The Kanban Method Could Be the Secret to Organizing Your Home and Your Life — Here's How to Use It
Transform your disorganized home into a clean and confident one with this time-honored Japanese principle


Maintaining an organized environment is intrinsically linked to living a little easier. But let's be real: Eventually, things do get muddled and disorganized, and finding your way back to a zen home without the mess is not always as straightforward as we'd like.
If you're looking for easy home organization ideas to implement in your space but aren't sure where to begin, let me introduce you to the Kanban method. It is the perfect stepping stone to start your home transformation.
You may not have known about this technique until now or perhaps you've heard whispers about it before but haven't fully immersed yourself in the principle. And not to sound cult-ish, but by the end of this, perhaps you'll be a Kanban convertee.
How to Use the Kanban Method
{rofessional organizer Di Ter Avest tells us that Kanban, literally meaning signboard in Japanese, was originally developed by an industrial engineer at Toyota as a production system in Japan.
She further explains that the Kanban method is a straightforward and visual approach to managing tasks and workflows.
"It uses a board divided into columns that represent stages of a process, such as 'To Do,' 'In Progress,' and 'Done', where tasks are written on cards or sticky notes and moved from one column to the next as progress is made," she notes. "This simple system helps people visualize their workload, prioritize tasks, and keep everything organized at a glance."
As home organization trends go, Di finds that the Kanban method is a highly visual organizational tool that can be easily adapted for personal or home use.
She tells us that it allows you to streamline tasks and manage workflow in a way that suits your unique needs and preferences.
What are the Benefits of the Kanban Method?
Home organization expert Meaghan Kessman also explains that the primary advantage of the Kanban method is increased clarity. "By breaking down tasks into manageable stages, you can easily track progress and prevent juggling too many tasks simultaneously," she says. "It's also so satisfying to move completed tasks to the 'Completed' column."
Di tells us that the Kanban method helps you stay focused by visually organizing tasks, making it easy to see what needs attention and reducing mental clutter. "It can boost productivity by limiting multitasking, so you finish one task before starting another," she points out. Methods like this are especially helpful if you prefer organizing your home in under 30 minutes while working in bursts.
Sharing a similar sentiment to Meaghan, Di also tells us that the most inspiring aspect is seeing progress from "To Do" to "Done," which can be a powerful motivator — and we're in complete agreement.
Which Rooms Can I Use the Kanban Method for?
While most organizing rules apply to a majority of home zones, some rules work better when applied to specific rooms. So we asked the experts which rooms are most Kanban compatible and here's what they had to say.
Kitchens: Meaghan tells us that the Kanban method can be used for kitchen organization to track meal planning, grocery lists, and kitchen chores.
Home offices: "The Kanban method is perfect for managing work tasks or personal projects in a home office," notes Di. "Use it to keep track of daily organizational to-dos, deadlines, and long-term goals."
Laundry rooms: "Organize laundry stages to maintain a smooth flow without overwhelming piles," says Meaghan. She finds that the Kanban method is a nifty hack to employ if you're learning how to organize a laundry room.
On the surface, the Kanban method may not seem like an organizational genius but in a way, the fact that it operates off organization only makes the output stronger. And if you ask us, making a Kanban board is a clever first step to organizing your living space.
The flexible yet planned approach to organization is precisely what makes it a trusted technique among plenty of professional organizers, including both Di and Meaghan.
With the foundation all laid out, you can also make your own Kanban board and begin your home organization journey. And if you start now, you'll clear tons of tasks off your roster by the time the holiday season is in full swing.
Price: $28
Format: Hardcover
LifeStyled: Your Guide to a More Organized & Intentional Life by Shira Gill brings forth advice from a professional decluttering expert on how to transform your space and life with the help of efficient organization.
Price: $26
Format: Hardcover
We came across 'Tidy Up Your Life: Rethinking How to Organize and Declutter and Make Space for What Matters Most' by Tyler Moore on Walmart and found that it's a brilliant guide for how to declutter when you're overwhelmed.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletters are your inside source for what’s shaping interiors now - and what’s next. Discover trend forecasts, smart style ideas, and curated shopping inspiration that brings design to life. Subscribe today and stay ahead of the curve.

Amiya is a Home Wellness Writer at Livingetc. She recently graduated with a Masters Degree in Magazine Journalism from City, University of London, and has lent her words to beauty, fashion, and health sections of lifestyle publications including Harper’s Bazaar and Women’s Health. Her experience as a research analyst has equipped her with an eye for emerging trends. When she’s off the clock, she can be found reading, listening to music, or overanalyzing her latest Co-Star update.
-
I'd Have Never Thought Mid-Century Modern Style Would Work So Well for a Bathroom — But These 10 Examples Prove They're a Match Made in Heaven
The mid-century look gets a modern makeover in these stunning bathroom projects, all handpicked by the experts
-
Off to 3daysofdesign? These Are the Coolest Things to Do and See in Copenhagen This Week
We've broken down everything you should know ahead of the festival, from interactive installations to culinary pop-ups and more
-
How to Reset Your Home for Summer — 8 Tasks for the Next Month to Bring Calm Back to Your Rooms
Get your home back in neutral gear ahead of the busy summer months with this easy checklist of what to prep ahead of the holidays
-
Everyone's Swapping Their Cotton and Linen Bedding for Bamboo — This Is Why, and Where to Buy the Sets That Look Just as Good
Design-forward brands are launching bamboo bedding, a 'smart fabric' that might just make you sleep more soundly across the seasons
-
I'm Following This Interior Designer's Method for Growing Supermarket Basil Into Giant Plants — They Look Incredible in Her Kitchen
When it comes to getting basil plants to grow big and bushy, it's all about hydrating it the right way
-
6 Lessons in How to Hang Scarves From Closet Organizers That Will Make Your Wardrobe Feel So Much More Aesthetic and Elevated
These clever tips will keep your scarves in shape for the perfect finishing touch to your summer outfits
-
What to Declutter for Summer — 7 Areas That Need Your Attention Now
These seasonal decluttering tasks will help restore freshness to your home as you head into the summer season
-
This Classic Hallway Layout Could Be Ruining Your Home's Feng Shui — Hint: It's All to Do With Your Stairs
If you value the energy of your home, this is a crucial space to pay attention to
-
Alexa, Hit The Lights — These Smart Outdoor Lighting Options Are a Garden Game-Changer
Make illuminating your outdoor space that much easier to control by going all-in on Alexa-enabled garden lighting — this is what to know and what to buy
-
Did You Know 'Summer Insomnia' Is a Thing? Here's What's Keeping You From Drifting Off, and How to Beat It
Leave the counting of sheep to cartoons and pick up these sleep expert-approved tips for the summer season instead