Colin FosterBy Colin Foster

Updated November 2026

The japanese art of decluttering is a sorting method built on one question: does this item still bring value to your life? Working through it category by category, you will learn to keep what you use and love, let go of the rest, and set up a home where everything has a clear place. The approach is slower than a weekend purge, but the results last.

Understand the Core Principle

The method popularized by Marie Kondo centers on keeping items that spark joy rather than applying rigid rules about quantity. Many people find the phrase too vague at first. A more practical reading is that you keep objects that are useful, that you actively like, or that carry a specific meaning you can name. Everything else goes.

Shopping for one? See our guide: 5 Best Books on Decluttering and Organizings for Every Home (2026).

The other key idea is order. You declutter by category, not by room, and you start with the easiest category and finish with the most sentimental one. This builds the sorting skill you need before you reach harder decisions.

Follow the Category Order

Sort in this sequence: clothing, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous small items), and finally sentimental items. Clothing comes first because most people can make quick decisions about it, and those decisions train the habit. Sentimental items come last because they require the most emotional judgment.

  1. Gather every item in the category from all rooms into one pile.
  2. Pick up each item and ask whether it sparks joy or serves a real purpose.
  3. Keep the items that pass. Thank the ones you are letting go of, then remove them.
  4. Store what remains in a fixed spot, grouped by type.

Handle Clothing Systematically

Pull every piece of clothing you own onto your bed or floor. Hold each item, decide, and place keepers in one stack. Fold or hang what you keep so it is visible at a glance. Many closet organizers find that a single garment hung in the wrong place is the start of a cluttered closet, so store each category together.

Work Through Komono Last Before Sentimental Items

Komono covers kitchen tools, cables, toiletries, office supplies and similar small things. These accumulate quietly, so gather them from every drawer and cabinet. Sorting them as one group reveals duplicates quickly, such as six pairs of scissors or four phone chargers.

Set Up Storage Around What You Keep

Decluttering only lasts if your storage fits what remains. Assign each keeper a home close to where you use it. Use boxes, drawer dividers or small bins to separate categories, and leave some empty space so you can put things back without forcing them. If a space needs constant rearranging to close, you have kept too much.

Checklist and Tools You Need

  • Three bags or boxes labeled keep, donate and discard
  • A timer for 30–60 minute sorting sessions
  • Dividers or small bins for each category
  • A notepad for items you want to decide on later
  • A calendar to schedule each category over several days

Common Mistakes

  • Starting with sentimental items, which leads to stalling and frustration.
  • Decluttering one room at a time, which misses duplicates stored elsewhere.
  • Keeping things “just in case” without a clear reason.
  • Buying organizers before you finish sorting, which locks in clutter.
  • Rushing through a whole category in one sitting when fatigue sets in.
  • Clear stackable drawer organizers: Useful for separating komono into visible groups. View on Amazon
  • Fabric storage bins with handles: Good for sorting donate and keep piles without losing track of items. View on Amazon
  • Drawer dividers, adjustable: Helpful for keeping clothing and small accessories in fixed positions. View on Amazon

For a deeper look at specific methods, see Japanese Way of Decluttering: A Step-by-Step Guide to Keep Only What Matters and Which Japanese Book on Decluttering Should You Read First? A Guide. If you are unsure where to begin, Where to Start When Decluttering Your Home: A Step-by-Step Guide offers a useful starting point, and Why Is Decluttering So Hard? 6 Causes and How to Get Past Them explains common sticking points.

FAQ

Do I have to get rid of everything that does not spark joy?

No. The method is about intentional choices, not a strict purge. Items you need for daily life, such as tax records or a spare fuse, can stay even if they do not feel exciting.

How long does the process usually take?

It depends on how much you own, but many people spread it over several weeks. Working in short sessions and finishing one category before starting the next keeps the work manageable.

What if I feel guilty about discarding gifts?

Thank the item for its purpose, then decide whether keeping it adds value to your life now. You can also photograph sentimental pieces and let the photo carry the memory, which many people find easier.

Conclusion

The japanese art of decluttering works best when you sort by category, keep only what adds value, and store what remains in a clear, fixed place. Start small, take it one category at a time, and resist the urge to buy organizers too early. Over time, your home will hold only what you actually want.

Ready to choose one?

Colin Foster

About Colin Foster

Colin Foster is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our home organization guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.