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Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm
Win a free print copy of this book!
5 days and 04:32:01
25 copies available
U.S. only
Are you overwhelmed by clutter, constant mess, and the mental load of daily responsibilities? It's time to break free from the chaos and create a home that works for you—using a fresh approach to decluttering that will simplify your space, reduce stress, and free up your time and energy.
Katy Wells, mom and host of the top-rated The Maximized Minimalist podcast, transformed her stressful, cluttered home into a calm, organized space where she now has time to relax with her family. In Making Home Your Happy Place, she shares the same proven tools that have helped thousands of busy families simplify their routines, regain control, and live with greater ease.
In this step-by-step guide, you'll discover how
Overcome overwhelm with actionable strategies to break through mental and physical clutter, so you can regain control and start moving forward.Declutter with confidence by using proven techniques to tackle your home with clear, actionable steps that will bring immediate results and visible progress.Uncover the deeper roots of clutter by identifying the emotional ties, limiting beliefs, and habits that keep you stuck—and learn how to release them with clarity and compassion.Create effortless systems to maintain a peaceful home that works for you, making organizing feel natural and sustainable in your everyday life.
You can have the peaceful, joyful home you've always wanted—a space where you can breathe easier, think clearer, and finally feel the freedom to enjoy more of what you love. Ready to make it happen?
Katy Wells, mom and host of the top-rated The Maximized Minimalist podcast, transformed her stressful, cluttered home into a calm, organized space where she now has time to relax with her family. In Making Home Your Happy Place, she shares the same proven tools that have helped thousands of busy families simplify their routines, regain control, and live with greater ease.
In this step-by-step guide, you'll discover how
Overcome overwhelm with actionable strategies to break through mental and physical clutter, so you can regain control and start moving forward.Declutter with confidence by using proven techniques to tackle your home with clear, actionable steps that will bring immediate results and visible progress.Uncover the deeper roots of clutter by identifying the emotional ties, limiting beliefs, and habits that keep you stuck—and learn how to release them with clarity and compassion.Create effortless systems to maintain a peaceful home that works for you, making organizing feel natural and sustainable in your everyday life.
You can have the peaceful, joyful home you've always wanted—a space where you can breathe easier, think clearer, and finally feel the freedom to enjoy more of what you love. Ready to make it happen?
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2026
45 people are currently reading
4606 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 20, 2026
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter, constant mess, and the never ending mental load, Making Home Your Happy Place by Katy Wells is the reset you’ve been waiting for.
This book isn’t about perfection. It’s about peace.
Katy shares practical, step by step strategies that actually feel doable, even for busy families. She helps you move past overwhelm, clear both the physical clutter and the mental clutter, and create simple systems that make your home feel lighter instead of stressful.
What I loved most is how compassionate and realistic her approach is. No guilt. No pressure. Just small, intentional changes that add up to a calmer, more joyful space.
This book reminded me that our homes should support us, not exhaust us. And creating a peaceful home doesn’t require a full life overhaul. It just starts with one small step.
If you’re ready to breathe easier, think clearer, and finally enjoy your space again, this one is worth it
This book isn’t about perfection. It’s about peace.
Katy shares practical, step by step strategies that actually feel doable, even for busy families. She helps you move past overwhelm, clear both the physical clutter and the mental clutter, and create simple systems that make your home feel lighter instead of stressful.
What I loved most is how compassionate and realistic her approach is. No guilt. No pressure. Just small, intentional changes that add up to a calmer, more joyful space.
This book reminded me that our homes should support us, not exhaust us. And creating a peaceful home doesn’t require a full life overhaul. It just starts with one small step.
If you’re ready to breathe easier, think clearer, and finally enjoy your space again, this one is worth it
February 17, 2026
This book was a refreshing and deeply supportive take on decluttering. Instead of pushing rigid systems or a one-size-fits-all method, it approaches the process holistically, acknowledging that our homes, schedules, and emotional lives are all interconnected.
