Her process, which she explains in the series, includes having participants go through their homes section by section—"1) Clothing, 2) Books, 3) Paper, 4) Komono (kitchen, bathroom, garage and miscellaneous) 5) Sentimental items.

[14] Research suggests that "clean organized environments" have a variety of psychologically beneficial effects—such as clearer thought processes, increased confidence, and abilities.

[14] Further research shows that an untidy environment can negatively impact many aspects of human health—such as mood and stress levels, memory capabilities, and even the ability to process other people's facial expressions.

[17] On the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, the show holds a score of 81%, noting that Marie Kondo "makes for a delightful instructor".

[20] In Vice, Nicole Clark writes that by showcasing the inner workings of family homes, the show has unintentionally highlighted differing gender expectations towards tidying and organizing households.

[22] Others have been on the fence, like Kristin van Ogtrop from Time, who wrote about the "completely bananas" method Kondo employs, suggesting that while necessary items should still be kept around, it is still a worthwhile endeavor to mentally refocus on what brings one joy.