3 brilliant decluttering books that home organizing pros swear by – you'll easily and quickly streamline your space whilst rethinking your relationship with 'stuff'
Take inspiration from those who know it all


Whether you're an amateur or avid 'declutter-er,' books on the subject are a great place to source inspiration, motivation, and relaxation.
Stuffed full with the very best decluttering methods, it turns out that, just like us, even our professional organizers turn to the best decluttering books for novel tips and tricks to test out when helping their clients.
Here, they share their top recommendations for getting stuck into.
Top three decluttering books professional organizers love
1. 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,' by Marie Kondo
With a cult following, it's really no surprise that Marie Kondo's bestselling books have found their way onto my own bookshelves.
While I'm certainly no professional organizer, I do spend the majority of my working life interviewing experts who are and have become somewhat of an expert.
After being gifted Marie Kondo's The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, available at Amazon, from family, I can safely say that it deserves all the hype it gets. So much so that I dedicated an entire article to the lessons I learned from Marie Kondo's book!
Filled with revolutionary insight and detailed guidance, and dubbed one of the most 'influential books of the decade' by CNN, it doesn't seem like Marie's supersonic career will be slowing anytime soon.
After reading this small but mighty book, I now keep her mantra of 'Sparking Joy' in mind whenever I declutter anything, from clothes to purses to books to cosmetics, and even employ Marie Kondo's tips for tidying before hosting every time I have guests on the way.
Plus, the book looks beautiful enough to display!
2. 'Organizing from the Inside Out,' by Julie Morgenstern
Organizing by category, rather than room-by-room, gives you a clear overview of what you have, and what you can declutter.
Ben Soreff, professional organizer at House to Home Organizing, says, 'There are basic central tenets of organizing that are so core, that most organizing books are just derivatives of the original books.'
His recommendation? Organizing from the Inside Out: The Foolproof System For Organizing Your Home, Your Office and Your Life available at Amazon, written by Julie Morgenstern, who has over 30 years of experience helping people understand and implement organization around the globe.
'Julie Morgenstern uses the SPACE method, which is so key that most other methods are just versions of it,' he explains.
The SPACE method is a home organizing idea and variation of the KonMari method, which focuses on organizing by category, rather than room by room. This helps swerve any KonMari method mistakes to avoid.
3. 'The Year of Less,' by Cait Flanders
Your decluttering books can make great decor, too, seen here with this beautiful, curated bookshelf.
We've all, I'm sure, at some point in our lives found ourselves wrestling with over-consumerism. This is something that has come to the forefront of my mind after turning 25, and I'm not the only one.
The 'underconsumption trend,' took TikTok and other social media outlets by storm last year, with Gen Z adopting a more conscious approach when it comes to shopping.
This consumerism cycle is what led Cait Flanders to challenge herself to buy only consumer for an entire 12 months, documented in her book The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store available at Amazon.
Tracy McCubbin, CEO and founder of dClutterfly has read and recommends it. She says, 'While this book isn’t full of decluttering tips, it’s a wonderfully written book on letting go of your stuff and living with less.
'Besides the beautiful introspection, it tells the story of what the decluttering journey looks like and what real-life benefits come from living with less,' championing the undeniable benefits of a tidy home.
More great decluttering books
Here, Tracy shares how to successfully overcome decluttering roadblocks by getting to the root of the problem and achieve a clutter-free, minimalist home.
If you're a visual learner, I also have and love this book for illustrated tips on all things folding, organizing and decluttering.
With helpful tips on decluttering 101, and individual advice for all areas around the home, from bedrooms to outdoor storage ideas, experts Lesley Spellman and Ingrid Jansen share their step-by-step method for resetting your home without fuss or stress.
Meet our experts

Ben has significant experience with level five hoarders, which has often lead him to rely on advice found in his favorite decluttering books.

As a successful author herself, Tracy has been professionally decluttering and organizing since 2006.
Not a reader? Chiana Dickson, content editor on Solved here at Homes & Gardens, recently watched The Minimalist's Netflix Show Less is Now, and says it has 'fundamentally changed' how she feels about her 'harmless' shopping.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.

Ottilie joined Homes & Gardens last year, after finishing a Master's in Magazine Journalism at City, University of London. With previous contributions in Livingetc and Motorsport Magazine, she produces content for the Solved section on the website, focusing on clever tips and tricks to keep your home beautiful, organized and clean. She also has a Master's degree in English Literature and History of Art from the University of Edinburgh, where she developed a love for inspiring interiors and architecture.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
-
Looking to upgrade your curb appeal? Martha Stewart learned this exterior paint technique from someone who worked on St Patrick's Cathedral
Decades ago, Martha transformed her porch with ultra-simple yet timeless paint tips from her father's cousin – her advice still rings true today
-
I'm a home tech editor, and I always used to put off cleaning my sofas until I started using this tiny handheld vacuum (which is now on sale)
This simple but powerful handheld vacuum from Black+Decker has transformed my living room
-
The 'Dissolving' Caterpillar Decluttering Method encourages you to shed old patterns, not just get rid of stuff – here's why the experts encourage it
Align your space to your habits and goals with this mindful decluttering method
-
This is exactly how long you should wait before getting rid of important paperwork – with just 1 crucial exception
Plus, how best to store each type
-
I tried the ‘Memory Box’ decluttering method for sentimental items and finally managed to choose style over clutter in my compact living room
My home now looks chic and curated
-
5 places people always forget to declutter before moving – tackling these ‘time-sinks’ will reduce your packing by at least 25%
Making moving less stressful by decluttering these areas before packing
-
'Don't overcomplicate it' – 3 golden rules for a clutter-free garage this summer
Streamline your space by perfecting your storage solutions
-
The simple 'Floor Decluttering Method' easily reduced visual mess in my small, open-plan living space and was so impactful
This method is without a doubt one of the best I've come across so far
-
This one clever consideration in the French L'art de Ranger decluttering method makes it the ‘quiet luxury’ of home organization
Factoring in beauty made my home office a space I want to spend time in
-
12 things that feel illegal to declutter, and why it's OK to let them go
From printed photos to family heirlooms, home organization pros reveal what you can wave goodbye to, and how to let them go