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Compact Living: India's certified KonMari consultant reveals how to keep your home clutter-free with the best organisers
HT Shop Now's Compact Living offers a guide to tackling everyday clutter. This is backed by expert insight, and picks that work in busy family homes in India.
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| Product | Rating | Price |
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JD FRESH Polypropylene Set of 20 Drawer Organiser/Unbreakable Drawer Organizers/Dressing Table Organizer/Multi-Purpose Storage Boxes/Drawer Divider Tray for Kitchen/Bedroom/Office -(Clear Transparent)View Details  | ||
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HIRNAYA Multi purpose 3 Tier Drawer Organizer, Expandable Junk Drawers Organizer, Foldable Smart Organizer, Collapsible Shallow Storage Drawers Tray Desk Organizer for Makeup, Jewelry, Office StorageView Details | ||
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Farmical Drawer Dividers Organizer with Partition Expands from 13"-17" (MEDIUM) Wooden Bamboo Drawers Organizers for Wardrobe, Clothes, Office, Spoon, CosmeticsView Details | ||
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ecofynd Stuffed Animal Toy Hammock, Hanging Cotton Organizer Storage for Soft Toys, Boho Large Hang Plush Toys, Net Holder for Nursery Kids, Play Room, Bedroom, Kid Room (BH027)View Details | ||
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Amazon Basics Foldable & Stackable Clothes Organizer For Wardrobe | Set Of 10 (White), PlasticView Details | ||
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I organise and then reorganise my home far more often than I would like to admit. Yet the calm never seems to last. With two kids and a large joint family, things quietly pile up faster than I can clear them. The clutter is not dramatic, just constant. One drawer spills into another, cupboards feel fuller every month, and the cycle starts again.
That is when I reached out to Rachna Kacker, founder of Messmerize India and one of the few certified KonMari Consultants in India. For the uninitiated, a KonMari Consultant is a certified professional trained by Japanese organising consultant Marie Kondo's organisation. With years of practical experience across Indian homes, Rachna's approach is grounded and realistic. I asked her the question that had been bothering me for years. Where does clutter really begin, and what is the right way to deal with it so the effort actually lasts?
“Clutter usually builds up in spaces that store a little bit of everything and don’t have clear categories. The only way to create lasting change is to declutter category by category, take everything out so you can see what you truly own, and then build simple systems every family member can maintain.”
That conversation sent me online, too. I looked at organisers I already use, newer options with strong user reviews, and a few quietly functional pieces that tick every box without much attention. From that mix, I narrowed down a shortlist of must-have organisers suited to each clutter-prone area.
Top organisers for the cluttered zones in your home
Drawers and small storage units
These are usually the first places clutter hides because they feel small and harmless. Over time, they turn into catch-all zones where random items quietly pile up without notice.
Identifying the clutter
Chargers, loose papers, cosmetics, keys and stationery end up sharing the same space. With no clear category, items overlap, get forgotten, and make even simple tasks feel annoying.
How to declutter
• Empty the drawer fully and sort items by clear categories
• Use shallow organisers so everything stays visible
• Assign one purpose to each drawer and stick to it
Kids’ rooms
Children’s rooms collect clutter faster than any other space because they grow, change interests, and receive new things constantly. Without simple systems, mess returns within days of cleaning.
Identifying the clutter
Toys, books, art supplies, clothes and school items compete for space. Too many options overwhelm kids, making it harder for them to put things away or enjoy what they own.
How to declutter
• Rotate toys instead of storing everything together
• Keep storage low so children can manage it themselves
• Group similar items so clean up feels clear and quick
The kitchen
The kitchen stays functional even when cluttered, which is why excess often goes unnoticed. Over time, cupboards fill up while daily routines continue without questioning what is actually needed.
Identifying the clutter
Duplicate tools, mismatched containers, unused gadgets and extra groceries slowly take over shelves and counters, especially when multiple people use the kitchen daily.
How to declutter
• Remove duplicates and items unused for months
• Create clear zones for daily and occasional use
• Keep systems simple so everyone follows the same flow
(Compact Living is a series where design student and HT Lifestyle expert Neha Ravi Khandelwal shares ideas for smarter, clutter-free homes. For this feature, the expert suggested the broad categories. The final product selections were made independently by the editorial team. Listings are not ranked in any order of preference or priority.)
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The author of this article holds a Master's Degree in Interior Design and has spent over a decade in research, teaching, and designing homes from scratch.
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