What I appreciated most was the tone. It was gentle without being vague, encouraging without being unrealistic. The author understands that life is full—families, work, energy levels, emotions—and decluttering doesn’t happen in a perfectly curated vacuum. Rather than promoting a “perfect home” ideal, the book supports progress in a way that feels attainable and compassionate.
The suggestions were tangible and practical. Each chapter offered realistic steps that could be applied to everyday life, not just to a picture-perfect Pinterest space. Instead of prescribing a cookie-cutter formula for organizing, the book invites readers to reflect on their own habits, values, and season of life. That made the advice feel personal and sustainable.
I also loved that the focus went beyond just physical clutter. It encouraged readers to consider mental and emotional clutter, helping create space not just in drawers and closets, but in routines and mindset as well. The result is a decluttering process that feels empowering rather than overwhelming.
If you’re looking for a supportive, realistic, and holistic approach to simplifying your life, this book is an excellent place to start. It doesn’t demand perfection, it encourages steady, meaningful change.
February 17, 2026
This book isn’t about minimalism, it’s about being mindful of what is in your house. It will completely change your perspective on the stuff in your house. Big changes can happen in small and lasting steps. She writes with so much compassion on the topic, I felt accepted but also motivated for change. There is a lot of information in here that will make an impact while also being interesting to read.
I really enjoy how Katy Wells breaks down the different reasons why you might be struggling with the daily activities of your home and how it affects way more than just being mad seeing dirty dishes in the sink. Having the bigger picture of why makes implementing her strategies more effective.
About five years before she wrote this book I listened to her podcast and did her program. Years later I am still doing the things she taught me, hello donation bin in the laundry room! I am doing the actually strategies, because my view on what my home can do for me has changed. This book has been an amazing refresher and eye opener on some topics I needed address when it comes to having the home I want.
Thank you Katy Joy Wells and Thomas Nelson for an advanced reader copy of this book.
I really enjoy how Katy Wells breaks down the different reasons why you might be struggling with the daily activities of your home and how it affects way more than just being mad seeing dirty dishes in the sink. Having the bigger picture of why makes implementing her strategies more effective.
About five years before she wrote this book I listened to her podcast and did her program. Years later I am still doing the things she taught me, hello donation bin in the laundry room! I am doing the actually strategies, because my view on what my home can do for me has changed. This book has been an amazing refresher and eye opener on some topics I needed address when it comes to having the home I want.
Thank you Katy Joy Wells and Thomas Nelson for an advanced reader copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher for promotional purposes.
Right away, I found the book to be super engaging. The author starts off with a short little story about a car accident (luckily everyone was fine) that immediately gripped my attention.
The best part of this book was how straightforward it was. The author does not beat around the bush; she gets right into it and states everything clearly.
The tips and methods discussed are super accessible and easy to do. The author emphasizes doing small clean-ups instead of a large decluttering session. I loved the idea of having a donation station, an always available place to put items you wish to donate. I do something similar with my books and now I want to do it with other items as well. I also loved the boundaries tip. Don’t let items overflow. For example, when it comes to books, limit the number of books you keep to fit the bookshelf you have. Or with clothes, limit them to what fits inside your closet.
One passage that stuck with me was when she talks about reframing your thoughts around getting rid of items. She states, “Letting go of something that’s technically ‘still good’ can feel wasteful. But holding on to it doesn’t make it less wasteful; it just makes it your burden, Reframe it like this: Releasing this item lets it be useful to someone else” (pg. 69). That is a great way to look at it.
Lastly, I loved that the book had a concluding chapter. Concluding chapters are always something I look for in nonfiction books because they make the book feel more finished.
Overall, I was really impressed with this book. If you’re in need of help decluttering your home, you need to read this!
Right away, I found the book to be super engaging. The author starts off with a short little story about a car accident (luckily everyone was fine) that immediately gripped my attention.
The best part of this book was how straightforward it was. The author does not beat around the bush; she gets right into it and states everything clearly.
The tips and methods discussed are super accessible and easy to do. The author emphasizes doing small clean-ups instead of a large decluttering session. I loved the idea of having a donation station, an always available place to put items you wish to donate. I do something similar with my books and now I want to do it with other items as well. I also loved the boundaries tip. Don’t let items overflow. For example, when it comes to books, limit the number of books you keep to fit the bookshelf you have. Or with clothes, limit them to what fits inside your closet.
