☘️ You NEED To Read These Decluttering Books To Level Up • My Top 5 Favourite Decluttering Books

☘️ There are a tonne of decluttering books out there so how do you decide which ones are the best? From my experience, these books on minimalism and minimalist living have the most to offer in terms of next level decluttering results.
Each of these taught me a valuable lesson that not only made my decluttering journey so much smoother, but also helped break a shopping habit so I could actually maintain a clutter-free home.
👉🏻 THE BOOKS I RECOMMEND (Amazon affiliate links)
• The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: amzn.to/36srFT2
• The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: amzn.to/3k035kb
• The Clutter Connection: amzn.to/3yJiZ6Q
• The Art of Discarding: amzn.to/3xxE5Vp
• Goodbye, Things: amzn.to/36tZ7s6
• The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k: amzn.to/3A2PAFG
👉🏻 THE BOOKS YOU RECOMMENDED WHEN I ASKED ON INSTAGRAM (Amazon affiliate links)
• Decluttering At The Speed Of Life: amzn.to/3ngqu2x
• How To Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind: amzn.to/3C18Vrz
• The Joy Of Less: amzn.to/3k2Pb0B
• The Minimalist Home: amzn.to/3yRtVyQ
• Stuff Happens: amzn.to/3l7a1Ls
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Must-read decluttering books when you want to declutter your home

[@belindagritter1572]

Going to add a dissenting opinion about the death cleaning idea. My parents were 60+ year antique collectors with packrat tendencies after the Great Depression. When they passed in their 80’s, as an only child it fell to me to clean out two large homes and my kids did the 2 storage units. Going through all that stuff, thankfully we were retired then, took three months of going through their lives. It was in many ways so therapeutic! It helped me appreciate their lives, remember my childhood through the things we had at home back then, and gave me the opportunity to set aside some things for each of my boys that would be like a hug from their grandparents. I kept some meaningful things to me too. In the end I came to these conclusions: 1. I felt so privileged to glimpse into their lives and relive part of my own. 2. The overwhelming amount of stuff I did not want to have to find a place for in my home. 3. No matter how valuable it is, it had to be worthy of the valuable real estate that is my home. 4. A friend advised me to take pictures of sentimental items that I did not want to part with but also didn’t have room for (like the painted red desk my mom’s Uncle Mike made for her that sat in my grandma’s kitchen all of my life). I did that and now I have a photo album of The Johnson Estate where I can look at those things anytime I want. Only one regret, the grandfather clock that I had a place for but the hubs said no so I decided to let it go. I kept a lot of other furniture pieces that I love and use. Bonus: when the kids were getting rid of the storage unit stuff at our garage sale, they decided that the retro leather couch and chair should go in the family room in our new place so it got a new lease on life and cost us nothing. I need my stuff around me. Bare walls make me want to scream, “You are living in a monk’s cell! This is not a monestary!” LOL

[@kwlancaster1804]

Goodbye Things was an amazing book. What influenced ME in that was a story he told about an earthquake in which things went flying around. Stuff was really killing and injuring people. Your stuff doesn’t love you back. That was the push I needed.

[@pameehanson3866]

Decluttering at the Speed of life by Dana White (she also did another book that is good 😊) , Peter Walsh, of course Marie Kondo, and your channel helps the journey. Thanks for sharing

[@HowToGYST]

Yes, Dana's books were recommended a lot when I asked on Instagram. She's wonderful.

[@myraaitken8954]

I'd forgotten about Peter Walsh! I remember seeing videos of his years ago. Thanks for reminding me. 😊

[@FilippaSkog]

Yes! Dana White’s book is a really good read!

[@ravenstormchild6491]

Peter Walsh and Cleansweep was my first aha! moment…

[@abbyh.593]

I love Swedish Death Cleaning. I re-read it at least once a year.

[@treehuggercathy]

I agree with these and the Instagram ones too. Dana K White's container concept leveled up my decluttering game - you might love them all, but they don't all fit so choosing only your favourites.

[@pameehanson3866]

The container method helped me realize you can’t cram 1200 ft of stuff into a 960 ft apartment😩 So I start with the size of apt means less furniture, the amount of closets and cupboards and the containers for these spaces. If you have too many stray items I have too much for my container 😂😂😂

[@aileentoomey9627]

Two more wonderful decluttering books are: Clutterbusting by Brooks Palmer, and Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui by Karen Kingston. Brooks has helped many people to declutter, and these are interesting stories that he has shared. Very insightful, and entertaining. Karen discusses how the location of your clutter, and the energy that it emits affects you. Loved the Nagisa Tatsumi book as well. She added something like..if it all will go into the landfill (anyway, at the end of your life), why not enjoy a decluttered home Now. Thanks for sharing these wonderful books!

[@dianeyoung8068]

I loved Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui.

