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From managing a lifetime of belongings to navigating family dynamics, these expert-backed books offer practical guidance for anyone preparing to downsize.
By
Carla Ayers
published
27 February 2026
in Buying Guides
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Jump to category:- Best for letting go of sentimental items and grief
- Best for navigating family dynamics
- Best for practical, step-by-step downsizing plans
- Best for retirement and lifestyle transitions
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Early in my career as a real estate agent and property manager, I learned that much of my job involved more than just homes; it involved people's belongings. I loved helping clients find a place to call home. It is a moment filled with possibility and new beginnings. But I also saw how overwhelming those transitions could be, especially when years or decades of belongings were involved.
Over time, I gained a deeper understanding of the role possessions play in our lives. I worked with clients who were preparing to move, helping them sort through what to keep, what to pass on and what to let go of. I saw firsthand how difficult those decisions can be, and how much easier they become with a plan.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by clutter and are not sure where to begin, one of these 10 books could offer the guidance to help you get started.
Why decluttering matters
Preparing a home or business for sale almost always involves decluttering and making decisions about what to keep, donate or pass on. That process often includes organizing sentimental items for family members, which can be especially rewarding when something cherished finds a new home.
But not everything holds the same value for the next generation. Entire collections, from Beanie Babies to closets of designer clothes, are often left behind. What feels important to one person may not carry the same meaning for someone else.
If you are planning a move or simply want more clarity in your home, finding a method that works before you are on a deadline can make the process far less stressful.
It also gives you something many people lose in a move: control.
Before diving into the books, it can help to see what decluttering really looks like in practice. This short video highlights a few of the hard truths people often do not expect when they get started.
5 Harsh Truths about Decluttering — What NO ONE talks about, but you need to know! - YouTube
Watch On
Best for letting go of sentimental items and grief
After losing my father, I wanted to hold on to everything that reminded me of him, his old MP3 player filled with Motown music, and the suits and shoes he collected. But over time, I realized that holding onto everything was not helping me move forward. I needed to make space, not just physically, but emotionally.
For many people, this is the hardest part of downsizing.
The following books focus on helping you understand why you have held onto certain items and how to let go without losing the memories tied to them.
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff
by Matt Paxton
America's top cleaning expert and star of the series "Filthy Fortunes" and “Legacy List with Matt Paxton” distills his approach to decluttering and downsizing. It focuses on helping readers sort through a lifetime of belongings and make decisions about what to keep and what to let go of, especially when sentimental items are involved.
View on Amazon
Image credit: www.amazon.com
The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning
by Margareta Magnusson
This bestselling guide introduces Swedish death cleaning, a practical and thoughtful approach to putting your home in order while reflecting on what matters most. It focuses on reducing clutter over time so your belongings are easier to manage and less of a burden for others.
View on Amazon
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Downsizing With Heart
by Jill Hart
This book focuses on the emotional side of downsizing, addressing common concerns about independence and letting go of belongings. It offers practical guidance and real-world perspective to help readers reframe downsizing as a transition toward greater freedom and peace of mind.
View on Amazon
Best for navigating family dynamics
Selling the family home or families combining households requires a lot of careful planning and patience. You have to be mindful of the memories but you're also focused on moving forward with the home sale and transitioning to a new living situation.
The following books offer guidance on how to navigate these conversations and make decisions with less stress.
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Downsizing the Family Home
by Marni Jameson
This book focuses on the emotional and practical challenges of downsizing a family home, especially when it involves a lifetime of belongings. It offers guidance on how to sort through items, work with family members and approach the process with a clear plan and realistic expectations.
View on Amazon
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Moving On: A Practical Guide to Downsizing the Family Home
by Linda Hetzer and Janet HulstrandThis book offers an overview of how to manage the downsizing process while addressing the emotional challenges that can arise among family members. It provides guidance for those helping parents move or sorting through a home after a loss.
View on Amazon
Best for practical, step-by-step downsizing plans
Decluttering does not look the same for everyone. For some, it may mean embracing a minimalist approach. For others, it is about creating a home that feels more manageable without giving up the things that matter to them.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to start, a structured, step-by-step approach can make a big difference. These books focus on strategies and how to move through the process efficiently.
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Let It Go
by Peter Walsh
This book focuses on the emotional challenges of downsizing, especially during major life transitions. It offers guidance on how to sort through a lifetime of belongings and manage the decisions that can come with family involvement. The approach emphasizes downsizing as a way to simplify your space and move forward with greater clarity.
View on Amazon
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Stress-Free Home Downsizing
by Ben Souchek
This book focuses on the steps involved in downsizing, including a plan that can be adapted to your timeline. It offers guidance on managing the process, selling your home and transitioning to the next stage with more confidence.
View on Amazon
Image credit: www.amazon.com
The Minimalist Home
by Joshua Becker
This book offers a room-by-room approach to decluttering, with guidance on what to keep and what to let go of. It also addresses the habits and behaviors that can lead to excess accumulation, making it a good fit for readers looking to simplify their space and daily routines.
View on Amazon
Best for retirement and lifestyle transitions
In my early twenties, I put a lot of sweat equity into my rental properties. I learned how to install outlets, repair drywall and handle basic maintenance myself. For years, I kept extra supplies on hand, everything from furnace filters to spare parts.
As my career evolved, I reached a point where I no longer needed to do everything myself. Many of those tasks were better handled by professionals.
Letting go of those items was not just about clearing space. It was about recognizing a shift into a different phase of life. That is often what downsizing comes down to. It is about aligning your home with where you are now, not where you were 10 or 20 years ago.
If you are navigating a similar transition, these books can help you think through what that next phase should look like.
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Declutter to Downsize for Retirement
by Maggie Ryan
This book focuses on downsizing for retirement, with a practical approach to simplifying your home without feeling overwhelmed. It offers guidance for those preparing to move, travel more or transition into a new phase of life, with an emphasis on making steady progress.
View on Amazon
Image credit: www.amazon.com
Smart Moves
by Caroline Carter
This book focuses on the emotional and financial aspects of preparing for a move. It offers guidance on how to plan ahead, manage the transition and position your home for sale, making it a good fit for readers looking for a more strategic approach.
View on Amazon
Decluttering is not one size fits all, especially when you are navigating a move or a major life change. Finding an approach that works for you can make the process more manageable and help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.
Starting sooner rather than later can also give you more control over the process.
Related content
- 10 Things to Know About Decluttering
- You May Not Want to Downsize in Retirement: Here's Why
- How to Get Rid of the Things Your Kids Don't Want While Downsizing
Carla AyersSocial Links NavigationeCommerce and Personal Finance EditorCarla Ayers joined Kiplinger in 2024 as the eCommerce and Personal Finance Editor. Her professional background spans both commercial and residential real estate, enriching her writing with firsthand industry insights.
Carla has worked as a personal finance and real estate writer for Rocket Mortgage, Inman and other industry publications.
She is passionate about making complex real estate and financial topics accessible to all readers. Dedicated to transparency and clarity, her ultimate goal is to help her audience make informed and confident decisions in their financial pursuits.
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