KonMari Accessories?
December 11, 2019 7:54 AM Subscribe
A friend has requested a KonMari method starter kit as a gift. Help me choose some organizational accessories to include!
Obviously I will purchase the book, but I am wondering: if you read the book or watched Marie Kondo's show, what organizational accessories did you immediately run out and purchase? What do you still use and love?
Thank you!
Obviously I will purchase the book, but I am wondering: if you read the book or watched Marie Kondo's show, what organizational accessories did you immediately run out and purchase? What do you still use and love?
Thank you!
https://kit.co/jessjtsai/konmari-starter-kit-life-changing-magic-of-tidying-up
posted by TestamentToGrace at 8:04 AM on December 11, 2019
posted by TestamentToGrace at 8:04 AM on December 11, 2019
Boxes to bring things to goodwill
posted by raccoon409 at 8:10 AM on December 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
posted by raccoon409 at 8:10 AM on December 11, 2019 [8 favorites]
Honestly, just the book + a huge box of trash bags. Every single person I've watched undertake the process (myself included) already had a huge surplus of organizational accessories left over after they finished going through their things, and most ended up actually getting rid of those to boot (lots of empty Rubbermaid tubs, shelf bins, stuff like that).
posted by anderjen at 8:15 AM on December 11, 2019 [26 favorites]
posted by anderjen at 8:15 AM on December 11, 2019 [26 favorites]
The book, trash bags, a coupon to pick up things to take to recycling or donation center, a really good bar of chocolate.
ETA: a listing of all local donation centers and which ones do pickups and what they are best for would be super handy, too.
posted by amanda at 8:23 AM on December 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
ETA: a listing of all local donation centers and which ones do pickups and what they are best for would be super handy, too.
posted by amanda at 8:23 AM on December 11, 2019 [11 favorites]
Gas gift card for those Goodwill trips, or ride vouchers if they don't drive. Maybe a drop-cloth to lay out on their floor/bed if they have pets whose fur might make them want to stop and clean before sorting. Maybe.
After they read the book, any physical items you've given them other than those of the near-disposable and highly useful variety will (hopefully) be understood as More Clutter. The odds that a generic storage container you choose will truly "spark joy" are low, and I completely agree with the author's advice to only purchase storage items after the "tidying" (purging) is done anyway. Even if it's obvious that, say, a stuffed-full closet will need a shelving system eventually, now is not the time to be buying that because having places to tuck excess items away only encourages keeping them.
posted by teremala at 8:32 AM on December 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
After they read the book, any physical items you've given them other than those of the near-disposable and highly useful variety will (hopefully) be understood as More Clutter. The odds that a generic storage container you choose will truly "spark joy" are low, and I completely agree with the author's advice to only purchase storage items after the "tidying" (purging) is done anyway. Even if it's obvious that, say, a stuffed-full closet will need a shelving system eventually, now is not the time to be buying that because having places to tuck excess items away only encourages keeping them.
posted by teremala at 8:32 AM on December 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
Snacks & a motivating playlist?
posted by deludingmyself at 8:36 AM on December 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by deludingmyself at 8:36 AM on December 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
nth-ing that Kondo specifically advises against buying items for this purpose. For me, the ideal "starter kit" would be the book plus items that might help your friend feel like they're getting a fresh start. Kondo talks a lot about the role of the senses in helping feel a sense of renewal in your space. So... a candle with a scent they love? Sage smudge sticks? An item that makes a pleasing sound, like a wind chime, meditation chime, or singing bowl?
posted by capricorn at 8:38 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by capricorn at 8:38 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
If the book itself doesn't seem fun enough, I recommend the manga. It's really cute and is kind of a condensed version of the ideas in the book, with a lightweight story to go with. Additional gift idea to go with the manga would be apple pie.
posted by asperity at 8:38 AM on December 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by asperity at 8:38 AM on December 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
Well, Marie Kondo has recently expanded her brand to sell Konmari organizational accessories and housewares ... but nthing everyone else who pointed out that her *book* says to do the tidying first, *then* figure out if you still need additional organizational accessories afterwards. So the book, trash bags, a sharpie for labeling, and then a gift card for the Konmari shop (or something like The Container Store)?
posted by Pandora Kouti at 8:45 AM on December 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
posted by Pandora Kouti at 8:45 AM on December 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
Seconding the manga version, it was a really fun read (coming from someone relatively new to manga)!
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 9:06 AM on December 11, 2019
posted by Goblin Barbarian at 9:06 AM on December 11, 2019
Snacks & a motivating playlist?
The latter is a good idea for a conventional declutter/cleaning project, but Kondo advises only ambient noise because anything else will interfere with decision making. I did KM to the absolute letter, and I agree with this.
I had tons of leftover storage containers after my festival (as they are called).
