Marie Kondo’s ‘File Folding’ Method Will Make Your Drawers Look Immaculate

By now, you’ve likely heard about the Konmari method that took the world by storm after the release of the book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo ($9.69, Amazon). Kondo’s uplifting yet structured method of home organizing has inspired Instagram accounts and Pinterest boards worldwide, and in particular, her method of folding has totally changed the game — at least it has for us.

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Kondo’s folding method is called “file folding,” because when your clothes are folded this way and placed in your drawers, they resembles files in a filing cabinet. The benefit of file folding is that it takes up less space, so you can pack more clothes into each drawer. Additionally, rather than clothes being stacked up on top of each other in a drawer with items at the bottom completely unseen, file folding allows all your clothes to be in view when you open your drawers, so you always know what options you have without having to dig.

The first part of this method, though — and Kondo’s signature — is to go through your things and rid yourself of any clothing items that don’t “spark joy.” And what a better time of year to go through all your drawers and closets and pluck out anything you don’t wear (or even like) anymore and start fresh? That old dress that doesn’t fit and just makes you feel guilty every time you look at it? Give it away! Your son’s old sports uniform he’s never going to wear again? Donate it! Do yourself the favor and let it all go.

Now it’s time to file fold what you’ve decided to keep. The method is actually pretty simple: You just fold your item of clothing into a small rectangle and stand it up in the drawer. Whether sweatshirts, pants, dress shirts, or skirts, check out the video below where Marie Kondo herself will teach you the art of file folding anything you have!

Here’s to being more organized in 2020!