(Part 2) Top products from r/konmari

For reference, discarding took about 4.5 months in my 1400 sq foot home and two storage sheds. I have started working on deep cleaning, upgrading necessary yet ugly items, and storage/organizing. I expect this to take another two months. I am watching "Clean My Space" and "Home Organizing by Alejandra.tv" channels on YouTube now to help with the process.

I am trying to keep in mind getting products out of original packaging, if possible, to limit exposure to constant advertising in my home. I am choosing to spend quite a bit on higher quality products that I love and expect to last many years. Fortunately, I have a budget that allows for some luxuries.

Bedroom

I started with my closet and these great baskets from the container store http://www.containerstore.com/s/whitewash-rattan-bins/d?productId=10037633&q=Large%20Rattan%20Bin%20Whitewash. The closet has a built in shoe organizer and I used my label maker to indicate what style shoes go on which shelf – heels, sandals, sneakers, flats and boots. I also labeled the shelf for each basket. Clothes hangers are all white. They used to be all kinds of colors, and I realized that white is more calming. I am now using these for my socks and undies since konmari folding did not quite work for me on those items http://www.amazon.com/MIU-COLOR-Collapsible-Underwear-Organizer/dp/B009A3HTXY. The folding works great for most of my other clothes. I am still pondering how to organize the nightstand drawers.

Kitchen

I bought a couple of 10" bamboo lazy susans for keeping my oils and vinegars organized in my cabinets. I bought some refrigerator organization units from InterDesign and the Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce savers. I intend to get Oxo food storage containers for dry goods.
I upgraded to these measuring spoons http://www.amazon.com/Cuisipro-Stainless-Steel-Measuring-Spoon/dp/B00004SU1I and these measuring cups http://www.amazon.com/Sagler-Measuring-Piece-Heavy-duty-Stainless/dp/B00V5EFWTO.

When I was discarding in my kitchen I found I did not really love my dinnerware so I got this set http://www.amazon.com/Corelle-Coordinates-18-Piece-Dinnerware-Service/dp/B00R790CLY plus matching lunch sized plates. I love the simple clean lines and the durability of the product. I downsized from a 12 person setting to 6 and it is great.

Bath

Have not done much here yet. I don’t have much need for storage organization in the cabinets. Still considering what I want to do with the drawers. Right now the drawers are still organized with small cardboard boxes from Glossybox, a cut down cereal box, and an empty jigsaw puzzle box. I upgraded my plunger and brush to nice stainless steel containers, and got a toilet paper holder that matches them http://www.amazon.com/Home-Basics-Vented-Stainless-Toilet/dp/B00JB20IDW.

Laundry

I replaced my bulky plastic basket with this http://www.amazon.com/Bajer-Design-Marketing-5234-Basket/dp/B0010KZCFC. It now hangs on a Command Hook next to the washer.

Car

I have repacked the car kit and 72 hour emergency kits in these for my car and my son's car. ttp://www.amazon.com/TrunkCratePro-Best-Premium-Trunk-Organizer/dp/B01AHK0J9Y. We live in an area prone to natural disasters so I like to be prepared wherever we are. I bought a car trash container (http://www.amazon.com/Highland-1932600-Car-Trash-Keeper/dp/B0027QWNGO) and created a little kit in a ziplock bag in the glovebox with essentials. Also, found tissues in a round container that fits perfectly in the door cup holder. I also bought a set of matching reusable grocery bags (http://www.amazon.com/ReBagMe-Reusable-Grocery-Reinforced-Handles/dp/B00Y17OIR4) so I don’t have the mismatched set. Finally, I have these on order (http://www.amazon.com/Car-Hammer-Seatbelt-Emergency-Must-Have/dp/B00CB8WM2S). Not organization related, just something I have been thinking that I needed for safety.

Purse

I reassessed what is in my purse. I used a couple small cosmetics bags that I had on hand and now have many things I wished I had at various times. Everything is neatly organized and I know exactly what is in there and why I have it. Everything from safety pins, to pen and notebook (http://www.amazon.com/Marble-Composition-Books-Notebooks-Green/dp/B00WRDIS9I), to a tiny flashlight, a granola bar in case I am out and hungry, a tide stain remover pen, a tiny Band-Aid package, tiny measuring tape (http://www.amazon.com/Stanley-33-115-10-Foot-4-Inch-PowerLock/dp/B00009OYGH), my phone, my wallet, and my keys are always on the little hook. Not exactly Konmari minimalism, but those are all things that I wished I had at various times and I am happy that I will not be caught without again. It is a medium size purse, packed just right, with stuff easily accessible.

