plastic containers from your kitchen make for great drawer separators for underwear, socks and jewelry.
Shop smart if you do need extras
If you do end up needing organizational items beyond you already have, check out these stores for some of our top picks for tidying up.
Marie Kondo’s website is a great starting place for organizational items that spark joy. She has a wide selection of beautiful and functional items to choose from like containers, baskets, totes and more. My pick is this small storage basket by Yamazaki. The stark white paint with the ash wood handles make it a striking addition for your living room, laundry room or really anywhere you need simple, elegant storage.
The Container Store is a treasure trove for organizers. I personally love their collection of clear storage options from The Home Edit. There’s a little something for every room in your home, but I’m drawn to these large clear drawers, which would make organizing a closet a breeze. You could place shoes, shirts, pants, sweaters and more in these functional and modern totes.
OXO is a leader in form and function when it comes to home goods. It’s my personal opinion that you can never have too many OXO items. Case and point: OXO’s 5-piece POP Container Set. We use these containers for everything in our kitchen including coffee, tea, pasta, baking supplies and more. They lock when you press the button on top to seal in freshness and prevent spills. They also just look great. It sparks a little joy in my life to see our pantry so organized.
Bargain Junkie is a deal-lover’s dream. It’s full of quality, discounted goods for every part of your space. I scoured the site, and I have to say that this shoe organizer would be my first pick. You don’t really realize just how many shoes you have until you start going through them. This would be great for inside a closet or even out on its own thanks to the optional “door” on the front.
These stores are all great starting places, and you can try searching Rakuten by the item you’re looking for to shop hundreds if not thousands of items. Remember that you can get In-Store Cash Back as well. Just link a credit or debit card to your account to save.
Use Rakuten if you’re searching for new items that spark joy
Overall, your goal is to declutter and focus on the things that are most important to you, but that doesn’t mean you won’t part ways with some of the items you’ve saved. You never know if they’ll continue to spark joy down the road. If you find yourself on the hunt for something new, be sure to use Rakuten. You never know what you might find, and you’ll earn Cash Back while you shop.
If you’re not a member, now is the time to join. It’s easy and free. If you have a friend who’s into KonMari-ing with you, send them a referral link. You’ll earn $25 and they’ll earn $10 when they spend their first $25 with Rakuten. Happy decluttering!
Join The Conversation