Have you found a new home to move to but now you’re suddenly faced with the task of how to declutter when moving house? Before you start to stress about how to declutter, read these tips!
Decluttering can be a very overwhelming and stressful practice. Moving is one of the most stressful experiences in life. Now add decluttering an entire home before you embark on your journey – not for the faint-hearted.
However, you will do it!
When you’re getting started decluttering, there are a few ways you can easily declutter your home before moving house.
Let’s take a look.
Create a DECLUTTERing PLAN
Have you ever heard the saying, “if you fail to plan then you plan to fail?” It’s the same with decluttering, especially when you’re dealing with the stress of moving.
You will want to be prepared at some level when you are preparing to declutter your home before moving.
Here are some ideas of how to plan ahead:
Make a list
A great starting place is to make a list of the rooms or spaces that need the most attention.
When you’re getting ready to sell your house, you want to make your home feel as spacious as possible. Make sure the living areas are clean and clutter-free. Also, put away as many toys and personal items as possible.
Don’t forget to declutter closets and cupboards, too. People will open these areas to make sure they can use them for their own storage purposes.
Set a date to start and a deadline
You will obviously know when you are moving into your new home, but now you need to set a date for when you will start your declutter project and when you need to be done.
You want to make sure your home is clean and clutter-free before you attempt to sell it. Remove all photos and personal memorabilia, especially before your realtor takes photos to list your home.
Rule of thumb would be to start at least one month before you are due to move, although make sure you give yourself enough time to get your home “show worthy” so your realtor is able to show it to potential buyers.
Try my 30-day Decluttering Challenge if you have a full month, or get the Weekend Warrior pack to declutter in a weekend.
Also, make sure to block out more than one day to get through everything. Depending on how much clutter needs to be sorted through, you might find you need a few days, even after you’re “done” decluttering!
For done-for-you decluttering plans, get the Conquer Your Chaos Decluttering Bundle.
YOUR ONE MONTH STARTS NOW – GET DECLUTTERING
You have now made your ‘plan of action’ and you can now get started. Here are some tips that will hopefully set you up for success:
Clear your mind
Declutter your mind to be focused when you are decluttering your home for a move.
Focus is everything! By relieving stress and making a list so you know exactly what needs to be done and when, you’ll make faster progress (with less stress).
Take it one step at a time
Focus on decluttering one room, drawer, or cupboard at a time.
When you take small bites from the bigger pie, it is easier to digest the gravity of the situation without making a huge mess that’s more overwhelming than helpful.
Also, for each small area you conquer, you will feel inspired and motivated to carry on.
Empty it out
If you are clearing drawers, cupboards or boxes, empty the entire contents and work through it all.
Separate them into piles: things for charity, things to sell (you can always sell this as a complete set), things to trash, and then the things you wish to keep.
Decide what is trash
Paper is usually something that just seems to accumulate without even trying and this would 9 times out of 10 be the majority of your trash.
Things that are broken and have no use come next.
Then look at containers that contain one item and remove the item and chuck the container. You can always group items together in one container if necessary.
DOES IT MAKE YOU HAPPY – IF NOT trash IT
Find what gives you joy. In the words of Marie Kondo, “When you hold it, do you feel joy?”
This may seem like an odd question but it is actually very relevant. If you want to declutter and throw out things for good, it would make sense that you do not get rid of things that make you happy.
But I mean truly happy – like when you hold it, the item evokes a memory or an emotional response that something else may not. If you truly feel a connection – keep it.
If you feel nothing or are undecided, discard it.
This is a process you will repeat for every space that you wish to sort through. Before you know it, your home will be completely clutter-free. What you left will be ready to be packed up to head off to the new house.
ADDED EXTRAS TO HELP WITH DECLUTTERING BEFORE YOU MOVE HOUSE
As you lead up to your move and are working through your home, try the following:
- Give away, sell, or trash one thing per day.
- Declutter your closet. If there are things in there which you know for sure you have not worn in the last 6 months, chances are you will not wear it in the next 6 months – get rid of it.
- Have a yard sale. Moving is expensive, so why not try to make some extra cash from your decluttering project?
- Have a lot of extra books? Give them to a children’s home, donate them to a school library or if you wish to make some cash on them, sell them online.
CONCLUSION
Moving is a stressful exercise, but it’s a great opportunity to pare down and simplify your possessions. Try not to carry with you things you do not need anymore.
Lighten the moving load and declutter as much as possible. You don’t want to pack your clutter in your old home, only to then unpack it all in your lovely new home!
Remember to take your time and be mindful of how you are feeling during the entire decluttering process.
Happy moving day!