Home office

I have not done much there yet, but this drawer organizer is working pretty well http://www.amazon.com/Rolodex-Regeneration-Deep-Drawer-Organizer-21864/dp/B002JG48R4.

Command center

I am currently working on a “Command Center” to keep clutter off the kitchen counter. I have not purchased anything for that yet. I am writing down ideas, measuring, and considering products. http://thehappyhousie.porch.com/20-fabulous-command-centers-to-get-your-life-completely-organized/

Other random stuff:

I moved my CDs into a holder http://www.amazon.com/Case-Logic-DVDW-92-Capacity-Classic/dp/B00005ATMD and they now live on a Command Hook in my car. For movies I transferred them to these Sleeves http://www.amazon.com/Atlantic-74604729-Movie-Sleeves/dp/B002JR2V7C and they now live in a small drawer in my living room. I tossed the packaging because it was bulky and does not give me joy.

I am using these in my linen closet http://www.amazon.com/Honey-Can-Do-STO-02986-Nested-Woven-Esspresso. This box for my jewelry http://www.amazon.com/Black-Leather-Jewelry-Travel-Case/dp/B0006JCGUM.

Not related to organizing, but I am loving these brushes for getting tiny spaces clean. So much better than an old toothbrush. http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Good-Grips-Clean-Brush/dp/B003M8GMS6

If you made it this far, congrats. Something that I have noticed is that I can now shop with confidence, I can easily toss or donate the old unloved items, and I am organized enough to return those few items that don’t work as well as I hoped. My home feels much more open and inviting. I know where everything is and my clear vision is starting to come to fruition.

So for wall mounted TVs I recommend a cable raceway (similar to this) to disguise the cable on the wall. You can adhere to the wall with command strips or other double-stick.

You can also use this for the lamp cord. I recommend moving the lamp closer to the wall. If there is excess cord, you can often feed it back into the lamp base. If your lamp base doesn't have a bottom, you can neatly (and gently) coil (DO NOT CREASE) the excess cord and secure with cable ties (I like this stuff because it only takes a little, and it's repositionable, unlike zip-ties).

As far as the power brick and excess cord to the wall...I would recommend placing an entertainment center (games????) OR some kind of decorative something that sparks JOY! Maybe something that can function as storage for something you need in the room, but don't want laying about (remote controls, etc).

Pro-tip: it may be tempting to pull cords SUPER tight, but keep a little slack to ensure the cable isn't being bent at the connectors.

Good luck, and please share your end solution with us!

I live in New Orleans and am a member of two Mardi Gras krewes, one of which involves decorating shoes to be thrown to crowds with lots and lots and lots of glitter and the other of which requires lots of costumes. What I'm saying is, I feel your pain. I mean, I have an entire bin of nothing but wigs. I wound up with a sturdy portable closet that has a linen cover on it that looks pretty nice for all the costume stuff so it's really away when I don't need it. I created a craft nook sort of place and organized all those supplies nicely with the really bulky stuff all under the daybed in my guest room. Still working on it all, but my theory is if it's organized, out of the way, and needed for hobbies that I'm actively participating in and enjoying, it stays.

Engage your kids. Now that clothes are done gather all the books and divide them by kid and sit with each one and ask if they want to give it a home on their shelf or give it to a kid who would like it more or be more age appropriate for. My 7 year old doesn't need the baby books any more so she purged those along with those with topics that don't interest her any more.

We did stuffed animals after clothes and she got rid of 50%. The big thing for her is that I remind her that if she keeps it, it needs to have a home in her room, not just piled in the corner or in a tub. She will pick the "easy" items first, those she knows bring joy. Then the shelf is full and she isn't interested in making a "home" for what remains and is okay with putting them in the to-go bag.

We preserved the Legos and Playomobil (two or three sets total) and she sorted through the rest of the toys, mostly Happy Meal quality small plastic crap and old crafts. After she selected the good stuff she was ready to move on and I told her we had to finish but she was allowed to decide that the rest could "move on". She picked out three more small items, said the rest could go and went off to play with friends. I put the rest in a trash bag and put that out of sight (so she can't go back). So far no complaints, just lots of positive attention from visitors for having such a peaceful and tidy room. Still plenty of books and trinkets but with room to breathe.

