5 Best Books on Decluttering that Will Help Inspire You to Declutter

Best Books About Decluttering to Inspire You to Declutter

Here are the best books on decluttering to help you choose the one that suits your purpose and style.

You are not alone if you feel it is time to ditch the clutter but need to figure out how to start or keep it up. Countless TV shows have aired on this topic, and there are thousands of books on decluttering, too.

The truth is that it can be more than a tad overwhelming to tackle decluttering head-on. Thankfully, you don’t have to.

When choosing a book on decluttering, it is wise to know what type of decluttering you wish to do. Are you making a shift to the minimalist? Are you removing old toys that your children no longer play with to make space for new ones or getting rid of excess stuff and things you no longer need or use? Your focus will determine which book becomes your guide.

We have reviewed several decluttering books for you and bring you our top selection. Based on a mixture of decluttering purposes, you will find the book that best suits your needs.

We recommend selecting only one and allowing that author to become your companion as you journey this path of decluttering your home. May the cleanliness be with you.

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Why Books About Decluttering?

If you are gearing up to declutter your home or other significant space, you are likely looking for inspiration and guidance. While watching videos and series can provide a worthwhile dose of inspiration, a book holds lasting value.

When you have a book, you can refer to it repeatedly. You can remind yourself of any points you have forgotten or missed, make notes from them, show chapters to others, and read them over and over again.

An interesting point that makes reading a book far superior to watching something is that when you read, you typically read in your own voice. Having your own voice telling you how to declutter your home is reassuring and assertive. It places you in the position of both the student and the teacher simultaneously.

Our Top 5 Books on Decluttering

We have selected our top picks of books on decluttering for you based on various decluttering styles and possible reasons for the purge.

See which one fits into your mold and allow it to guide you to a place of clearing and decluttering peace and happiness.

#1. Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff

Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff

This book, by Dana K. White, is light-hearted and written in a beautiful, humorous tone. Dana White takes the time to explain in detail what makes it challenging to let go of some of the things that cause clutter and how to overcome it.

She explains that we do not need to live consumed by our stuff and can rid ourselves of the excess possessions now and live clean going forward.

White frequently posts on her blog and demonstrates that she is also human and battles clutter in real life. It is not a one-time clean-out but an ongoing struggle, and you are not alone.

We love Decluttering at the Speed of Life for its relaxed, humorous approach that makes you realize you are not alone in this struggle.

#2. The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter (The Swedish Art of Living & Dying Series)

Have you ever wondered what will become of your things after you pass? In her outstanding book, Margareta Magnusson explains that your clutter burdens will be given to future generations if you do not deal with them in this lifetime.

Swedish death cleaning is an act of setting your home’s affairs in order before it is too late. While this may seem like a morbid way to approach decluttering, it is actually a rather liberating and beautiful act. One that can never be taken too early.

Magnusson writes with a joyous tone, and the entire process is one of extreme joy and love. Not only does she help you get rid of unwanted clutter, but she also helps you broach complex and sensitive topics with family members.

The book is funny, anecdotal, and honest, and Magnusson fully understands the sentimental value of objects we own now or have owned in the past.

We love The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning for its down-to-earth humor and surprising take on decluttering that will leave you laughing, crying, and smiling as you clear out your home for your own good and that of your family.

#3. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

This New York Times Bestseller by Marie Kondo has gained popularity, a Netflix series, and many memes.

Marie Kondo takes the art of decluttering to the next level, using Japanese methodology to live in a minimalist way. She has created her own method, dubbed the KonMari Method, and invites you to tidy and declutter your home once and for all.

She believes that once you have implemented her principles, you will not find yourself in a cluttered space again.

We love this book because of Kondo’s almost simplistic view of decluttering. Does the item spark joy? Great, keep it. If it does not, let it go.

Like most great values of the Japanese culture, Kondo’s views are clean, neat, and disciplined. We appreciate that when it comes to cleaning and tidying.

If you are serious about cleaning your home and keeping it that way, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up could be the best fit.

#4. Declutter Like a Mother: A Guilt-Free, No-Stress Way to Transform Your Home and Life

Declutter Like a Mother: A Guilt-Free, No-Stress Way to Transform Your Home and Your Life

Allie Casazza became a mom and suddenly found herself swimming in many emotions. Unfortunately, they weren’t the soft and cuddly emotions she had expected. They were feelings of inadequacy.

After much introspection, she found that her overcrowded environment was draining her energy, enthusiasm, and creativity. She became mindful of what she allowed in the space around her and found her way to her family’s abundant life.

“Declutter Like a Mother” is Casazza’s first book and is written from her experiences in living more simply. She has gained a huge following and a successful business.

We love Declutter Like a Mother for its Millennial-style irreverence and relatable tone. The advice is easy to follow and actionable. Geared toward moms, we enjoy the anecdotes about parenthood and love knowing that we are not alone in our clutter struggles with toy boxes and the like.

#5. Inheriting Clutter: How To Calm The Chaos Your Parent Leave Behind

Inheriting Clutter: How to Calm the Chaos Your Parents Leave Behind

Julie Hall says it best in this bare-all book. What happens when you are left with too much? Hall, known as the “Estate Lady,” explains how to deal with a range of matters relating to inherited clutter in this book.

Among other topics, she explains how to deal with:

Fighting among siblings
Cleaning out the family home in a month or less
Identifying potentially valuable items in the home
Preparing your own children for the future

This book is a helpful guide and shares real-life experiences from years in the field. It also contains checklists for you to follow when working through the tasks.

We recommend Inheriting Clutter if you are in this particular situation. It gives practical steps to follow to honor your parents’ belongings, keep the peace in your family, and protect yourself and your family from clutter and fighting in the future.

How to Use Decluttering Books

To make the most of your book on decluttering, we recommend following some or all of these steps:

Decide on the Reason for Your Decluttering.

Are you making a long-term change for your home or wanting to rid your house of unwanted items that have somehow lodged themselves there? Do you want to make a shift in your lifestyle to become less cluttered and more minimalist? Have you been left with inherited goods and are unsure of your next step?

Read Reviews of Decluttering Books and See Which Suits Your Reason for Decluttering

The book you select should ultimately match your reason for decluttering. If you are simply aiming to declutter inherited items and the book you choose speaks of a minimalist lifestyle, you may not find what you are looking for.

Select a Book that Matches Your Personality and Style

When choosing your decluttering book, opt for one that makes you feel like you are chatting with a friend or kindred spirit.

If you do not understand many of the words the author uses or feel patronized or misunderstood, you are unlikely to follow through on the advice. Go for a book that feels friendly and speaks “your” language. It should be an easy read, and you should enjoy following the author’s direction.

How to Use Books for Decluttering

Feel free to make notes and revisit chapters. When using a decluttering book, use it like a guidebook or journal.

We are full-on believers in making notes, highlighting important sections, and leaving bookmarks or dog-eared pages in these books. Decluttering books are like field guides. Use them on the go, and get them dirty. Visit and revisit the pages you need the most and gain as much as possible from the wisdom of your new companion.

The Best Books on Decluttering – Conclusion

Many decluttering books on the market are valuable and worth purchasing. We have listed our five favorite picks for you, and each serves a different purpose, depending on your decluttering needs and style.

We recommend you find a book that matches your intent and your style and tone. Ensure that you relate to the author, and you will likely have success in your decluttering project.