[@patriciam1550]

Excellent! Very motivating. I would include Dana K. White Decluttering at the speed of life.

[@LB-vl3qn]

I love your hair short! You have the bone structure for it and it just really suits your personality. Thanks for the book suggestions. ~ Lisa

[@MoonSpinners]

I was just thinking that. 🙂

[@Claycat4]

The first book I ever read about decluttering was Clutter's Last Stand by Don Aslett. It is probably still my favorite. It is so well loved, it is falling apart. I love anything that Joshua Becker has written or put on KZbin. He wrote The More of Less. Brooks Palmer wrote a great book called Clutter Busting. I also like Dana K. White's Decluttering at the Speed of Life and her great videos.

[@leonacoburn5852]

That is a good one( Don Aslett).

[@findingaway5512]

I did the audiobook of Marie Kondos through KZbin. 🙂 So if anybody's not a reader definitely consider audiobook versions if you can.

[@findingaway5512]

I agree with her about her energy. I definitely love her energies very calm and so positive like she's definitely feels uplifting.

[@janecoder1]

My gosh yes, it's all going to be trash one day- took my breath away. I may never but anything else again. I'm saving this You tube so I can keep going back to see your list. My memory retains nothing new anymore so you can ask me to describe the inside of my kindergarten room from 60 years ago but dont ask me to repeat much of what I just heard. Thank you for sharing this story.

[@HowToGYST]

I also have a terrible memory. 🙂 And yes, the "it's all going to a landfill" was a game-changing statement for me. What an eye-opener, eh?

[@janecoder1]

@@HowToGYST yes! When you look at things this way. That being said there is a fair amount of stuff I have that I wonder if there is any point in actually making an intermediate stop to the thrift shop? Maybe I should just get some one to drag some boxes into the driveway and put them on fb as "free sale"

[@juliemix3373]

Laura, This is such a fun vlog. I've read most of the books you recommended, but for me Marie Kondo's first book made the biggest difference in my life and has had the most lasting influence. I found Clutter Bugs breakdown so very helpful in living with other people. I'm really enjoying reading the comments from others on this vlog. Lots of new recommended reads. I just love organization books. Love your short hair. So very cute on you. Cheers

[@FilippaSkog]

Love all the books you recommended. I was late to the Clutterbug party too, just found her this year and aside from the KonMari method her organising theory/ method is probably the one that’s had the biggest impact on my home. It was brilliant to learn that I’m a cricket and my husband and daughter are both ladybugs. Finally I understand how to organise things in a way that they can actually maintain! I’m curious to see what my newborn little buglet will be. One book that wasn’t particularly mind blowing or eye opening but sort of a cozy light read for me was The Year of Less by Cait Flanders, where she tells the story of her journey from being stuck in consumerism to a mindful sort of… well, minimalist I guess. The audiobook is read by the author which I always enjoy. As usual, love from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@judithe9076]

My first one on decluttering is from german author Werner Tiki Küstenmacher "Simplify your life", it is not only about things, but all aspects of life. I love it and is one of the physical books I kept on my journey of decluttering.

[@kimberlygray227]

Yay for using your library!

[@HannahRainbow88]

Totally agree with your top 3 and the bonus one 😍 (Not read the other 2 but loved your summary). Cas was where it all started for me, over a decade ago on her previous channel. Anywho, the whole "intentional living" vibe is my goal too rather than having X number of items in a backpack. I'd also like to mention The Minimalists' "Packing Party" concept if you don't know where to start: Box up everything like moving, unpack items when you use them, donate the rest (akin to limbo boxes). It can help if you get analysis paralysis and overwhelm as the stuff stays hidden in the meantime, so is easier to get rid of when time's up... Less wasteful than torching the lot too, as starting from scratch as can be so tempting! 😂 Sending virtual hugs and best wishes to you Laura xXx

[@findingaway5512]

Hey! There's the short hair! Do you love having it back? Looks great I bet it feels so freeing!!!! Though I do love it long also. ❤️ you definitely can pull off all the looks!

[@DanielleBest]

Let it Go by Peter Walsh is pretty dang good too. Asks you about how you view your life and do the things you have represent that. Also helpful info if you are trying to de-clutter someone else's stuff, like a parent, and decluttering in groups (like with your siblings). So more than just personal decluttering but it nevertheless gets to the heart of the matter in the first couple chapters.

[@a.b.1184]

I asked my dad before he passed. It was probably the hardest thing I ever asked him. For both of us. His answer was plain and simple: My books. Even after asking that I've had a hard time letting go of all other stuff but I keep the books extra dear to me and try to remind me of his answer even if books are heavy and there are plenty :-D

[@kathleenkline4622]

Unf*ck Your Habitat by Rachel Hoffman is one of my favorites...the subtitle is You're Better than Your Mess. Practical information presented in a humorous style. My partner and I are both Butterflies, with serious packrat tendencies and magpie overtones.

