Marie Kondo's one-brand approach
By Nick Gerhardt, The Family Handyman
When decluttering expert Marie Kondo shares pearls of wisdom on organizing the kitchen, we stop and listen. Of course, we're not the only ones! Her Netflix series, Tidying Up With Marie Kondo, is taking the internet by storm, as did her best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. When Marie revealed that Noda Horo's enamel containers are her favorite storage items, we immediately set down our old plastic storage containers and took note. Not a moment too soon, because once the world got wind of Marie's affection for enamel, a retail rush ensued. It left some retailers out of stock and consumers feared they might be out of luck.If you're wondering why Marie is talking up Noda Horo in particular, it's because it's a brand she believes in. Marie believes in using the same brand for all food storage, which fosters more efficient storage of the actual containers.
Bamboo Drawer Organizer
Bamboo drawer organizer ($35): This drawer organizer is expandable and adjustable. Even though it'll be hidden away in a drawer, it's beautiful and will encourage you to keep your drawers tidy.
Plastic Silverware Tray
Plastic silverware tray ($8): For just a few bucks, you can still keep your drawers tidy. Plus the rubberized liner will keep everything in place.
Mason Jar Set
Mason jar set ($16): If you keep your cutlery out in the open, opt for cute containers to keep things organized.
Woven Storage Baskets
A set of woven baskets is great for grouping together similar things. And for items that seem to get messed up a lot, or strewn everywhere, these baskets give those items a permanent home. Woven baskets are also design-friendly, so they won't look out of place if you want to store items in plain sight in your living room or entryway.
Foldable Drawer Dividers
Keeping your undies, socks and other smaller items nice and tidy can be difficult. These foldable drawer dividers allow you to neatly store such items, even putting them in a gradient color order to help you tell what's what. These dividers feature a removable side panel and bottom zipper, so you can assemble them easily and fold them flat when not in use.
Clear Stackable Storage Bins
A set of clear, stackable storage bins can be used with great success for everything from pantry items to clothing. Keep clothing folded one item on top of the other, or side-by-side, to best view what's in the bin, and for pantry items, be sure everything sits upright.
Categorized Storage Areas
On Marie Kondo's TV show, 'Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,' she discusses the issue of dual-clutter. Create categorized areas for different needs. For instance, the dog's essentials shouldn't be mixed into a basket with your shoes, hats and gloves. Reduce the amount of time you waste looking for pet-related items by installing a wall-mounted organizer near the door, where the leash, treats and more can be stored.
Magazine Boxes
Keep paper files you need to access regularly in discreet magazine organizer boxes. It'll keep you from losing important paperwork, while ensuring your desk remains free of pending, important and miscellaneous papers.
Three-Section Plastic Pantry Storage Bins
To keep smaller items in your pantry from becoming clutter and causing you to constantly tidy up, Marie Kondo suggests implementing three-section pantry storage bins. Using clear bins allows you to immediately see what each organizer holds, so you don't have to rearrange everything when you pull them out. These can also be used to keep things tidy in the refrigerator and freezer.
Drawer Organizers for Cutlery and Misc.
Cutlery, wine openers, chip clips and other kitchen essentials that are small enough to fit together in one drawer can easily get jumbled up and create one big mess! Keep things tidy by implementing mix-and-match drawer organizers and dividers for customized modular storage.
Space-Saving Shelf
Marie Kondo suggests using a versatile, small space-saving shelf to help you maximize the space in large cabinets and on shelves. For instance, a cabinet with an abundance of vertical space could be divided by using a small shelf for stacking with some items resting on the top and others below.
Clear Plastic Vanity Organizers
Hair ties, makeup brushes, nail clippers and more can make a tangled mess in a drawer. Keep like items together by using modular organizers. With these organizers, you can customize any drawer with two each of the following: 3 inch x 3 inch, 6 inch x 3 inch, and 9 inch x 3 inch nesting and sliding compartments.
Statement Storage
Being organized doesn't mean you have to own a mountain of clear, plastic storage containers. There are plenty of opportunities to implement your personal style, like using a leaning bookshelf where you keep books that inspire you on one shelf and other items that spark joy on another.
Stylized Racks
For people with a major shoe collection, Marie Kondo suggests putting the pairs that spark joy on display, perhaps on a rack like this. Think about color, shape, brand, year, etc., when choosing your favorites.
Patterned Tin Trinket Box
Marie Kondo calls the tidying process 'a unique opportunity to understand what is most important in one's life.' So, when it comes to tidying up, let go of the idea that you have to toss everything. 'Focus on what you want to keep and how you want to store them, not what you want to eliminate,' Kondo suggests. Before you toss sentimental belongings like photos, jewelry and mementos, try placing them upright inside a patterned tin box, and place the box on a statement shelf.
Clothes Storage System
Marie Kondo encourages storing your stuff with purpose. So, as you work to reduce closet clutter, you don't have to throw everything out but only keep the things that you actually wear in your closet.
Felt Baskets
Marie Kondo suggests using the 'bag-in-bag' method for investment pieces like expensive handbags.
Cube Storage Boxes
Marie Kondo knows just how much kids' toys can mess up an otherwise tidy room, so she suggests dividing toys into categories, like building blocks and plush. Try placing like items in different storage cubes. They're an attractive solution for keeping things tidy and kids can be reminded to put their plush toys in the yellow cube and their blocks in the blue cube!
