What Is "Organizing With Purpose"
Are the rooms in your home for storing clutter or fostering calm and joy?
Look around your home and ask yourself: How much of this space is a true sanctuary that allows you to relax and enjoy—and how much space is filled with clutter? A fellow KonMari home organizing consultant, Monika Miller, created a useful “Cost of Clutter Calculator” to help families understand the real cost of storing clutter in their homes:
Cost of Clutter = Percentage of Home Filled with Clutter x Rent or Mortgage
Let’s say you estimate about 40% of your home is filled with clutter, and your monthly payment is $2,300 (or $27,600 per year):
0.40×2,300=920/month or 0.40×28,000=11,040/year
Even if you don’t rent a storage unit, you’re effectively paying around $11,000 each year for unusable space. That’s a powerful reminder to reclaim your home and redefine its true purpose.
Each room in your home plays a vital role in helping your family thrive:
Bedroom: To promote calm, recharge, and connection
Living Room: To connect, share stories, and build memories
Kitchen/Dining Room: To replenish energy and create together
Kids’ Room/Playroom: To cultivate childhood
Office: To foster productivity and creativity
Bathroom: To cleanse and refresh body and mind
Mud Room/Entryway: To transition between indoor and outdoor energy
Garage/Attic/Basement: To store outdoor and seasonal items in an organized, accessible way
Laundry Room/Cleaning Closet: To streamline access to cleaning tools and keep your home tidy
When every room is organized to serve its unique purpose, it makes daily routines easier, your space peaceful, and your home a true sanctuary.
Author Ann Dooley is the creator of The Dooley Method, a framework for combining home organization with connection-based parenting. For ongoing guidance, support, and inspiration, join her community at Dooley Noted.