[@catepolacek]

Really loved your take on this in terms of it’s not just a “once-and-done” deal, but something you revisit over time and tweak as your life changes and your circumstances and thinking change.

[@cathughes110]

How did I know exactly what the honourable mention was going to be! 😄 I've read that one countless times too, it's one of the best, like truly helpful, no bullsh*t advice from a friend 🙌 the recommendations sound great too! I'll definitely have a look into those! Except KonMari 🤭 since she started my decluttering journey too, a few years back! Love the videos, keep them coming!

[@chocogirl30]

Ooh, nice! Two new titles for me:) Thank you! I'm almost done with "Goodbye, Things" and I do think he takes things to far. I have zero ambition to end with only one towel that I'd have to use for both my body and my dishes, nor would I like to not have a living room or a couch because I could use my local coffee shop in that same way. However, he does make a lot of other, less extreme, points that make it worth a read. Besides, there is something to be said for reading a declutter book that I can in fact declutter after I finish it ;)

[@W0WHERMY]

That intro was spot on 2ith what I'm looking for THANK YOU!!

[@myxochi]

Laura, you never cease to give me more. I totally agree with each of you rec’d books but I had never know about the “honourable mention”. I will get that from the library ASAP. Now, why don’t you and I write one. We’ve both been at this for about 6-7 years, we both have the same bug style as do our hubbies, I taught law and you were in the field, we’re both introverts (albeit you are a performing extrovert; ergo KZbin. Let’s talk Your Canadian gal pal. 🇨🇦🌲👯‍♂️

[@booknerdcatlady]

Hi Laura! Love the chop ☺️. Death cleaning is a concept that really hit home for me in covid times. I have two elderly parents and a grandmother with late stage Alzheimer’s. Had to have the talk with my mom about what will happen to her stuff the day she passes. It’s such a burden to deal with stuff when you’re grieving, especially if the home it’s contained in is a rental.

[@sherreads1081]

The first book that really helped me back in the 90s was The Messies Manual by Sandra Felton. Great topic, thanks.🙂

[@leonacoburn5852]

Loved that one!

[@findingaway5512]

There's so much value in scene different ways that people declutter their items or organize their homes. It is great to take everything you see and learn and then apply to your life what resonates to you and your individual home, family, lives, personality, organizing style of what works for you and fits where you are in The season that you are because that also has I have realized can change a whole lot.

[@helenapayne3414]

Thank you! Love this inspiring list and your presentation of the books! Clear and inspiring

[@veronikam3836]

Great choice of books! You really covered every aspect of decluttering and minimalism.

[@lizallewellyn4145]

The book that really helped me to totally declutter everything (and teh only decluuter book I have ever heard) was "Clear your Clutter with Feng Shui" by Karen Kingston. I thought this was a little masterpiece and definitely a life-changer.

[@obragg1]

One of your best videos yet!👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@HowToGYST]

Thank you so much! 💖

[@flutterlybutterly6188]

I like The Toothbrush Principle - more of an organising book, but she does cover decluttering. Also The Clutter Diet. Great video.

[@triciaeugene8451]

Love the hair!! Great info!

[@sandralantau7395]

Thanks for sharing these additional books.

[@HowToGYST]

Glad you like them!

[@snorlaxjen]

How weird! I’ve not read the book but i thought that myself when I was recently going through some old stuff from my loft that came from my grandparents, my last grandparent, my gran passed away about 5 years ago and I’m now only getting to the point where I can get rid of things like her old costume jewellery and nice jewellery, and I came to the same conclusion that everything at one point will be in the bin, or of no use to someone, she had lots of nice rings that were stored in a box, I’m her only granddaughter and they are too small for me, they have no value so I will either have to eBay them or send them off to be melted down for cash. I have old “hoarding” tendencies and only now getting to the point of “this will be in the bin one day”

[@minimalistserendipity4744]

Goodbye, things is my favourite. So much wisdom 🤔

[@emilycurtis4398]

A book I just discovered and want to read is called An Afrominimalist Guide to Living With Less by Christine Platt. I always love new perspectives

[@edelinprogress]

Great reviews. Off to check out the Clutterbug book.

[@myraaitken8954]

The Minimalist Home is currently for sale, for the Kindle version, for £2.49 on Amazon! Just in case anyone else was looking to purchase but not add to your bookshelves? Just bought it. 😊💕

[@HowToGYST]

Ooh, nice spot! Thanks. 😁

[@rebeccarendle3706]

Great vlog 👍.. So understand that idea concerning "everything ends as rubbish"... I try and only buy new stuff to replace things and only buy things I know I can recycle... But in Europe we can recycle 80+ percent of our stuff.