Based on my experience, I'd get them
- a good water bottle if they don't have one,
- some bankers boxes (unlike bags they stay open and can be covered when done),
- all three books (TLCMOTU, Spark Joy [my favorite], and the manga),
- a dust mask,
- bandaids (paper cuts),
- a small notebook (some journal their experience; I listed my stuff as I went through it),
- and, frankly, some Pepto Bismo. (Kondo notes that people who do a KM festival have their skin break out and develop digestive issues, and this happened with me and others in my Facebook groups.)
Gift cards for meals would be very good, trust me.
posted by jgirl at 9:12 AM on December 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
The latter is a good idea for a conventional declutter/cleaning project, but Kondo advises only ambient noise because anything else will interfere with decision making. I did KM to the absolute letter, and I agree with this.
I had tons of leftover storage containers after my festival (as they are called).
Based on my experience, I'd get them
- a good water bottle if they don't have one,
- some bankers boxes (unlike bags they stay open and can be covered when done),
- all three books (TLCMOTU, Spark Joy [my favorite], and the manga),
- a dust mask,
- bandaids (paper cuts),
- a small notebook (some journal their experience; I listed my stuff as I went through it),
- and, frankly, some Pepto Bismo. (Kondo notes that people who do a KM festival have their skin break out and develop digestive issues, and this happened with me and others in my Facebook groups.)
Gift cards for meals would be very good, trust me.
posted by jgirl at 9:12 AM on December 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
I will add that none of what I listed sounds very gift-like (except the water bottle), but you are facilitating their self-gift of a changed life.
Seriously. Do KM right and be amazed!
posted by jgirl at 9:15 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Seriously. Do KM right and be amazed!
posted by jgirl at 9:15 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
A ThredUp bag to consign clothing. Clothes that are accepted will be re-sold instead of donated (which can contribute to the trash cycle more quickly), and she will get a small amount of money on whatever clothes the site sells for her. I have like $20 in credits using this business, and I plan on putting it towards a nice gift to myself that "Sparks joy" while adding practical value to my life, such as a wool hat or other useful outerwear.
posted by erattacorrige at 9:20 AM on December 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
posted by erattacorrige at 9:20 AM on December 11, 2019 [4 favorites]
+1 don't buy stuff besides the book, I bought nothing for storage after KM.
Certificate for house cleaning after they're done?
The first exercise in the book is envisioning your ideal life, maybe you could do that together and plan a hangout together that matches your friend's goals? Or read the book together so you can offer advice/support?
posted by momus_window at 9:26 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Certificate for house cleaning after they're done?
The first exercise in the book is envisioning your ideal life, maybe you could do that together and plan a hangout together that matches your friend's goals? Or read the book together so you can offer advice/support?
posted by momus_window at 9:26 AM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Banana boxes from the grocery are great for someplace to put the stuff going to a thrift shop.
Several sharpies, several rolls of masking tape to label boxes for Goodwill, Friend, Animal shelter, books, etc. A very few used book stores pay for used books.
A few microbe cloths for cleaning
Swifter dusters. They are labeled disposable but can be washed and re-used.
Lively music - mix cd, playlist
Bottle of wine.
Offer to drive stuff to the thrift shop, that really helps her the job done.
posted by theora55 at 10:02 AM on December 11, 2019
Several sharpies, several rolls of masking tape to label boxes for Goodwill, Friend, Animal shelter, books, etc. A very few used book stores pay for used books.
A few microbe cloths for cleaning
Swifter dusters. They are labeled disposable but can be washed and re-used.
Lively music - mix cd, playlist
Bottle of wine.
Offer to drive stuff to the thrift shop, that really helps her the job done.
posted by theora55 at 10:02 AM on December 11, 2019
I found post-it notes really helpful for labeling piles of stuff: keep, donate, sell, recycle, trash, etc.
posted by Gray Duck at 10:22 AM on December 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Gray Duck at 10:22 AM on December 11, 2019 [2 favorites]
Offer to drive stuff to the thrift shop
Yes! Or the shredding place, the electronics drop-off place, the chemical place, and so on.
posted by jgirl at 10:34 AM on December 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
Yes! Or the shredding place, the electronics drop-off place, the chemical place, and so on.
posted by jgirl at 10:34 AM on December 11, 2019 [6 favorites]
Offer to drive stuff to the thrift shop
Yes! Or the shredding place, the electronics drop-off place, the chemical place, and so on.
Nthing this. I KonMari'd everything I own and this was by far the hardest part, I've spent at least twice as much time trying to figure out how to recycle and give away stuff than I spent figuring out what sparks joy. Like, I'm super happy with my minimalist selection of absolutely wonderful things - but they are now right next to this giant pile of stuff that I want OUT OF MY LIFE and some help with that would have been much appreciated.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:42 AM on December 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
Yes! Or the shredding place, the electronics drop-off place, the chemical place, and so on.
