You may remember when Japanese organizing guru Marie Kondo took the decluttering world by storm with her 2019 Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. Or, you might have even read her book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, where she introduced the KonMari method, her signature program for decluttering.
Maybe you’ve even used the Marie Kondo KonMari method to clean and organize your home. But have you ever considered applying it to your storage unit? .
The good news is that, with a little tweaking, you can apply the KonMari method steps to your storage unit and make sure it doesn’t become your secret backup site for the things you truly no longer need in your life.
What Is the KonMari Method? A Quick Refresher?
The central idea of the KonMari method is to only keep items that “spark joy” in your life. If a specific possession doesn’t truly add value, then it no longer belongs in your home (or storage unit).
Unlike traditional organizational methods that tackle one room at a time, the KonMari method takes a category-based approach, asking you to work through similar items all at once, regardless of where they’re stored. For example, the method would recommend that you go through all your books at the same time, even if you have bookshelves in different parts of your home.
At its heart, the Marie Kondo KonMari method is about more than just tidying up. It’s about making decisive choices about what deserves a place in your life. By focusing on joy rather than utility alone, you’ll find yourself naturally gravitating toward a more intentional lifestyle.
The KonMari Method Steps: From Clutter to Calm
The key to the KonMari method is to assess your possessions one at a time by category. In her book and Netflix series, Marie Kondo lays out five primary categories, which she suggests you tackle in order. Remember, for each item you want to ask yourself, “Does this spark joy for me?”
- Clothes: Open up your closets and drawers and start your decluttering journey with your clothes. This category includes shoes, accessories, and seasonal wear. Gather every piece of clothing and sort through them individually.
- Books: Next, move on to books, magazines, manuals, and any other reading materials. Decluttering in this category can often show you how your interests have changed over time.
- Papers: Tackle documents, files, warranties, old bills, and paperwork. Discard what you don’t need and consider digitizing items you want to keep around but don’t need in physical form.
- Komono: This catch-all or miscellaneous category includes everything else, from kitchen items to cleaning supplies, decorations, electronics, office supplies, and tools. Give yourself plenty of time with the komono category. It’s often the largest and most challenging.
- Sentimental items: Save this category for last so you can hone your joy-detection skills with the other categories and make decisive choices about photos, letters, souvenirs, and heirlooms.
Adapting KonMari for a Storage Unit
While the KonMari method was originally designed for homes, its principles can be applied just as effectively to storage units with some slight adjustments.
First, gather your storage unit items into a central area. You may need to move around a couple of items first to create an open area for this process.
Next, divide your items into categories. You can choose to stick with Marie Kondo’s five central categories or create your own storage-specific categories, such as:
- Seasonal decorations and holiday items
- Furniture and large household items
- Sports and recreational equipment
- Keepsakes and memory boxes
- Business or work-related materials
From here, you can follow the typical KonMari method steps. Work through one category at a time and decide whether each item sparks joy or not. The KonMari method helps you finally make decisions on those limbo items that didn’t quite make the cut for staying in your home, but you weren’t ready to discard. If something has been in storage for years without you missing it, you’re probably safe letting it go.
Your KonMari Method Checklist
Ready to transform your storage unit using the KonMari method? This KonMari Method checklist will keep you on track as you work through each category. Print it out or save it to your phone so you can check off each step as you progress through your decluttering journey.
KonMari Method Checklist for Storage Units
Preparation
- Clear a central sorting area in your storage unit
- Bring supplies: trash bags, donation boxes, cleaning supplies
- Set aside enough time (usually 3 to 4 hours minimum)
- Bring water and snacks to keep up your energy
Category 1: Clothes
- Gather all clothing items from every box and corner
- Hold each item and ask: “Does this spark joy?”
- Create “keep,” “donate,” and “discard” piles
- Fold and organize the clothes you’re keeping using the KonMari folding method
Category 2: Books
- Collect all books, magazines, and reading materials
- Handle each item individually
- Consider whether you’ll realistically read or reference the item again
- Thank the books you’re releasing for their service
Category 3: Papers
- Gather all documents, files, and paperwork
- Discard outdated documents
- Digitize important papers when possible
- Organize remaining papers in clearly labeled containers
Category 4: Komono (Miscellaneous)
- Gather all the rest of the items in your storage unit, like electronics, tools, and decor
- Group similar items together
- Test electronics to ensure they work
- Apply the “sparks joy” test to each item
Category 5: Sentimental Items
- Gather photos, letters, and keepsakes
- Take time to assess each item
- Trust your joy-detection skills developed through the previous categories
- Properly store the items you’re keeping
Final Steps
- Organize all the items you’re keeping into clearly labeled, accessible containers
- Create an inventory list of what stays in storage
- Schedule a donation pickup or drop-off
- Celebrate your accomplishment!
Turn Your Storage Unit into a Space that Sparks Joy
Applying the KonMari method to your storage unit isn’t just about creating a more organized space. It’s also about reconnecting with your belongings and making intentional choices about what deserves a place in your life. By following the KonMari method steps and using our KonMari method checklist, you’ll transform a cluttered storage unit into a purposeful, joyful space.
Ready to put the KonMari method into action? Price Self StorageⓇ makes it easy. Our wide drive aisles, courtesy carts, and convenient access hours give you the space and tools you need to successfully declutter.
Find a Price Self Storage location near you today.
