Is your home or office feeling cluttered? Do you struggle to part with materialistic items, yet you’re running out of room? Marie Kondo, creator of the KonMari Method and author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up educates readers on the Japanese art of decluttering and organizing. Why wait for Spring? If you’re sick of the clutter and mess, try these eight steps to make the most out of your living spaces.

1. Tidy all at once. By this, Kondo means that you have a six-month time frame to clean the entirety of the home or office.

2. Visualise your destination. Invisage what it feels like to have a clutter free zone.

3. Identify why you want to live the way you envision. Why do you want to live a more organised life? Think about this deeply before beginning the process.

4. Determine if each item sparks joy. If you’re simply holding onto items out of guilt or obligation, it’s time to throw them out.

6. Tidy by category, not location. Instead of cleaning one bedroom, begin by cleaning out all the clothes in each bedroom.

7. Tidy in the right order – clothes, books, papers, then miscellaneous.

8. Discard before you place things back. Throw out unwanted items before placing and organising things in their designated space.

One of Kondo’s most noteable ways to organise the home is how she folds her socks, underwear and t-shirts. Instead of folding them traditionally, she opts to fold them so they stand up rather than lie flat. This not only allows more room in your draws, but shows you each garment without shuffling everything around.

You can learn more about the KonMari method online, or by purchasing her book at any bookstore or good retailer.