Nthing this. I KonMari'd everything I own and this was by far the hardest part, I've spent at least twice as much time trying to figure out how to recycle and give away stuff than I spent figuring out what sparks joy. Like, I'm super happy with my minimalist selection of absolutely wonderful things - but they are now right next to this giant pile of stuff that I want OUT OF MY LIFE and some help with that would have been much appreciated.
posted by epanalepsis at 10:42 AM on December 11, 2019 [5 favorites]
A small shredder that fits on top of a trashcan (get it used on Craigslist or from Goodwill so she can pass it along guilt-free when she's done. I shredded SO MUCH paper.
A box of trash bags. She probably doesn't need this, she probably has some, but it's symbolic.
Some tea or wine?
Marie is now trying make money off organizational accessories, but in her original book she is very clear that you shouldn't buy organizational accessories. She says to just use old shoeboxes or shipping boxes to organize your drawers and shelves, and also get rid of enough stuff that you need way less containers to keep stuff in. :)
posted by amaire at 11:32 AM on December 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
A box of trash bags. She probably doesn't need this, she probably has some, but it's symbolic.
Some tea or wine?
Marie is now trying make money off organizational accessories, but in her original book she is very clear that you shouldn't buy organizational accessories. She says to just use old shoeboxes or shipping boxes to organize your drawers and shelves, and also get rid of enough stuff that you need way less containers to keep stuff in. :)
posted by amaire at 11:32 AM on December 11, 2019 [3 favorites]
Offer to drive stuff to the thrift shop
This is the nicest thing you could do, in addition to running interference to keep your friend’s schedule clear on the days/times they’re going through their stuff.
posted by sallybrown at 2:11 PM on December 11, 2019
This is the nicest thing you could do, in addition to running interference to keep your friend’s schedule clear on the days/times they’re going through their stuff.
posted by sallybrown at 2:11 PM on December 11, 2019
Nthing that I didn't buy anything. The only organising item I would willingly accept would be some drawer dividers, but I wouldn't count on everyone needing them.
I would have loved a list of easy places to donate stuff. I really didn't just want to trash stuff, and if someone had done some of the research on where to get rid of stuff, I would have loved them forever.
posted by kjs4 at 4:08 PM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I would have loved a list of easy places to donate stuff. I really didn't just want to trash stuff, and if someone had done some of the research on where to get rid of stuff, I would have loved them forever.
posted by kjs4 at 4:08 PM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
Offer to drive stuff to the thrift shop
Me and my sister do this for each other sometimes, we call it "the magic disappearing car." If you have some things you need to get rid of but want them to go to a nice place, you put them in the car and they automatically go there. I mean, really most of it goes to the thrift store and some to the trash but in many cases just having it OUT is the big helper. Make some Magic Disappearing Car coupons. The only other thing that might be helpful is a small portable labelmaker.
posted by jessamyn at 4:39 PM on December 11, 2019 [7 favorites]
Me and my sister do this for each other sometimes, we call it "the magic disappearing car." If you have some things you need to get rid of but want them to go to a nice place, you put them in the car and they automatically go there. I mean, really most of it goes to the thrift store and some to the trash but in many cases just having it OUT is the big helper. Make some Magic Disappearing Car coupons. The only other thing that might be helpful is a small portable labelmaker.
posted by jessamyn at 4:39 PM on December 11, 2019 [7 favorites]
Possibly difficult to orchestrate, but could you take "before" photos of her place and maybe print them out or just put them in an album online your friend can see? IIRC the book recommends having these to look back at.
posted by orangejenny at 4:47 PM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by orangejenny at 4:47 PM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I've read both of her books and Kondo likes boxes. She likes boxes to fit a specific item perfectly. I am confident she has mentioned shoeboxes. She likes to fit small things -- like underpants, bras, and workout wear in boxes so they don't flop over in a larger drawer. She likes smaller boxes for desk items.
So maybe a shoebox, or a few purchased decorative organizational boxes ( that might "spark joy" for your friend), at least one in shoebox size. Buying more things defeats the purpose. A shoebox (or a group of boxes) with the book and garbage bags inside fills the request. Add some nice candy, a bag of good coffee, or other edible treat.
posted by loveandhappiness at 6:01 PM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
So maybe a shoebox, or a few purchased decorative organizational boxes ( that might "spark joy" for your friend), at least one in shoebox size. Buying more things defeats the purpose. A shoebox (or a group of boxes) with the book and garbage bags inside fills the request. Add some nice candy, a bag of good coffee, or other edible treat.
posted by loveandhappiness at 6:01 PM on December 11, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'd get a variety of boxes for drawers. I prefer patterned cardboard ones. ..aand yes, I know she says you have all the stuff for storage that you need, but that wasn't the case in our house.
We have something similar to these and they've been really useful for sorting/storing smaller items.
posted by speakeasy at 12:47 AM on December 12, 2019
We have something similar to these and they've been really useful for sorting/storing smaller items.
posted by speakeasy at 12:47 AM on December 12, 2019
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posted by gaybobbie at 8:03 AM on December 11, 2019 [2 favorites]