In Japan, the zen principle of Kanso means achieving simplicity in one’s life through the elimination of clutter. True order comes when your values, possessions and home environment are all in harmony with one another. Studies consistently prove that a clear environment improves one’s ability to focus, leads to reduced levels of stress and anxiety, and also makes us more efficient, as we are able to find the things we need easily in an uncluttered space. Furthermore, living in a simplified space has been found to support healthier eating choices and improve our sleep. To read more about the scientifically proven benefits of decluttering, click here.

Here is my guidance on how you can incorporate Kanso in your bedroom to create a relaxing, peaceful sanctuary…

Before decluttering:

1. Create a vision for your bedroom - Start by standing back and looking at this space with fresh eyes. What are your eyes drawn towards? Do the contents spark a feeling of ease or discontent? Does the space inspire you to let go and relax? Or does it appear uninviting and chaotic? Being clear on how you’d like to feel in this space will offer some insight into what items need to stay to support you in achieving your ideal bedroom.

2. Analyse your current routine in this space - What activities do you want to undertake in your bedroom? Is this a sanctuary providing solitude and relaxation from the rest of the home? Is the space used solely for sleep?

3. For clarity, write a simple list of items you intend to store in this room - examples may include clothes, accessories, jewellery, books, cosmetics, self care items, framed photographs, pictures or art on the walls, or other sentimental items which bring you joy. All of these items should be in line with your vision for your ideal bedroom which supports your lifestyle.

4. Schedule time in your calendar that you’re going to devote to decluttering - it may take longer than you expect.

Create the space and make your vision a reality:

5. Declutter all items in the bedroom, one category at a time - Include items in wardrobes, cupboards, drawers and on surfaces. To successfully implement Kanso in the bedroom, I recommend using the KonMari Method of tidying (created by Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo), where you are encouraged to declutter items by category over location, starting with clothing, before moving on to books, paperwork, komono (miscellaneous items) and sentimental. Download my free Tidying Checklist to get you started.

Tackling items in this order, one group at a time, will allow you to assess the overall volume of possessions you have in each category, and enables you to focus your decision-making on one criteria at a time, reducing the likelihood of you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. You will need to create piles of similar items first before completing your joy checks. These categories may include: clothing, accessories, jewellery, books, cosmetics, linen, electronics and sentimental items to name but a few.

6. Joy checks - In this part of the process, choose the items you wish to keep, guided by what sparks joy or serves you practically. When you pick up each item in your hands, one at a time, you’re evaluating their purpose and usefulness to you. Focus on what you need in the present rather than the keeping things for ‘someday’; and remind yourself that discarding memorabilia is not the same as discarding memories. Kanso is all about stripping back on unnecessary and decorative possessions to keep only what is functional. If you find this part of the process challenging, read ‘8 Barriers that Stop Us from Decluttering... And 8 Tips to Overcome Them!’.

7. Pass on items with gratitude for what they have taught you - Kanso allows us to confront our history of over- consumption and reset our purchasing habits for the future. In KonMari, we say goodbye to the items which will no longer serve a purpose in our life; through acknowledging appreciation for the item, and discovering the lesson learnt from allowing the item in our life, we are able to embrace a secure sense of closure in decluttering.

8. Less is more - Kanso focuses on keeping the bare minimum to achieve simple, minimalist surroundings and only buying what you really need. It is believed that through choosing modest furniture or minimal artwork, you will be able to satisfy your vision for quiet and simplicity. In reducing visual clutter, Kanso fosters an embracing sanctuary and peaceful atmosphere that invites mindfulness and appreciation for the present moment.

9. Store like with like - Once you know what you're keeping, create a home for every item, and designate an area or zone for each category of items. This will help you stay organised moving forward. The most important thing when applying Kanso to daily life is to not think in terms of decoration, but rather in terms of clarity. Can you find things easily? Can you see everything at a quick glance? Successful organisation should evoke a feeling of tranquility and order.

Further tips to implement Kanso in your bedroom:

• Remove text clutter - Labels, stickers and instructions are all examples of visual clutter and can be extremely distracting.

Choose calming colours that you favour to adorn your bedroom.
Be mindful of storing items behind doors on hooks - Although it may seem practical to store a dressing gown or used clothing here, ask yourself if viewing this constantly is joyful.
Beware of the chairdrobe / floordrobe scenario - It may be tempting to store used clothing on the chair or floor, especially if you’re tired, but I advise you to get into the habit of storing these items in one of two locations: the laundry basket or back in their designated home.

Store a minimal amount of items on bedroom surfaces - Give a home to a select number of essential items on the surface of a dressing table or chest of drawers. Surfaces are for activity; they’re not storage.
Think carefully about what to store under the bed or in an ottoman - Kanso is as much about what you cannot see in a space, as what you can see. Just because items are stored out of sight, does not mean they are out of mind. If these spaces are full to bursting, they will need to be decluttered too. Keep the categories in these spaces minimal. For example, an ottoman bed is a great location for storing bed linen and towels.
Kanso allows individuals to engage with their surroundings without distraction - If you’re limited on space at home and have to work in your bedroom, creating a storage space for work-related items using a box or tray for relocation grants you the opportunity to fully switch off from work.

Maintaining Kanso in your bedroom:
10. Always make your bed - Being productive in the most simple of tasks like making your bed in the morning has a significant impact on how you can start your day with a positive mindset.

11. Follow the mantra ‘don’t put it down, put it away’ - Now that every item in your bedroom has a home, there is no reason to leave it out.

12. Adopt mindful consumption - Once you have determined the items that spark joy and serve you practically in your bedroom, protect the space and be mindful of what comes into this space in the future. Consider using a ‘one in, one out’ policy to keep the number of items in balance.