4 ways to create a home that "sparks joy"

In the era of KonMari and Hygge, folks aspire for a clean and tidy home.  I also aspire for a home that looks perfect and neat like a hotel.  However, I get overwhelmed just thinking about some of the KonMari techniques.  Let's be real.  I barely have time to hug my kids on their way out the door, much less convey affection to my clothes while folding them!  

But rather than get lost in the details, here are 4 things you can spend a few minutes on each day that will get you closer to the Zen, tidy space you seek.    

Tackle the Laundry

Raise your hand if you have a chair where all of your laundry goes... Yup, me too.

Letting your laundry pile up is a buzz kill for those who aspire to have a tidy home.  First it's just one shirt, and the next thing you know pieces of clothing accumulate during the week, and before you know it you're leaving an entire laundry basket untouched. Or maybe it's just me?

If a tidy home is your goal, break your habit of not putting away your clothes right as they come out of the dryer. You'll feel better instantly!  If you really aspire for perfection, try the the Konmari Method of folding clothes.  

Over-decorating is the most common way to make your home feel untidy. If each inch of surface space is covered with decor your interior can feel crowded and chaotic.   Here is your chance to embrace some minimalism and tidy up at the same time.Take a page out of Marie Kondo's book and ask yourself "does this bring me joy?" when assessing what to keep and what to remove from your space.  If it doesn't bring you joy, then donate the item.  

This one seems insignificant, but this small change can set you up for success. If you take an extra 5 minutes to make your bed you'll not only feel more productive, but your whole bedroom will look tidier. Now, take that productiveness to the next level and conquer the rest of your mess!

Leave Your Sentimental Items for Last

Start small when it comes to purging your accumulated belongings.  Tackle easy things first like books and papers.  Then you can move on to cleaning out closets and getting rid of clothing items that don't fit, are stained or ripped, or that you just don't wear anymore.  

What seems like a simple trip down memory lane can easily turn into a 2 hour trip back in time.  Save sentimental items like photographs and memory boxes for last.  We find that digitizing some of these items can help us part with items we normally keep.  And if you have children these sentimental items can pile up quickly!  

In our family we take snapshots of large and bulky art projects (dioramas, paper mache penguins, and such), as well as the plethora of colored pages and drawings.  The digital images are included in our family photo book to show the progression of our children's learning over the year.  The kids know we are keeping photos, so they don't get emotional when they see their beloved project in the trash.  We also do this for treasured Lego creations.  

PRO TIP

When sorting and purging your household items, our advice is to create three piles: keep, donate, toss. This will help you sort through your belongings and have a dedicated space for each item. When you're done, you'll know exactly what to do with everything.

Want more tips and tricks? Head over to Marie Kondo's website.