[@lizzyagatha]

best advice ever

[@HappyLiz123]

I love Karen Kingston clear you clutter with Feng Shui. She gets you to ask do I love it or do I use it? X

[@evajanssen5306]

Very interesting video!!

[@mrslhaldane306]

Oooh, have read several of these :D

[@HowToGYST]

Ahead of the game! 😁

[@findingaway5512]

The Clutter Connection is my favorite organizing book. I really love how she laid things out. I have crickets bees and butterflies in my like. My husband is a Cricket and I am a Butterfly. So completely understand.

[@valumen]

I did not read the Swedish Death Cleaning book, so for sure there lies my misunderstanding- but doesn‘t it contradict Marie Kondo? I mean this aspect: When I die, I want people to keep from my belongings what THEY want to keep, if anything at all. Otherwise I would dump my stuff onto them and make them feel guilty when some day they need to declutter. And if they don‘t know who I was in life, I do not need them to know after I died. But maybe I understood this all wrong. Maybe someone who read the book can tell me where I went wrong? Thank you!

[@Lovely-sv1ye]

Watching Dana K White on KZbin has helped me a lot! Also I have found your videos to be so inspiring. 🙏 ✨

[@bettywinslow6387]

Dana's decluttering without making a huge mess was so helpful!!

[@samantharokes2143]

Atomic Habits is also a great book. Will check out the Clutter Connection. I like Cassandra too. I am Lady Bug.

[@HowToGYST]

Oh yes, Atomic Habits is a great read.

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

Is brea liom dó chuid gruige!! Is ladybug mé. 🥰

[@lu_re7198]

I recommend “Unclutter Your Life” by Katherine Gibson. Her book also covers financial and emotional clutter.

[@HowToGYST]

Thanks so much for the suggestion. 😁

[@MetalSamantha]

My brother died very suddenly and unexpectedly in 2013. We were given a week to empty his flat and then the flat needed to be empty for the next tenant. We had no idea what was or wasn't important to him, and we didn't have time to think about it. It was horrendous. The Swedish Death Cleaning books sounds interesting I'm starting to declutter my own stuff at the moment. It's very freeing, but the more stuff I get rid off, the more stuff I realise I had

[@corrinagm483]

❤️ So sorry for your loss. Yes, read or even listen (great narration) to Swedish Death Cleaning. It helped me take on a new perspective of the items my husband and I have in our home. Stopping to consider who in our lives will likely be the person, or persons, dealing with them should both of us die was incredibly eye opening. Downsizing has commenced. And I have to admit, it feels good.

[@annatronson5927]

Hi Laura, 9:00 minutes into it on your desk is a stand holding your lap top. It looks like one I found in thrift shop. But where do I find those clips holding lap top in place?! Do you remember where you found it?!

[@HowToGYST]

Hi Anna! The clips came with the stand. I bought mine in Aldi. I have to say though, I don't find them necessary (and they can sometimes get in the way while typing). There is a lip on the front of the stand that stops the laptop from sliding off.

[@annatronson5927]

@@HowToGYST thanks so much … yes there is that…. On break from packing up kitchen. … ugh kitchen’s … always SO MUCH ! ( glad didn’t ditch that stand… can try to work it out… 👍🏾👍🏾🙏🙏🪶🪶

[@annatronson5927]

@@HowToGYST Aldi … a German Discount supermarket?! I looked it up! 🙂

[@HowToGYST]

@@annatronson5927 Best of luck with the packing.

[@trishtraynor]

Ooooo. Which one is best for someone who has dozens of buttons, paper clips and elastic bands? Erm, asking for a friend. 😏

[@findingaway5512]

Is that your little pup on your shirt? ❤️🐕

[@HowToGYST]

It is. 🙂 Sam bought it for me as a birthday gift.

[@findingaway5512]

@@HowToGYST awesome! And happy birthday again! ❤️🎂

[@loesvw312]

I googled the book about Swedish death cleaning and in my country they translated the title to 'The gentle art of Swedish cleaning'. Haha. Guess people here rather not be reminded of their death.

[@HowToGYST]

Interesting! I wonder how much the content has been changed. 🤔

[@hikerliz]

What was the footage of the terrace etc all about ?

[@HowToGYST]

It was to demonstrate a simpler way of life beyond just decluttering physical items. 🙂

[@kazstanton-smelt9919]

Why do you think the Japanese are so on top of this subject? Is it buried in Shinto or are they just naturally tidy?

[@t.s.611]

My guess is the size of homes here! I'm an expat living in Japan, and unless they've been handed down a large multi-generation house from older generations, most Japanese people live in smaller spaces--apartments or small houses. (Google says the average size home is about 1300 sq ft. in general, 980 in big cities. So about half the average size of US homes.)

[@findingaway5512]

It's all trash!!!! 😮 Yeah. It is.

[@HowToGYST]

What an eye-opener, eh? Completely changed my perspective.