Your Complete Guide to Getting Rid of Clutter Before Moving

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Moving to a new house is an exciting life event but also comes with stressors – especially when dealing with accumulated clutter. If you’re getting ready for a big move, the last thing you want to do is bring unnecessary items from one place to another. Decluttering can seem like an overwhelming task but don’t worry. Following the steps outlined below, you will be free from bothersome boxes and extra belongings. So whether you are downsizing or simply trying to minimize your possessions before moving, follow along as we dive into this helpful article.

Start by Making a List of Items You Don’t Need

We all tend to acquire lovely things or useful items in our homes until our environment becomes cluttered and chaotic. Taking the time to eliminate clutter is key to creating a comfortable, organized space. Start by making a list of all the things you don’t need, as it’s often easier to decide what you want to keep instead of sorting through everything one by one.

Ask yourself what can be donated, recycled, sold, or trashed – then take action. If you have mattresses you no longer need, you can check out online where to donate a mattress and get rid of it responsibly. Removing unnecessary items from your home is energizing and can improve peace and productivity within your environment.

Break Down Furniture You Won’t be Taking With You

Moving is a great opportunity to eliminate appliances and furniture that take up space and don’t provide any real utility or value. Over the years, as pieces of furniture become outdated or no longer fit with our lifestyle, they can become sources of household clutter. Breaking down the furniture you don’t need or won’t be taking with you when you move is an effective way to declutter your home.

Assemble a screwdriver, some boxes, and the necessary tools to disassemble your items. This process can also be beneficial for increasing physical activity in the comfort of your home. Finally, research what donation sites may be near your residence – this way, someone else can benefit from pieces of furniture that have been collecting dust in your home for too long.

Sort Through Your Clothing

Spring is the perfect time to take a long, hard look at your wardrobe and give yourself a fresh start. Sort through the clothing you have accumulated over the years: shoes, accessories, hats, coats, and more. Keep only items that spark joy for you or that still make you look stylish; anything else should go.

Donate any usable pieces of clothing to charities or organizations that need them. Not only will it feel good to lighten your load of things, but it’s also an effective way to reduce clutter in your closet and home. Knowing what you have can save time when getting dressed in the morning — and who doesn’t want to be able to choose from a manageable wardrobe without feeling overwhelmed by choice?

Tackle the Items That Tend to Accumulate Around the House

The items we don’t regularly use, such as books, holiday decorations, and old toys, tend to accumulate around the house without us even realizing it. If you take the time to review all of these items, you’ll likely find plenty of things that can be donated or recycled. For example: donate old books to the local library or gift toys and games to younger friends or family members.

Organization is key for decluttering your home. Label a few boxes with categories like “toss,” “sell,” “donate,” and “keep” to help you sort items quickly and efficiently. You can also take advantage of spring cleaning by removing things you’ve been saving for years but have never used.

Take Stock of Paper Clutter and Shred Anything no Longer Needed

As authors and creatives, we’re guilty of occasionally keeping paper clutter on hand for far too long. Whether it’s copies of old contracts, physical promos from past projects, or business cards collected over the years, it’s time to take stock of what you’re holding onto—and, more importantly, to find out if any of it should go. Evaluate each piece and ensure you no longer need them before deciding what to discard or shred.

You can even use this to switch certain items to a digital format, ensuring a safer and tidier office space in the long run. If you haven’t touched something in months (or maybe even years) or kept an item just ‘in case’ but realistically know it will rarely come into play again, chances are you can part with it guilt-free and revel in the newfound space around you.

Clean Out the Fridge and Pantry

Your refrigerator and pantry are two of the most important places to declutter in your home, as you typically store food. Sort through, throw away anything that has expired, and wipe down shelves before putting everything back. Make sure to clean out containers—such as jars, bottles, and plastic boxes—for any sticky residue and debris.

Check labels as you sort through things to ensure that what you’re putting back in the pantry or fridge is still fresh. Take out anything stored for too long or no longer looks appetizing. Doing this can help clear up valuable space and make it easier to find items quickly.

Look for Creative Ways to Repurpose Things

Before donating or selling off those items, consider getting creative with your repurposing options. Think about clever ways to turn something you have into something useful for your new place. For example, that old wooden chest might make an excellent coffee table; or a quilt from your childhood could be used as throw pillows on the sofa.

Even a pair of ice skates could double as wall art after displaying your photographs in them. There’s no need to create a new piece – modify what you already possess and put it to work. Reusing things you care about is a great way to ensure they stay in your life while keeping clutter out of your space.

It’s no secret that moving can be stressful, so starting the decluttering process now will help alleviate some of that stress down the road. But always remember that it’s not just about throwing things out: it’s also about repurposing and kickstarting creative solutions for reorganizing your home. By taking action on each item one step at a time, you can ensure your new place is free from clutter and full of things that bring true joy.

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