Six Ways to Declutter Before Moving House

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Moving house is an incredibly hectic process. You are leaving behind the place you have called home for months or maybe years and now have to pack up your belongings and set up a new life in a different location.

While most homeowners would throw their belongings into boxes and hope that they will arrive in one piece at the other end, there is a much smarter way to do things – decluttering before moving house. 

Things You Can Do Before Moving House 

Decluttering is an incredibly effective way of organizing your valuables and ensuring that you only bring the most necessary items when moving to your new home. You’ll be less likely to have difficulties packing, lifting, and loading those boxes. It can also save you some money on removal costs because the fewer items you need to move, the fewer boxes and packing supplies you’ll need. 

Besides, self storage is the ideal solution for items you don’t want to get rid of but can’t fit into your new home. According to the latest reports, 60% of self-storage users in Texas are in the midst of some relocating activity, making self storage one of the most popular services for those on the move. 

But since not all storage units offer the same levels of security and safety, choose a local and reliable self storage provider to ensure your valuable items are kept safe. No matter in which city of Texas you reside, you can easily find self storage unit providers. For instance, if you live in Corpus Christi, you can look up self storage Corpus Christi TX on your preferred search engine to find the best options around. 

If you’re ready to begin decluttering, here’s a list of the top six tips to help you get started: 

• Start Early and Commit to a Timeline

Real talk: decluttering can be a lengthy and emotionally draining process. Therefore, giving yourself enough time to complete it before you move out is essential so you don’t feel overwhelmed or stressed last minute. 

Start by setting up a timeline of when you want to finish the decluttering process. Consider your lifestyle, the size of your home, and how much clutter you have to get through. Include breaks and other sudden changes in the plan to ensure you don’t burn out. It will give you an idea of when to start and how much time to dedicate daily. 

• Create a Decluttering Checklist

A checklist can be a great way to track tasks and ensure you follow through. Make a comprehensive list of what needs to be done, like sorting, packing, and cleaning. Then create a more detailed list of tasks that need to be done in each area and prioritize them according to importance.

For instance, in the bedroom, you might have tasks such as sorting clothes, decluttering drawers and cupboards, and vacuuming. Kitchen tasks may include throwing out expired food, cleaning the refrigerator, and organizing cabinets. You can also prepare a checklist of kitchen essentials to know what you need to take along.

• Break it Down by Room 

Tackling an entire house in one go can be overwhelming and intimidating, which is why it’s crucial to break down the details and work room by room. Start with one space and tackle things one section at a time. For instance, if you’re in the bedroom, start with the closet and work outward. It will make the task feel more manageable and make it easier to stay focused. 

It’s also a good idea to follow the checklist of tasks for each room and prioritize them based on importance. You can ensure you’re getting all the essentials and can save time by tackling the more important tasks first. It will also make you feel accomplished to cross items off the list as you complete them. 

• Don’t Linger on Memories

Whether you’re decluttering the living room, bedroom, or kitchen, it can be easy to get sentimental. You’ll find yourself remembering special moments and memories associated with the items you come across. But it’s important to keep your goal in mind and focus on minimizing clutter. 

If you feel overwhelmed with emotion, take a break, practice breathing exercises, and continue your decluttering task when ready. You don’t have to get rid of everything at once. Take your time and work through the items that don’t hold any sentimental value for you first, and then gradually move on to those that do. 

• Pack as You Go

While decluttering your home and going through the items, it’s great to pack as you go. In this way, you won’t have to worry about packing all your things at once and running out of boxes or supplies. 

Start packing the items that you least use or don’t need shortly. Use suitable packing materials such as bubble wrap, packing paper, and boxes for fragile items. Label the boxes with their contents and also mention where you will have to place them, for instance, bedroom, lounge, etc. It will make unpacking easier. You can also save time by packing everyday essentials into the same box and labeling it accordingly. 

Avoid overpacking boxes, as this can be dangerous while moving and may break the items. Additionally, it’s best to keep documents, important papers, or money out with you instead of packing them in boxes. 

• Involve the Whole Family

The more people you have helping out, the faster and easier you’re decluttering and moving process will be. Involve the whole family and assign tasks accordingly. Kids can help by clearing old toys and clothes in their rooms, while adults can focus on other areas of the house, such as the kitchen and living room. 

Assign a designated area to keep items that will go to your new home. It will ensure that nothing is accidentally thrown away or left behind. Encourage everyone to donate items that are no longer used or needed so they can go to a worthy cause. It will help teach kids the value of giving back and make them feel like they are part of the process. 

Conclusion

Decluttering is an essential step before moving. Not only will it make the process easier, but it can also save you money on supplies and removal costs. You must start early and create a timeline to ensure you declutter thoroughly. A decluttering checklist can help you stay on track and ensure you have caught everything. 

Remember to break the process into manageable tasks, room by room, and pack as you go. You’re likely to find lots of memories and items of sentimental value, but try to stay focused on the end goal. And remember to enlist help from family and friends; it will make the whole process much more manageable. Once everything is decluttered and packed, you can rest assured that your move will go smoothly.