A Minimalist’s Approach to Book Decluttering (for People Who Love Reading)
Loving Books ≠ Loving Book Clutter
I love books. I love reading, learning, and having access to ideas whenever curiosity strikes. And for a long time, I assumed that loving books meant owning a lot of them.
But over time, I realized that what I loved most wasn’t the physical stacks or full shelves — it was the act of reading itself. And somewhere along the way, the number of books in my home started creating more friction than joy. There was also a cost: buying books regularly is expensive, especially when many of them are only read once — if they’re read at all.
Book clutter is tricky. Books feel different from other household items. They represent who we are, who we want to be, and what we hope to make time for someday. Decluttering them can feel personal, or even a little uncomfortable.
But I’ve learned that decluttering books doesn’t mean reading less. In fact, for me, it’s meant reading more — just in a way that supports my space, my routines, and the season I’m in.
Why Book Clutter Feels Harder to Declutter Than Anything Else
Books are uniquely difficult to declutter because they don’t just take up physical space — they take up mental space, too. Each unread book represents good intentions: something you wanted to learn, explore, or make time for.
Unlike clothes or décor, books are often tied to identity. They signal curiosity, intelligence, creativity, or growth. Letting go of them can feel less like clearing clutter and more like abandoning a version of yourself.
There’s also a quiet guilt that comes with book clutter. Stacks of unread books can turn reading into a chore instead of a pleasure — a visual reminder of everything you haven’t gotten to yet. Even neatly organized shelves can create a subtle sense of pressure.
And then there’s the decision fatigue. What should you read next? What’s worth keeping? What might you want to read again someday? When every book feels meaningful, it becomes harder to make clear, confident choices — and easier to keep everything “just in case.”
My Rule of Thumb: Own Fewer, Borrow More
Over time, I realized that the simplest way to reduce book clutter wasn’t to try harder at organizing or creating stricter rules — it was to rethink how I got books in the first place. My new rule became: own fewer, borrow more.
The library quickly became my best ally. Borrowing books allows me to explore new topics, try out authors I might not commit to buying, and enjoy seasonal interests without worrying about shelf space. And yes, this includes eBooks and audiobooks from the library — they count as borrowing too, just in a digital form. Libby is a great resource for obtaining eBooks and audiobooks from your local library - all you need is your library card!
For the books I genuinely want to hold onto, I keep a small, intentional collection: cookbooks I use often, reference books that I revisit, and a few favorites I can’t imagine parting with. Everything else? I borrow it. And somehow, that small shift has made my reading life feel lighter and more enjoyable.
The best part: the library gives me flexibility. I can follow curiosity wherever it leads, without adding more clutter to my home or my mental space. I read more, explore more, and still keep my environment calm.
Where eBooks and Audiobooks Shine
Even with a fantastic library system, there are times when digital formats just make sense. eBooks and audiobooks offer instant access, no matter where you are or what time it is. On a busy evening or a long commute, I can dive into a story or explore a topic without waiting for a physical copy.
Audiobooks are especially magical for turning everyday tasks into reading time. Folding laundry, making dinner, or driving around town suddenly becomes an opportunity to “read.” eBooks, meanwhile, fit neatly into my bag or pocket — no extra shelves required.
Both formats also reduce decision fatigue. Collections, highlights, bookmarks, and easy search functions let me organize my reading effortlessly. I can keep track of what I’m curious about, what I’ve started, and what I want to revisit — all without adding clutter to my home.
The key: digital reading isn’t meant to replace the physical books I love. It’s a tool to make reading accessible, flexible, and sustainable — especially for those of us who want to enjoy books without letting them take over our space.
What I Still Prefer to Own in Physical Book Form
Even as a minimalist, I still love having a small collection of physical books — the ones that bring me joy, utility, or inspiration. These are the books I reach for again and again, or that I want to display because they’re meaningful to me.
For me, that includes:
Cookbooks I actually use in the kitchen
Reference books I revisit for work or hobbies
Favorites I know I’ll return to for comfort or inspiration
Books tied to long-term projects or personal goals
Children’s books, which I rotate and enjoy with the kids (if applicable)
The rest? I borrow it, read it digitally, or return it to the library. Owning fewer books doesn’t mean reading less — it just means every book in my home has a purpose.
Kids, Libraries, and Why Physical Books Still Matter
When it comes to children, physical books have a unique role that digital formats just can’t fully replace. There’s something about the tactile experience of turning pages, the joy of browsing colorful shelves, and the comfort of rereading favorites that makes physical books invaluable for kids.
The good news is that libraries make it easy to enjoy all of this without adding excessive clutter at home. By borrowing children’s books, I can rotate selections based on season, interest, or developmental stage. It also models important habits: returning books, caring for shared resources, and exploring curiosity responsibly.
This approach allows kids to enjoy the magic of physical books while keeping our home calm and manageable — and it frees adults to focus their energy on reading the books they truly want to engage with.
How This Approach Keeps Your Home Calm in the Long-Term
Owning fewer books and borrowing more doesn’t just reduce clutter in the moment — it creates a home that’s easier to maintain over time. Fewer incoming items means less sorting, less decision fatigue, and fewer visual reminders of unread titles.
By keeping a small, intentional physical collection, leveraging the library, and using eBooks or audiobooks when it makes sense, reading becomes lighter, more flexible, and more joyful. My shelves no longer feel overwhelming, and my reading habits feel sustainable.
This system also makes it easier to reset when seasons change, routines shift, or new interests arise. Decluttering books isn’t about strict rules or deprivation — it’s about creating space for what you truly want to read, when you want to read it.
Enjoy Books Without the Clutter
At the end of the day, decluttering books isn’t about owning less or reading less — it’s about creating a home and a reading life that feel effortless and joyful. By curating what I truly keep, borrowing the rest, and embracing eBooks and audiobooks when they fit my rhythm, I’ve discovered a way to enjoy reading without the clutter.
The library, intentional collections, and digital formats aren’t just tools — they’re freedoms. They let you follow curiosity, explore new topics, and savor stories without letting the number of books in your home dictate your peace of mind.
Loving books doesn’t have to mean being surrounded by them. Decluttering is simply making space for the way you actually read, in the season you’re in. With the right balance of ownership, borrowing, and digital reading, you can enjoy the books you love without letting them take over your space.
