When it comes to decluttering and organizing, Marie Kondo is a trusted name worldwide. With the holiday season on the horizon, it’s essential to prepare your home for guests and tackle those areas you've been neglecting.
Although it might feel overwhelming, organizing now will allow you to relax and impress your friends and family as the perfect host.
Marie Kondo has shared her favorite tips for tidying up before welcoming guests on Instagram. Once you’ve completed your cleaning checklist, transforming your space will be easy.
Marie Kondo's Essential Tidying Tips for Hosting
Start with a Joy Check
This principle stems from Kondo's book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, available on Amazon. Tidying doesn’t have to feel like a chore; Kondo's uplifting approach makes it enjoyable. After all, hosting during the holidays should be fun, and a tidy space enhances that experience.
In her Instagram post, Kondo advises, ‘We often become so used to our surroundings that we lose perspective. Walk through your front door as if you’re visiting for the first time. Examine each room with fresh eyes.'
Consider your entryway and living room, focusing on areas where guests will gather. Don’t overlook the powder room, which may be the first stop for guests after travel.
Enhance your space by adding a diffuser or candle in a fresh scent, like the COCORRÍNA Reed Diffuser Set in Clean Linen, available at Amazon. A pleasant scent creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
‘Maybe you’ve shoved items into a closet or piled things you’re unsure about,’ Kondo continues. ‘Now is the time to ask yourself if these items truly spark joy. If not, express gratitude and let them go.’
As Kondo states in her bestselling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, available on Amazon, ‘Organizing your home helps you organize your life,’ which we wholeheartedly agree with.
Consider taking a basket, like the Household Essentials Wicker Basket available at Wayfair, and fill it with items to donate as you tidy.
Clearing out these unnecessary items will create space for loved ones and give your home a breath of fresh air.
Establish a Place for Everything
Determining where items belong is crucial for maintaining order. As you survey your space, take note of anything that’s out of place.
‘This is your chance to pinpoint exactly where each item should go,’ Kondo advises. ‘Simply saying something should stay “around here” is not enough.’
For example, the remote control should be in a designated spot on your side table, pens in a ceramic holder, and mail in a pending box on your desk as part of your home office ideas.
‘To keep your home tidy, everyone living there must know where items are meant to go.’
If something consistently ends up elsewhere, consider implementing a storage solution to accommodate it, a principle of the Desire Path decluttering method.
Maintain a Tidy Kitchen
Keeping your kitchen organized is vital for a welcoming atmosphere. A cluttered kitchen can detract from its warmth, so focus on displaying only your favorite items on the countertops.
‘Anything that can be stored in a drawer or cupboard should be put away,’ Kondo suggests. Keeping the area around the sink clear also simplifies cleaning.
Using a microfiber cloth, like the HOMEXCEL Microfiber Cleaning Cloth available at Amazon, is ideal for achieving streak-free surfaces when paired with Method All-Purpose Cleaner available at Amazon.
Feeling motivated? Explore Marie Kondo's top five tips for decluttering, the KonMari way, and discover common tidying mistakes to avoid. There are many lessons to glean from Kondo's Letter to Japan as well.
