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Kondo-method drawer: Am I doing this right?

K.M.

Veteran

A question for those of you familiar with the Kondo method: Am I doing this right? If I understood it correctly she suggested we roll up clothes like a sushi roll; I just wasn't sure if you're supposed to store them upright as I did. It looks messier this way (as opposed to laying them "horizontally") but it saves more space.
I was resistant about trying this, but my drawer was overflowing and I could never keep it organized or find anything. This definitely makes it easier to find items and it leaves a bit more space on top than before (although the number of items is the same). I just did this so I don't know how it will be to maintain it. My older system of piles of folded clothes wasn't very easy to maintain lately.

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20 replies

Latest reply was from Scarlet

Anonymous

This is exactly the way I am rolling/storing items. Isn't it amazing how little space is used!!! I was genuinely surprised at the result. I rolled underwear and camisoles. I can instantly see everything and it looks SO NICE. I folded and placed bras next to each other. I now know exactly what I have in an instant. I don't have to dig around anymore either.

If you do more organization, let me know. I am extremely interested. I rolled all my tee shirts last weekend.

K.M.

Veteran

Sterling, thanks for the feedback! These are my t-shirts. Mostly organized according to sleeve-length, but not completely yet. Next I think I will try my sweaters. I anticipate it will be more challenging because the thicknesses are so different. It might not work with all but possibly with most.

I have a feeling this will also make it evident which items are not getting worn (those that otherwise languish forgotten, out of sight, at the bottom...)

Anonymous

Yes!!! We'll know exactly what gets worn and what doesn't. I am a convert!!

I did not realize those were tee shirts. They look exactly like my underwear drawer. I did roll all my tee shirts, but I stacked them on a self, horizontally. Perhaps I should try placing them upright like you did.

And the sweaters. I haven't yet figured out if I want to roll them yet. I'll watch to see what you do!!!!

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frannieb

Veteran

I will have to a take a picture of my drawer - I understood it to be more a a envelope fold that I line up in my drawer.
Couple links I used to help me with my shirts - I also fold my pants this way
http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs7Lk6WOM7Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJAYRXjZoMY
Folding my clothes has become I kind of meditative thing and my drawers bring me happiness

I roll my underwear
Love talking about kondo organization

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm stuck on what to do with my sweaters which I store flat on my shelf right now. In the off season I roll them like sausages and store them in containers under my bed. Maybe the sausage roll can work on my shelf also?

K.M.

Veteran

Sterling, thanks for sharing your pics! I'm looking at your shelf and wondering how you can use up all that vertical space on top of the rolled shirts!

frannieb, I would love to see your drawer and have an idea of what it looks like the way you did. I had seen some videos online that looked more like an envelope (I will check out your links soon).

Staysfit, I'm curious about the sausage roll!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Looks right. I have been trying this and find with dark tops it helps me to try to keep the label exposed so I know which is which - does anyone else have this issue?

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Looks right to me! Although it's harder if you have multiple tops from the same company, where the colour is the same, but the cut is different. I group my items according to sleeve length or neck line, rather than colour, to avoid confusion.

rizamei

I've folded mine via the envelope method. Here's a picture, though things are flopping about a bit since I am about to do laundry and put stuff back in. Works pretty well. Tees make of drapier fabric do tend to flop, but I am much more aware of what's not being worn. Things are much less likely to get lost in the back, bottom corner. They tend to begin the week sorted by color and size, though they get shuffled around as I decide what to wear.

Also, you can fold them in such a way that it's easy to tell white t-shirt with design 1 from white t-shirt with design 2.

I've actually done this in all my drawers - works best for the tees, and worst for the trousers. (I think the latter is due to the shape of my drawers not lending themselves to efficient rows with the trousers.) It works nicely for thin pullover sweaters; folding cardigans or bulkier knits is a little trickier.

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Anonymous

Rhizome -- your drawer looks magnificent. I do see the difference between my rolls and your envelopes. Right now, I really like the rolls for my underwear and camisoles, but I will watch some videos and experiment with the envelope method for tee shirts and lighter weight sweaters.

The most amazing thing about this method is how I can instantly see everything item. I know exactly what I have and what gets worn.

It had the biggest impact on my selection of bras. When I pulled them all out, I was surprised at how many I had. I remembered buying all of them, I just hadn't remembered that they were in my drawer. It became instantly evident that more than 75 percent of my bras were never worn. Never.

At first, I was going to make an effort to wear them. I eventually got rid of them. I now own just three bras. But three bras that I wear. I also know what styles of bra I wear and what styles interest me, but I don't wear. I learned all this in a single morning of organizing.

With regards to folding pants, I doubt I will ever go that route. I hang them and that seems to work for me.

Staysfit

Veteran

I'm using the envelope method in my drawers. I have been successful in keeping it up now since the summer. My gym clothes, tee's, lounge wear, PJ's, camisoles, and undies are enveloped. I roll my socks. For the floppier tee's I found that folding them smaller helps them stand in place. They are a bit wider and shorter that way, but they can stand on their own.

Anonymous

I roll my underwear like your photo and my cami vests and tees are folded envelope-wise. I think either way is totally valid. It's so nice to be able to see everything you have at one time.

kkards

Veteran

2.5 questions re rolling method….
if you don't fill an entire draw, how do you keep them in place (and if you do fill an entire draw, what happens when you pull one out?)
are the knits wrinkled when you use this method?

Staysfit

Veteran

If I pull something out, I push everything over to fill the space. Maybe I will post pics later if I have time. I have a play today at the local theatre (matinee because we had to switch our tickets when my stepfather passed away in early March). I will try to show how I fold the tees, and what happens when there's a gap.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I keep all my sweater and basic t-shirts in canvas closet shelves similar to this one
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Simp.....r/30644275
and I've been folding them... After reading this I ran to my closet and rolled everything... I have doubled my space, perfect for adding in Spring items now!
I knew this concept from packing, but never thought to do it for my real life...Lol...Thank you for posting!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Looks great.

Diana

Veteran

Oh, cool! I should try this. I have shelves like sterling's second picture, and right now my tees and some other things are folded up in stacks, which is not really ideal as it's hard to get to the things on the bottom. Do you find that you can identify things ok when they are rolled up? (For ex, I have like 5 black tees, of differing necklines, tightness, etc, so they're different but all black. I wonder if I'd be able to tell them apart?)

I do already keep my bras and underwear not rolled, but folded up (I think it's similar to the envelope method?) and lined upright in baskets. It is very efficient and doesn't take up much room.

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Golden

Veteran

Ours look like rezamei's. And I love it!!!!

Anonymous

Mine also look just like rezamei's ( tees, underwear, and jeans/shorts.)
I use the rolling method for a drawer of scarves and a small shallow drawer of belts. All have stood the test of time, staying neat and visible.
In DH's tee drawer I keep long sleeved ones in one row, shirtsleeved in one row, and a third row is turtlenecks and fleece pullovers. My own tees are mostly arranged by color or fabric.

Scarlet

Veteran

I have been doing it like Rizamel. Totally changes the game for me as I used to hang everything specifically so that I can see everything, but using drawers this way accomplishes that and saves so much space relative to hanging.