Whether you’ve been in your home for a long time or just have a lot of possessions, decluttering can be a stressful part of moving. Most people don’t realize how much stuff they have accumulated until they are preparing to move.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of stuff to declutter pre-move, but the best piece of advice is to start early. The more things you have, the more time it will take to go through, so leave yourself ample time to work through each room and declutter before moving.
Prepping to Declutter
Before you declutter, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place. Here are some steps to take to prepare for a pre-move decluttering.
Pick a Room
If you think about decluttering your entire house, it can be overwhelming and cause some people to shut down. Instead, pick a room and focus on just that room before you move onto another. This way, you won’t get as overwhelmed, and you can see progress faster, which can provide momentum to keep you going.
Designate Spots
When you begin to declutter, stuff will be everywhere as you sort and purge. Designate spots for things like paperwork, donations, items you plan to sell, trash or broken items destined for the garbage, and what you plan to take with you.
Purchase Supplies
Assess any supplies you may already have at home and purchase what you don’t already have. This will make it easier and not delay your progress by stopping and going buy what you need. Supplies may include:
- Boxes
- File folders
- Permanent markers
- Bins or containers
- Trash bags
- Dumpster (if needed)
Set a Schedule
Many people underestimate the time it will take to declutter. Rather than try to fit it all in during one weekend, try to set a realistic schedule over the course of a month or two to declutter pre-move. This could be one hour each evening and several on the weekend or several weekends in a row until you finish.
Your Pre-Move Declutter Tips
Now that you’ve got your declutter plan in place, it’s time to take action. Here are some tips to make your pre-move declutter sessions work.
Ask for Help
If you have a lot to declutter, it may be a good idea to ask family or friends to help you. It will take less time and help you decide what to keep and what to throw away or donate.
Create a Plan of Attack
Before you begin working in a room, create a plan of attack, whether you write it down or just visualize it in your head. Survey the space and determine where you will start, where your designated spots will be, and how you’ll organize what you’re keeping to pack for the move.
Start Off Easy
To gain momentum and make starting easier, get rid of the easy items first. These are broken items that you should throw away and things you already plan to donate or sell.
Rearrange Furniture
For furniture and other items you plan to keep, moving day is easier if you arrange items, so the bulkiest items are first out the door. The movers can easily and quickly empty the room, and getting things out of the way will make it easier as you declutter.
Pack as You Go
If you can get things packed now, do it. Packing unneeded items helps to declutter the space more, making it easier to focus on what still needs to be gone through. Don’t forget to label boxes to know where your items are for easy access before and after the move.
Your Packing and Moving Professionals
Freedom Moving in Pasadena, Maryland, is a full-service moving company offering packing and moving services, whether you’re moving down the street or across the country. While you’re doing your pre-move declutter, consider keeping inventory of the items you plan to move to make getting a free estimate even easier. Or, call us to set up an in-home estimate for your packing and moving needs.
