“Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor. It’s anything that stands between you and the life you want to be living.” This quote by Peter Walsh cuts to the heart of why home organization matters. It’s not just about tidying up, it’s about reclaiming your time, energy, and focus.
Why Home Organization Books Are Worth Your Time
The best home organization books offer more than just checklists and tips. They dig deeper, helping you understand why clutter accumulates and how to prevent it from creeping back into your life. Books like Atomic Habits by James Clear or The Home Edit Life by Clea Shearer go beyond the surface level. They connect daily habits to your long-term goals and bring order to your surroundings in ways that fit your lifestyle.
One of the great things about these books is their flexibility. They don’t expect you to fit into a one-size-fits-all system. Instead, they teach you how to develop an organizing style that works for you. For example, Atomic Habits is all about making small, easy changes that snowball into big results. It's a game-changer for anyone struggling to stay organized.
Actionable Tips from Top Organization Books
Let’s dive into some practical tips from the best home organization books:
Start Small
Whether you’re decluttering your entire house or just one room, starting small is key. In How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis, she emphasizes starting with just five minutes of tidying. Once you get going, it’s easier to keep the momentum. Take a timer, clean for five minutes, and stop if you need to. It’s okay to take baby steps.
Use Bins, Baskets, and Labels
The Home Edit Life promotes the use of simple but effective tools like clear bins and baskets to categorize your items. Add labels to give each item a designated home. This prevents future clutter because everything has its place, and you’ll always know where to find things.
Prioritize What You Really Need
Matt Paxton’s Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff takes a deep dive into emotional attachment to items. His advice? Focus on keeping items that hold genuine memories, not just things you’ve held on to out of habit. Once you start letting go of excess, you’ll realize how much easier it is to organize what you truly care about.
Create Daily Habits
Organizing is not a one-time event. It’s a habit. James Clear’s Atomic Habits teaches us to build simple, repeatable systems into our daily routine. A great habit to start with? Spend 10 minutes each evening returning items to their designated spots. This small daily investment saves hours of tidying up later.
Digitize Paperwork
Still drowning in paper? Lisa Woodruff’s The Paper Solution offers a fantastic system for digitizing paperwork. Scan important documents, organize them into digital folders, and shred what’s no longer needed. Not only does this free up physical space, but it also makes documents easier to access whenever you need them.
Quick Hacks to Stay Organized
Staying organized doesn’t have to be complicated—try these quick, simple hacks to keep your home clutter-free with minimal effort.
Keep a Donation Box Handy
Set up a permanent donation bin in your home. Anytime you come across something you no longer need, toss it in the bin. Once it’s full, donate it to a local charity.
Set a Clutter-Free Timer
Spend 10-15 minutes each weekend on a clutter sweep. Move through your home quickly, putting items back in their place or discarding anything that no longer serves a purpose.
One-In, One-Out Rule
This is a great strategy from minimalist guides. Every time you bring a new item into your home, make sure you get rid of something else. It keeps your space in balance and prevents overaccumulation.
How to Take Action in Your Own Home
You don’t need to read every home organization book out there, but even one can shift your mindset. Whether you’re focusing on simplifying your space or making your day-to-day routines more efficient, these books offer a wealth of practical, actionable advice. The key takeaway? Organizing your home is an ongoing process, but the right systems can make it much easier to maintain.
Start Creating the Organized Home You Deserve!
At Organize by Flo, we believe that a well-organized home is a foundation for a more peaceful life. But getting there can be tricky. That’s where a few good books can make all the difference! Whether you’re battling piles of paperwork, struggling with closet chaos, or simply looking for a more streamlined routine, the right book can offer both inspiration and practical advice. Feeling inspired but need a little extra help getting started? We can take those tips and create a plan that works for your unique space. Our professional team is here to help you take your home from cluttered to calm—without the overwhelm. Contact us today for a consultation and start transforming your home into a space you love!
I'm a huge fan of James Clear and especially of Atomic Habits, but am particularly delighted to see that you included advice from KC Davis, whom I believe is a great comfort to so many of our (prospective) clients suffering from depression, anxiety, and other chronic disorders. I found Matt's book offered great insight for those overwhelmed by digging out their own, or a family member's lifetime of possessions. While I found Home Edit Life to be a little too aesthetically-oriented for my clients, all told, these are great mini-reviews to encourage readers to get support and wisdom for making necessary changes.
Thanks for sharing highlights from these two books. Many people recommend Atomic Habits, but I haven't heard of The Home Edit Life.
I love your quick reviews of your favorite organizing books! Many cover the how-tos, but my favorites dive deep into the whys. Our habits and patterns are behavior driven. Without that understanding and awareness, change is more elusive.
Great post, Flo! I love that you mentioned to have a donation box handy. When it is visible and labeled we are more likely to use it. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and these amazing books. My favorite one is James Clear's Atomic Habits. It was a game changer for me and my clients.