Australia’s first graduate of Marie Kondo shares tips!

“Even at a young age, being neat and tidy gave me a sense of relief and calmness. Looking back, I had always understood that having the right objects in your life can make you feel happier and more balanced,” says professional organiser Gemma Quinn, Australia’s first person to be officially trained by the Japanese organisational guru Marie Kondo.

And I don’t know about you but my wardrobe, with its limited space, is a bit of an organisational nightmare so I was keen to glean some wardrobe organisation tips from Gemma after her Kondo immersion. “Using the KonMari Method allows all your items to be visible at once, allowing you to see and enjoy all your clothing and you don’t forget to wear the items you love due to not being able to see them,” says Gemma. I would love to be able to see all of my clothes, shoes and accessories and for the space to ‘spark joy’ and here Gemma, who has teamed up with Freedom Wardrobes, shows us how.

Vertical folding
Given the column inches devoted to the art, the KonMari folding method still remains a little elusive to me but Gemma elucidates. “Using the vertical folding method allows you to see all of your clothes at once, rather than being hidden under layers, and makes for a more efficient use of space,” says Gemma who explains that folding protects delicate clothes from unnecessary damage as some fibres stretch out of shape when hung.

Dirty laundry storage
While doing laundry may not ‘spark joy,’ finding a practical space to store it before washing certainly can. From a chic laundry hamper that matches your décor, to a hanging hamper (yes please!), keeping dirty clothes stylishly out of sight is the goal.

“Once people have tidied their belongings with the KonMari Method, they generally cherish and want to take care of their items; this includes their laundry and not wanting to just throw it on the floor anymore,” says Gemma.

Find the joy
While the KonMari Method prides itself on decluttering, it does also encourage us to include sentimental items in our everyday lives. “For instance, using glass display shelves in a wardrobe allows you to arrange and engage with those items that touch your heart the most. Imagine opening your wardrobe and seeing a photo of a loved one, your favourite perfume or a magical rock given to you by your child.”

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