One passage that stuck with me was when she talks about reframing your thoughts around getting rid of items. She states, “Letting go of something that’s technically ‘still good’ can feel wasteful. But holding on to it doesn’t make it less wasteful; it just makes it your burden, Reframe it like this: Releasing this item lets it be useful to someone else” (pg. 69). That is a great way to look at it.
Lastly, I loved that the book had a concluding chapter. Concluding chapters are always something I look for in nonfiction books because they make the book feel more finished.
Overall, I was really impressed with this book. If you’re in need of help decluttering your home, you need to read this!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Making Home Your Happy Place by Katy Wells felt like a breath of fresh air for anyone who has ever felt buried under clutter. As I started reading, I immediately related to the feeling of overwhelm she describes—the constant mess, the mental load, and the stress that quietly builds up in a busy home. It felt reassuring to know I wasn’t alone in that struggle.
What I liked most about this book is how practical and realistic it is. Katy doesn’t just say “declutter your house.” She breaks it down into small, clear steps that feel doable. Her advice is simple and actionable, which made me feel like change was actually possible. I appreciated that she focuses not only on physical clutter but also on the emotional reasons behind it. She talks about habits, beliefs, and attachments in a gentle and understanding way, not in a judgmental tone.
The book also offers helpful systems to maintain order once you’ve decluttered. That stood out to me because organizing is one thing, but keeping it that way is another challenge. Her approach feels sustainable, especially for busy families. I could picture how these systems would save time and reduce daily stress.
Another thing I enjoyed is her warm and encouraging voice. It feels like she’s cheering you on rather than telling you what you’re doing wrong. Her personal experience adds authenticity, and you can tell she understands real-life chaos.
Overall, this book gave me motivation and clarity. It reminded me that a peaceful home doesn’t happen overnight, but small consistent steps can create big changes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want a calmer, happier space, this guide is a great place to start.
What I liked most about this book is how practical and realistic it is. Katy doesn’t just say “declutter your house.” She breaks it down into small, clear steps that feel doable. Her advice is simple and actionable, which made me feel like change was actually possible. I appreciated that she focuses not only on physical clutter but also on the emotional reasons behind it. She talks about habits, beliefs, and attachments in a gentle and understanding way, not in a judgmental tone.
The book also offers helpful systems to maintain order once you’ve decluttered. That stood out to me because organizing is one thing, but keeping it that way is another challenge. Her approach feels sustainable, especially for busy families. I could picture how these systems would save time and reduce daily stress.
Another thing I enjoyed is her warm and encouraging voice. It feels like she’s cheering you on rather than telling you what you’re doing wrong. Her personal experience adds authenticity, and you can tell she understands real-life chaos.
Overall, this book gave me motivation and clarity. It reminded me that a peaceful home doesn’t happen overnight, but small consistent steps can create big changes. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and want a calmer, happier space, this guide is a great place to start.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Nothing makes me happier than having a clean, tidy, and harmonious home. People have called me an organizational freak before, and I’m okay with that. I love everything being in its place and getting rid of stuff I don’t need. I believe that a messy house leads to a messy mind and messy life. Making Home Your Happy Place was created for people like me.
The author sucked me in right away with a personal and tragic story from her life. Even though this is a nonfiction guide, the honest and conversational tone makes it easy to connect with and feels immersive and authentic. Her claim that decluttering holds a power to lighten your life and reveal a gentle peace buried beneath all the clutter is soooo believable.
I appreciate how the author explains the four kinds of clutter and gives ways to deal with each one. But what I love most about this book are two things. First, there are no wild promises or unrealistic goals. Second, the main aim is to help you make your home feel lighter, calmer, and happier. I love this book!
First Line: Some moments divide your life into before or after.
