Does The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Work?

As an interior designer, I have seen inside many homes - and it's not always pretty.  

Conversely, that's the reason I am called in to  help.  Most people have far too many possessions: clothes, books, ornaments, utensils, records, CDs, toys - "stuff" - and it's often not an easy task asking them to pare it down, or throw things out, so that the interior refurbishment can begin.  Adding more storage only exacerbates the problem - frequently it's not that we need more storage, it's that we just need less stuff.

Recently I've had the bright idea to recommend to my clients The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, an interesting book by tidying guru, Marie Kondo, who wants to organise the world and promises not just a tidy home but a transformation of your life!  Naturally, I've tried out the method myself first, to see if it actually works, and I have had clients who have tried it too.  

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying, Marie Kondo, Vermilion, London

So, will the Japanese sensation which has sold 1.5 million copies, work?  Does it actually change your life?
The KonMari method promises to transform your life

Kondo is methodical and asks you to work through your home, one category at a time.   Visualise your destination, ask your possessions if they "spark joy" and create a dialogue with yourself, she says.  Kondo teaches us how to fold using her own method, and lists the stages to follow clearly.  The book is easy and quick to read, with an infectious lightness and positivity.

However, be warned.  Kondo does not recommend you throw out one thing at a time, but insists that you discard items within each category all at once.  It's a great ideology but if you end up with a mountain of 73 tops on your bed - make sure you have time to complete the discarding process that day.  Time is definitely a crucial factor to ensure the KonMari method succeeds.