How to Organise Your Wardrobe with the Japanese KonMari Technique

Organising a wardrobe with the Japanese KonMari technique has become popular because it turns cluttered drawers into visible, practical and attractive spaces. Its approach combines deliberate choices, vertical folding and clothes stored in order.

Why does the KonMari method help with wardrobe organisation?

The method changes how tidying begins by advising people to organise by category rather than by room. Rather than sorting out one drawer at a time, you gather every item of clothing together, making the true volume of the build-up clear.

Marie Kondo is known for the KonMari method, which recommends keeping only possessions that spark joy or satisfaction. In the wardrobe, this principle makes it easier to distinguish useful, cherished and functional garments from those that have been forgotten.

The technique has become popular for the following reasons:

• Category: all clothes are assessed together, so excess items cannot be hidden.
• Vertical folding: keeps every garment visible inside the drawer.
• Visibility: stops T-shirts being forgotten at the bottom of piles.
• Satisfaction: this criterion encourages you to keep only clothes you enjoy wearing.
• Space: drawers are used more efficiently and are easier to maintain.

How do you choose which clothes to keep?

Start by removing every item from the wardrobe, placing it on the bed and assessing each piece individually. This visual impact helps reveal duplicates, forgotten garments and impulse purchases that take up space without any use.

Then hold each item and consider whether it still suits your routine, your body and how you feel when wearing it. The aim is not to discard clothes because of fashion, but to retain garments that provide comfort, usefulness and satisfaction.

What is the KonMari vertical folding process?

Vertical folding turns T-shirts, lightweight tops, underwear and gym clothing into small upright rectangles. Each item can then be seen from the front of the drawer, so you do not need to pull apart a pile to find a piece.

Vertical folding with a shop-like effect

The garment needs to stand up by itself.

Once the fold is firm, the clothing goes into the drawer like a file.

The aim is to see everything from above, without digging through hidden layers.

To fold a T-shirt, smooth it out, bring the sides towards the centre, fold the sleeves inwards and make a narrow strip. Then fold it into three sections to create a firm rectangle that can stand upright.

Follow this order when folding:

• Lay the garment flat on a level surface.
• Fold the sides towards the centre, aligning the sleeves and seams.
• Create a long rectangle with no loose ends.
• Fold it into two or three sections, depending on the drawer height.
• Store it vertically, with the folded edge facing upwards.

How can you make better use of drawers and shelves?

In drawers, the technique works best when clothing is arranged by type, such as T-shirts, lightweight trousers, underwear and workout clothes. Simple dividers help keep the rows straight and prevent everything from returning to its previous mess.

On shelves, low boxes or baskets can create the same drawer-like effect. Heavy pieces, structured coats and clothes that crease badly can be hung up, which better preserves their drape and shape.

To maintain the result, organise items as follows:

• Sort clothes by category before putting them away.
• Use boxes or dividers in very large drawers.
• Keep the most frequently worn items within easy reach.
• Hang delicate, formal or items that lose shape when folded.

Why does this technique reduce shopping and build-up?

Like the Japanese technique that went viral worldwide, the KonMari method reveals what is already at home. When everything is visible, repeat purchases fall and the wardrobe gains clarity and control.

The benefit becomes apparent after tidying, as you begin choosing more carefully what to wear and what to buy. Fewer forgotten garments mean less waste, fewer overfilled drawers and a routine with a cleaner, more practical look.