Genre: Organizing, Home Care
Author: Katy Joy Wells
Page Count: 240
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
The author sucked me in right away with a personal and tragic story from her life. Even though this is a nonfiction guide, the honest and conversational tone makes it easy to connect with and feels immersive and authentic. Her claim that decluttering holds a power to lighten your life and reveal a gentle peace buried beneath all the clutter is soooo believable.
I appreciate how the author explains the four kinds of clutter and gives ways to deal with each one. But what I love most about this book are two things. First, there are no wild promises or unrealistic goals. Second, the main aim is to help you make your home feel lighter, calmer, and happier. I love this book!
First Line: Some moments divide your life into before or after.
Genre: Organizing, Home Care
Author: Katy Joy Wells
Page Count: 240
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
February 18, 2026
Making Home Your Happy Place has helped me think deeply about why chronic clutter has been a lifelong struggle for me.
Since beginning Katy Joy Wells’ book, I have learned to approach my need to declutter gracefully. I value how she shares relatable stories as she unpacks why we experience clutter and overwhelm. I also appreciate the reflection and take action sections she has included at the close of the chapters.
A favorite concept she has introduced to me is the RESET. I often freeze even at the thought of confronting my clutter. The RESET teaching disarmed my reservations about getting started with decluttering. It gave me a manageable starting point.
Making Home Your Happy Place is an expert, easy-to-read companion. It’s perfect for people like me who are overwhelmed and carry shame around their clutter. It is helping me break through my striving to make my home perfect, address my history with “stuff,” and declutter with tried-and-true systems—in a healthy way that will stick.
I already recommend this book as a guide to decluttering with grace.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Since beginning Katy Joy Wells’ book, I have learned to approach my need to declutter gracefully. I value how she shares relatable stories as she unpacks why we experience clutter and overwhelm. I also appreciate the reflection and take action sections she has included at the close of the chapters.
A favorite concept she has introduced to me is the RESET. I often freeze even at the thought of confronting my clutter. The RESET teaching disarmed my reservations about getting started with decluttering. It gave me a manageable starting point.
Making Home Your Happy Place is an expert, easy-to-read companion. It’s perfect for people like me who are overwhelmed and carry shame around their clutter. It is helping me break through my striving to make my home perfect, address my history with “stuff,” and declutter with tried-and-true systems—in a healthy way that will stick.
I already recommend this book as a guide to decluttering with grace.
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 1, 2026
Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm Paperback by Katy Wells is out now. I was so excited to get a copy of Making Home Your Happy Place by Katy Wells. I have read many books and tried many things over the years as I have struggled with clutter. Methods usually work for awhile and then seem hard to keep going. I struggle with keeping up with things in our home, and worrying I might need something again someday.
I am enjoying reading Making Home Your Happy Place as it is it gets at the root cause of clutter, how you personally view clutter, and steps to change. I am excited to continue reading as I feel like this book will help me navigate the root of my issues. The clutter has gotten worse after our son had cancer and passed. I am looking forward to making some changes with Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm Paperback by Katy Wells. I highly recommend.
I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review
I am enjoying reading Making Home Your Happy Place as it is it gets at the root cause of clutter, how you personally view clutter, and steps to change. I am excited to continue reading as I feel like this book will help me navigate the root of my issues. The clutter has gotten worse after our son had cancer and passed. I am looking forward to making some changes with Making Home Your Happy Place: A Real-Life Guide to Decluttering Without the Overwhelm Paperback by Katy Wells. I highly recommend.
I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Making Home Your Happy Place by Katy Wells was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Instead of just offering organizing tips, it gently helped me rethink my relationship with clutter and the mental load I carry every day.
The steps feel realistic and doable — not overwhelming — and I’ve already started making small changes that are creating a big difference in how my home feels. This book is warm, practical, and incredibly encouraging. If you’re longing for a calmer, more peaceful home, I highly recommend it.
The steps feel realistic and doable — not overwhelming — and I’ve already started making small changes that are creating a big difference in how my home feels. This book is warm, practical, and incredibly encouraging. If you’re longing for a calmer, more peaceful home, I highly recommend it.
