Want to know the life-changing way to pack a tidy suitcase?
We’ve got the expert on all things curated and organized to show you the way – Marie Kondo. The arrangement expert, author, and founder of The KonMari Method and KonMari Media is the perfect person to pack, and we honestly wish we’d put it in our suitcase to take home.
Instead, we asked her to share her favorite tips and tricks for packing a suitcase, or even a smaller, more challenging tote, so that everything inside is neat, tidy, and most importantly, cheery once you reach your destination.
Read on for her tips not only on how to pack but also on packing cubes, storage bags, and other tools that can help get the job done, so you can focus on enjoying your travel adventures—like lounging on the beach on your vacation in 2023.
What should I do to plan before I pack my bags?
The best thing to do to stay organized is to make a plan. Instead of throwing away all of your items at the last minute, Kondo suggests sticking to a plan to make things easier for you.
“One of the first things I suggest you do before packing is make a list of all the travel essentials you’ll need for your trip,” Kondo said. “From there, put everything down and categorize it by item type for a complete look at how many you have for each category. By applying the KonMari method in your packing approach, you can proactively eliminate potential stressors in order to make the most of your time away from home.”
To do this, we suggest calculating the number of days you’ll be away and looking at the weather day and night, making sure you have a complete outfit (mix and match allowed) for each.
She added, “When packing, remind yourself that travel is temporary and should be about the actual trip and the experiences themselves, rather than sweeping wardrobe choices.” “I recommend packing various clothing options to make the wardrobe decision easier and to ease the overall load, especially when using a handbag. Packing a few outfits that you absolutely love will make getting ready each day easier, too.”
What is the best way to pack a suitcase?
This is where it gets controversial. Some people swear by packing every item flat, while others roll every garment in an effort to maximize space. Marie Kondo has a different approach, not only maximizing space, but making it easier to get dressed once you get to your destination.
When using KonMari’s tried-and-true folding technique, selected items will be stored upright instead of piled in a pile. By neatly folding clothes and placing them vertically, you’ll prevent wrinkles, maximize space in your bag, and you’ll easily be able to view all of your clothing options when you open your bag. or your bag upon arrival.
This method is great for clothing and other fabrics, as shown in the video above. However, what happens when you need to add liquids and toiletries to your bag?
“For cosmetics such as lotions, shampoos, and mouthwashes, I recommend adding these items in smaller bottles to help reduce volume,” Kondo suggested. “Once you account for travel-sized toiletries, it’s best to use a waterproof toiletry bag, that way in case of any unplanned mishaps, the products won’t get on clothes and your bag will be easy to clean!”
One last tip? Try not to overload your luggage, because the way home can be more difficult than the trip there in terms of fitting everything nicely in your suitcase.
“I recommend leaving 10% empty space in your suitcase, so you can buy souvenirs and pack them for your trip home!” She said.
Shop the best packing cubes and gadgets for travel in 2023:
1. Paravel packing cubes, prices vary
This is Marie Kondo’s pick, for its versatility in size and flexible material.
“I enjoy using packing cubes to keep items as organized as possible in my suitcase,” Kondo said of the cubes. “Having a variety of packing cube sizes will help make the packing process smoother too. Paravel packing cube, set of 4 have different sizes that I like to use during my own travels.”
2. Tidy Tech Kit, $59
Keep your tech organized, too, with the Bellroy kit that can hold cords, chargers, headphones, and more, now sold on the KonMari website.
“With room for a power bank, mouse, and assorted charging cables, the package unzips flat for full visibility and easy access to everything inside,” the product page reads. “It’s designed to keep large items separate from small essentials, which means less time spent untangling charging cords from earphone cords.”
3. Away The Insider Packaging Cubes, $45
Made with mesh tops, these packing cubes are great for repacking your used clothes on the way back and reducing any odor. It’s also perfect for many sizes of clothing, with socks and underwear in the smaller cube and large sweaters and pants in the larger sizes.
When using the KonMari Method folding technique, you can fit up to 5-6 pairs of underwear in each small cube, 6-8 pairs of pants in the medium cube, and 9-10 T-shirts or 2-3 bulky items. Like Kondo said.
4. Kitsch Ultimate Travel 11 Pack, $14
For your liquids and toiletries, Kondo suggested using smaller bottles and filling them up before you leave. This 11-piece set is perfect for just that, with larger bottles for longer trips and smaller bottles for lotions, sprays, and more.
5. Calpak Terra Hanging Toiletry Bag, $48
Kondo also suggested using a waterproof bag to store the above toiletries bottles. This makes it easy to stay organized on your trip, too, with a strap that hangs over the bathroom door.
6. 30-Pack Travel Storage Bags, $15
On the way home, be sure to have some waterproof garment bags as well, keeping your swimwear and towels away from other items to prevent mold or unpleasant odors from getting into your clean clothes and suitcase.
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