Author: Marie Kondo | Book Review: by Marlene Caraballo.
It was inspiring to read Marie Kondo’s new book, ‘Kurashi at Home.’ As a fan of her previous work, I was excited to dive in. It did not disappoint.
I love that the focus of this book is on the home. In her previous works, Kondo has primarily focused on decluttering and organizing possessions. However, in ‘Kurashi at Home,’ she takes a more holistic approach, looking at creating a home that truly sparks joy. I found this shift in focus refreshing and insightful, and it helped me look around my house with fresh eyes.
One of the things I appreciated most was Kondo’s emphasis on the importance of creating a welcoming and comfortable environment. She stresses that a home should be a place to relax, unwind, and be yourself. This philosophy may seem obvious, but it’s something that many of us take for granted. Kondo offers practical tips for creating a welcoming atmosphere, such as using soft lighting, incorporating plants, and playing soothing music.
Another key theme is the idea of “flow” — creating a home where everything is arranged logically and intuitively. Kondo encourages readers to think about how they move through their space and to place furniture and objects accordingly.
For example, she suggests placing frequently used items within easy reach and keeping pathways clear of clutter. Again, this may seem like common sense, but Kondo’s approach is thoughtful and thorough. Plus, I appreciate that she talks about our home’s “energy” as if it has a soul of its own, which is such a sweet, respectful concept and could entirely shift how we treat our living spaces.
Of course, a Marie Kondo book wouldn’t be complete without a discussion of decluttering and organizing. While this is not this book’s sole focus, Kondo offers some new insights into her tried-and-true methods. For example, she introduces a new concept called the “power spot,” an area in the home particularly prone to clutter and chaos. By identifying these spots and focusing on decluttering and organizing them, Kondo suggests we can create a more harmonious home overall.
Kondo also offers several deeper insights into the emotional and psychological aspects of decluttering and organizing. She stresses the importance of approaching these tasks with a mindset of gratitude and appreciation for the items we choose to keep. This thought process may sound a bit woo-woo, but I found it to be a powerful and grounding approach.
One of my favorite parts of the book was Kondo’s discussion of seasonal cleaning. In Japan, it is traditional to do a deep clean of the home at the start of each season, and Kondo offers some practical guidance on how to approach this task. I loved the idea of using this as an opportunity to reset and refresh the home — it felt like a beautiful way to mark the passing of time and honor the changing seasons.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in approaching their home and possessions in a more profound way than simply learning how to tidy up. While the book may be for readers already familiar with Kondo’s methods, it could also be a perfect starter book for those new to meaningful ways to declutter and organize. Bonus — the book is aesthetically beautiful and could make for an attractive and functional coffee table book!