Edit: also this book, Simplicity Parenting, address the obwervation you made: being overwhelmed by too many toys.

You should really read 168 Hours by Laura Vanderkam . It has great worksheets and questions to help you clarify your time to what you really want. I truly consider it a KonMari type book for your schedule. Good luck!

Pare it down. Good cooks don't really need a "wide variety" of implements and tools. You can make great food with very few tools. Especially if you love to cook (as do I), you should rise to the challenge. Pare down the silverware too. Just minimize the entire kitchen.

Check out The Itty Bitty Kitchen Handbook for ideas. Rachel Khoo moved to Paris to go to culinary school and was cooking up five-course French meals in her kitchen that consisted of something like one hot plate and a college size fridge.

I feel you!!

Actually, I have a big kitchen in terms of square footage, but zero storage space. Basically a big room with a double sink, fridge, and stove lol. And kitchen clutter drives me nuts, but my husband is a serious cook and we have an amazingly well-stocked kitchen.

I've had to basically use various freestanding items for counter space and storage. Perhaps the most impactful item that I think would be good for you is a tall shelf for pots n pans. Something like this from Amazon. (Mine is from the thrift store and made of wood, but served the same purpose of holding big heavy pots and pans).

After finding 5 big thrift store items to try to make my kitchen usable, I then bought a few things full price. I did this because I wanted things with very specific measurements to make the most of the remaining space!

I still have no drawers or cabinets with doors, just lots of open shelving.

I sew, so I plan to make some curtains to cover at least some of my open shelving at some point. That will help with the overwhelmed feeling I think.

I made the switch over to clear containers after dealing with pantry moths. Got a bunch of these and I couldn't be happier with them. They keep things from going stale (great for my household, where we usually ended up tossing 75% of each box of cereal because we just don't eat it that often), my pantry looks neat, and I can see at a glance what I do and don't have. They aren't cheap, but if they fall within your budget, I'd definitely recommend them.

not quite what you are talking about but cool with regard to "stuff" and what people around the world own ... or what might own them

this book has people remove everything from their dwelling and display / arrange it all in front of their home

fascinating to see the differences in what we own in all the different places around the world

https://www.amazon.ca/Material-World-Global-Family-Portrait/dp/0871564300

It's mostly newsboy hats? Could you fold them and put them in a box on a shelf, or in a drawer, so he can easily see which hats are in it and choose one? My husband only wears winter hats so I'm not experienced in other styles, but that's how I stored our winter hats. It sounds like your husband has higher quality hats so I'm not sure if nice ones can be folded the way cheap ones can. Or maybe try a wire rack, like this and set it upright, if the hats can't be folded.

She loosely follows Shintō.

Edit: I do not practice Shintō but did like this book on it: https://www.amazon.com/Essence-Shinto-Japans-Spiritual-Heart/dp/1568364377/ref=nodl_

The book 'The Happiness Trap' helped me. It was recommended by a psychologist. There is a illustrated version, too. https://www.amazon.com/Happiness-Trap-Struggling-Start-Living/dp/1590305841

https://www.amazon.com/Courage-Be-Disliked-Phenomenon-Happiness/dp/1501197274

A bit awkward in its writing/translation like Marie's books, but it's worth it.

Edit: I just scrolled down to the product description on that page and the first thing it mentions (!): “Marie Kondo, but for your brain.” —HelloGiggles

I just finished "Stuff", a book about hoarding. It gave me some perspective about why people hoard, and some treatment plans therapists have used effectively.

I really recommend the side track home executive system for people with depression and anxiety. It’s a very simple system to start and it teaches you how to look at your life in small doable increments. Sidetracked Home Executives(TM): From Pigpen to Paradise https://www.amazon.com/dp/0446677671/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_GsQ3Cb01PE0SM

Is there any reason you couldn't use a pot rack like this? I've always wanted one but don't have the ceiling for it!

I have a very curious cat, and I also have some sentimental, breakable items that I'd like to keep in once piece, but also have out on shelves. I invested in some museum putty, and every single thing in my home that isn't food has survived his antics. https://www.amazon.com/Quakehold-88111-Museum-Putty-Neutral/dp/B0002VA9NA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493008406&sr=8-1&keywords=quakehold

Konmari is a nickname for Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up -- here's a link to purchase the book on Amazon (or check your local library!). She has a second book called Spark Joy but you're meant to read TLCMOTU first because you need to reduce the amount of things you have before deciding how to store and organize it (which is what the second book covers).

Here!