November 11, 2025
Everyone wants to declutter and apparently that is a big part of making your home a happy place. It is hard to know what methods or what philosophy will resonate with a given household so I'm in favor of having a lot of different resources. If I was still working in a library, I'd be happy to add this book to the collection.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's very readable and I liked the approach.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It's very readable and I liked the approach.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book helped me gain momentum to do this in one weekend: pack away holiday decor, declutter my bathroom, get bags of stuff ready to drop off for charity, and assemble a set of bookshelves to organize my books.
It was just the encouragement I needed to get going. It also has easy systems to keep in mind on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. You'll learn how to get organized with less guilt and fear.
I received a preview copy from the publisher.
It was just the encouragement I needed to get going. It also has easy systems to keep in mind on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. You'll learn how to get organized with less guilt and fear.
I received a preview copy from the publisher.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’ve been reading Making Home Your Happy Place, and her section ART framework caught my attention. (Ask. Repurpose. Time.)
As I started downsizing, I realized how many things I labeled as sentimental. This book helped me to see that there are some questions I need to ask myself about these things without guilt or overwhelm. There were things I felt really good about letting go.
As I started downsizing, I realized how many things I labeled as sentimental. This book helped me to see that there are some questions I need to ask myself about these things without guilt or overwhelm. There were things I felt really good about letting go.
February 22, 2026
Katy has a fabulous system and awesome strategies for getting out of the cycle of chaos. I purchased this audiobook after listening to her podcast and she has been helping my life and my home change one step at a time. I really enjoyed this book and and all the suggestions it gave me. I will be rereading this book.
March 10, 2026
Helpful and motivating. Not only did Katy address the obvious about decluttering, she also dug into how to tackle different types of clutter (sentimental, superficial, etc) and the reasons behind women feeling the mess of the home and the impact it has on mental health and general levels of joy. Good 🎧, I typically like to use audio for this type of subject matter.
February 18, 2026
Loving this book while I try to declutter my home and life!
February 21, 2026
Katy Wells did such a good job on this audiobook. As I listened and learned, I would pause periodically to declutter a few things at a time. Great inspiration!
March 5, 2026
I really loved this book! I will keep going back to it. Very helpful
February 28, 2026
The information here was super helpful for me as someone just trying to lessen the amount of things I own and learning how to incorporate better habits into my daily life. It did mention women specifically doing these tasks offhandedly a few times which gave me the ick.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book felt like a breath of fresh air! I have read many books on decluttering and organizing and I would say this is one of my favorite reads in the subject.
Katy's writing is very engaging, I literally read this book so quickly! She gives extremely practical advice that goes deeper than just how-to's and a list of things to declutter. I loved the thought of thinking through how I want each room to feel. As I step into a space, does it make me feel edgy or peaceful?
I came away with so many helpful thought processes I can implement in my own home.
* I was gifted an ARC copy of this book from the publisher for review. As always, all thoughts in this review are honest and my own.
Katy's writing is very engaging, I literally read this book so quickly! She gives extremely practical advice that goes deeper than just how-to's and a list of things to declutter. I loved the thought of thinking through how I want each room to feel. As I step into a space, does it make me feel edgy or peaceful?
I came away with so many helpful thought processes I can implement in my own home.
* I was gifted an ARC copy of this book from the publisher for review. As always, all thoughts in this review are honest and my own.
December 16, 2025
This book does a nice job of providing realistic and practical ways to declutter. Some of its tips are ones I’ve seen before elsewhere, but it had unique insights as well. I appreciated the distinction between “expected mess” that can be reset vs. clutter that isn’t serving you anymore. Wells also does a good job of getting to the heart of why we have clutter so we don’t just get stuck in a decluttering cycle while acquiring more stuff. Overall, this is a helpful guide that is easy to read and use.
Thank you to NetGalley, W Publishing and Thomas Nelson for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions.
Content warnings: references to injuries from a car crash; brief peril to children in a car crash (they were all okay, thank God!)
Thank you to NetGalley, W Publishing and Thomas Nelson for the free eARC! I post this review with my honest opinions.
Content warnings: references to injuries from a car crash; brief peril to children in a car crash (they were all okay, thank God!)
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews