How to Declutter Books: A 4 Step Guide to Lighter, Happier Shelves
- Sue Spencer
- Aug 12
- 8 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
If your bookshelves are groaning under the weight of good intentions and forgotten paperbacks, you're not alone. Decluttering books can feel like letting go of old friends, but it doesn't have to be heartbreaking or hard work.
I like to think of book collections as a window into our lives. They reflect our personality, interests, and aspirations. Whether you're a bookworm or a book hoarder, chances are you've got a shelf (or ten) filled with stories you've loved, books you plan to read, and ones you feel you should have read by now.
But here's the thing... those overflowing shelves start to gather dust and can become a heavy burden, saying more about your past life than your present one. As a professional organiser, I've seen it time and time again: clients who love reading, but whose overwhelming book collections are causing more stress than joy. The good news? A few focused hours spent decluttering your books can free up space in your home and your mind (plus you might even make a little money along the way).
In this guide, I'll explain:
Decluttering your books is a part of your rightsizing journey. It's about making space for the stories and knowledge that have a place in your current life, not the one you've outgrown. Keep reading for a practical, step-by-step guide to help you declutter your book collection with purpose and confidence.
First, a Word About Marie Kondo and the "30 Book" Myth
When Marie Kondo mentioned she only kept 30 books, some people panicked. But Marie wasn't suggesting that this was a universal rule, it was just the right number for her. If you're someone who finds joy in a library of 300 or even 3,000 books, that's absolutely fine... as long as those books still serve you.
One of my roles as a KonMari Master Consultant is to guide my clients through the process of deciding what to keep as they declutter their homes. The KonMari Method isn't about minimalism or numbers - it's about living with the things that spark joy, feel relevant, or serve a genuine purpose in your life today. Decluttering your books isn't about giving up the things you love. It's about making room for what matters so you can truly enjoy it.
Why is it so hard to declutter books compared to other items
There's a reason book decluttering can feel more difficult than sorting through clothes or kitchen gadgets. Books are deeply personal and tied to our identity, nostalgia, and aspirations in unique ways:
They represent who we used to be – university days, career ambitions, parenting phases
They hold knowledge and memories – books contain whole worlds, ideas, and experiences. There's a sense that by keeping them, we're preserving access to that knowledge, even if we never actually revisit it
They feel valuable – book ownership is culturally seen as good. "You can never have too many books" makes it feel wrong to let them go
They carry guilt – the "someday" pile, half-read novels, the unread self-help stack that silently judges us
They remind us of people – gifts from loved ones, shared reads with friends, recommendations we promised to follow
Your permission slip - Remember, letting go of books doesn't diminish the value they once brought to your life - you probably aren't the same person you were when they first came into your home. Many people discover that releasing books that no longer serve them actually increases their reading frequency and enjoyment.
Your Step-by-Step Book Decluttering Guide
If you're ready to give your bookshelf a refresh, here's the process to follow:
Step 1 Gather All Your Books in One Place
Collect all your books (yes all of them!) from around your home - take them off bookcases, kitchen shelves, window sills, from beside the bed and out of bags. Bringing everything together in one central space in your home helps you understand the full volume of books you own (you'll be surprised just how many squeeze onto a bookshelf), identify duplicates and make it easier to choose what you want to keep, rather than what to discard.
Pro organising tip: Books gather dust—open a window and have a duster handy before you begin. Be mindful of the weight when moving piles of books around, consider using a basket or tub to transport them safely.
Step 2 Sort Books by Category
Group books into categories, such as: Fiction, Non-fiction, Cookbooks, Travel, Reference, Children's books and Coffee table books.
Take a moment to look at the groups you've created. What do they say about you? Are there clusters around topics like wellness, hobbies, or career development? Do you notice any overlaps - perhaps you've collected several books by the same author or have multiple copies on the same subject - do they still feel relevant to your current lifestyle?
Step 3 Declutter Each Category One Book at a Time
Choose one category of books and work through it one book at a time. Try not to open and start reading every book as your immediate reactions are the most important ones for making decisions.
Start by picking out books you know you love and would reach for again. Put these in your KEEP pile. Any books you immediately know you don't want go in your DISCARD pile.
Pause to reflect as you work through each category, ask yourself: What do these books say about the life I'm living versus the life I want to live? Are there hobbies I've longed to spend more time on, or interests that once excited me but no longer feel relevant? Choose to keep the books that genuinely make you excited to pick them up, and let go of those which feel more like obligations.
If you come across any books that you are unsure about, I always find it useful to use these questions to help make a decision:
Questions to ask when sorting and decluttering books:
The Reality Check Questions:
If I discovered this book in a shop today, would I buy it?
Have my interests or circumstances changed since I acquired this?
If I needed this information, would I really look it up here or just Google it?
The Future Focus Questions:
Am I genuinely excited about reading this, or do I just think I should be?
Does keeping this book align with how I actually want to spend my time?
Do I own other books that cover this topic better?
The Practical Assessment Questions:
Is the information in this book still current and relevant?
Does this book deserve the shelf space it's taking up?
When did I last think about this book before seeing it today?
A Word About Sentimental and Aspirational Books
Sentimental books: It's perfectly fine to keep books for emotional reasons, but ensure the sentiment is still strong. Ask yourself, "Do I still feel the same way about this book as when I first got it?"
Aspirational books: Be honest about "someday" books. If you've been planning to learn Italian, take up photography, or start investing for years but haven't opened the relevant books, perhaps it's time to admit these aren't current priorities. The same goes for book club reads that you won't pick up again - they served their social purpose but don't need permanent shelf space.
Reading takes time, a typical 300-page novel requires about 8 hours. Being selective helps you prioritise what you genuinely want to read.
Step 4 Organise Your Curated Book Collection
Now comes the satisfying part; arranging your chosen books so they're both beautiful and functional.
Create breathing space: Keep shelves no more than 90% full, mixing books with a few meaningful photos or ornaments. This prevents that cramped, overwhelming look and makes everything easier to access.
Put books where you’ll use them. Cookbooks belong in or near the kitchen, bedtime reading stays by your bed, and work reference books live in your office space.
Organise in a way that makes sense to your brain; by genre, author, alphabetically, or even by colour if that brings you joy. The only rule is that you should be able to find what you're looking for easily.
Create a "next to read" space: Designate a small section or basket for books you're genuinely excited to read soon. This prevents the overwhelming choice paralysis that can happen with large collections.
Pro Organising Tip: Turn a few beloved books face-out to display their covers. This breaks up the spine-only look and celebrates books that truly matter to you.
What to Do with Books You're Letting Go
Books are meant to be read, so if yours are gathering dust, let them inspire someone else. Your discarded books will be exciting finds for readers who'll truly value them.
Turn Book Clutter into Cash
Trade-in apps like Sell Your Books and We Buy Books make it easy to earn money from your unwanted books. Simply download the app, scan the barcodes (or type in the ISBN code) and watch the values add up.
While individual books might only be worth 10p-£1, the total often surprises people. One client recently made £100 from books that were no longer wanted which was amazing as it paid for some summer holiday family activities.
Once you have 10 books to trade, shipping is usually free - don't forget you'll need a few boxes to pack up the books ready to send (some companies will even collect from your home).
Spread the Joy Through Donation
If selling isn't your priority or you have books that aren't worth much, donation is a wonderful way to ensure your books find appreciative new readers.
Friends and family might treasure books you no longer need
Olio and Freecycle groups connect you with local book lovers
Local libraries and charity shops may welcome quality books
Create a neighbourhood little free library to share the reading love
When Should Books Just Be Disposed Of
Most books can find new homes, but some situations call for disposal:
Books with pages falling out or that are water/mould damaged
Severely outdated medical, financial, or technology guides
Mass-produced books with no historical value
Before disposal, check if your local recycling centre accepts books or if craft enthusiasts might want them for projects like the one below, where my lovely client used an old favourite book that was falling apart to decorate a storage box.
The key is getting unwanted books out of your house quickly, so choose whichever method feels easiest and most motivating for you.
Maintaining Your Curated Book Collection
To prevent future accumulation, try the "one in, one out" rule when you bring home a new book, choose one to pass along. Regularly assess whether new purchases align with your current interests and available reading time. Consider borrowing from libraries for books you're unsure about, and resist buying books "just in case" you might want to read them someday.
Ready to Turn Over a New Page?
You’ll discover that your newly organised bookshelf becomes a reflection of who you are right now: your genuine interests, your realistic reading habits, and your current life priorities. Instead of carrying guilt about what you haven't read or who you think you should be, you can feel proud of a collection that truly represents you.
Many people discover that a smaller, curated collection increases their reading frequency. When every book on your shelf appeals to you, picking your next read becomes exciting rather than overwhelming.
Ready to start? Set aside a weekend afternoon, put on some music, and begin with just one bookshelf or category. Remember, the goal isn't to have the fewest books possible, it's to keep books that add genuine value to your life today. Your future self will thank you for creating a bookshelf that inspires rather than overwhelms.
Are you ready to start living A Life More Organised?
Hi, I’m Sue, founder of A Life More Organised, professional home organiser and certified KonMari Consultant based in Hampshire, UK.
I had the privilege of training with Marie Kondo and I now use her method to help growing families and empty nesters rightsize their homes.
Together we Declutter and Organise to clear space, time, and the overwhelm that builds up when life gets busy, so you can focus on what matters most - enjoying life.
Get in touch for a no-obligation chat about how I can help.
m: 07740 782575 www.alifemoreorganised.co.uk
I'd love to keep in touch - why not follow me on Instagram or join in the conversation in my Facebook group
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