A complete decluttering of your home is in need when you’re in the process of changing your address. Decluttering your home is about creating space for what’s truly important. To do this, you need to understand what clutter is. Many people find it difficult to start decluttering, especially regarding sentimental items. However, it’s logical to keep only what’s useful during a move. Eliminating unused things can help you focus on the present and save money by not moving unnecessary items.
Many people appeal to the idea of a simpler life with less stuff. However, they often feel anxious and overwhelmed about owning less. This is unfortunate because decluttering your home before a move doesn’t have to be painful. In fact, it offers many benefits. Read on to find out the benefits of decluttering and an expert declutter your home checklist. We’ll guide you on how to declutter your house the entire process
Related: Moving House Checklist
The Benefits of Decluttering Your Home Before Moving
Owning fewer possessions has many advantages. However, taking action can be difficult. The benefits of decluttering become clear when you consider the following:
- Less cleaning: Cleaning is already a chore, but cleaning around things you dislike makes it even more stressful.
- Less organising: Finding things becomes easier, especially during a busy event like moving. Things no longer “disappear.” You can move around your home freely, enjoying the space instead of navigating clutter.
- Less stress: Clutter can be overwhelming. Imagine looking around and seeing a home you love instead.
- Less debt: Spending less on material possessions means your finances are healthier, and your home isn’t filled with unnecessary things.
- More cost-effective: Decluttering ensures you don’t move unnecessary items, saving money on moving expenses.
Now that you know the benefits of decluttering, you might wonder where to start.
How to Start Decluttering When Overwhelmed
If you’re asking, ‘My house is so cluttered I don’t know where to start.’ The secret on how to start decluttering when overwhelmed is proper planning. Preparation is key!
Here’s how to declutter your home.
Outline Your Decluttering Plan and Timeline
Before you start, create a plan. Setting specific goals can help you avoid frustration, no matter how much clutter you have. Consider these decluttering tips:
- Map out your clutter: Draw a map of the rooms and areas you want to tackle.
- Prioritise: Rate each space based on its clutter level to decide where to start.
- Focus on one area at a time.
- Set deadlines: Create achievable timelines for each phase of your cleanup.
- Plan for larger tasks: Schedule time for decluttering areas like the basement or garage that may take longer.
Categorise Your Belongings
As you declutter your home for your move, you’ll need a system for sorting items. You can create your method or use the popular Three-Box Method. This method forces you to decide item by item and avoids creating more mess.
Gather three boxes or bins labelled “Keep,” “Get Rid Of,” and “Put In Storage.” Use these decluttering tips to sort your items:
- Keep: Items you use daily. After completing each space, place these items in their designated homes. Ideally, they should be stored neatly in containers or drawers and labelled.
- Get Rid Of: Items you no longer need. After completing each space, decide whether to donate or throw each item away. Store items for donation or sale outside the home, either in your vehicle or a storage bin in the garage. Make sure you throw your things properly or better yet, hire rubbish removal services.
- Put In Storage: Seasonal or sentimental items. After completing each space, place these items in storage containers. Label the containers, include an inventory sheet, and stack them neatly in a designated storage area.
Eliminate Unnecessary Possessions
To declutter your home before your move helps you avoid packing unnecessary items. Here are some ways to deal with the “Get Rid Of” box:
- Donate or Sell Online: Give unwanted items a new life! Donate to local charities (check their donation guidelines) or sell them online through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or OfferUp. This can help you declutter and earn extra cash to offset moving costs. Check our donate furniture and donate clothes guide to have a better idea where to find a home for your things.
- Recycle: If your new neighbourhood offers curbside recycling, toss those recyclable items in the appropriate bin after checking if they’re accepted. Otherwise, take them to a designated recycling drop-off centre.
- Moving Sale (Optional): Consider a moving sale if you have time and energy. Check with your neighbours or homeowner’s association for designated sale dates. Keep in mind that this adds another task to your already busy moving schedule.
- Dumpster Rental (Last Resort): Consider renting a dumpster for items too damaged to donate or sell. This is ideal for large quantities of unwanted items, especially bulky items that won’t fit in your moving truck.
Declutter Checklist: Room-by-Room Approach
You have the tools to declutter your home. Now, let’s follow a room-by-room guide. This is the most efficient way to organise and declutter; you can usually finish each room on a weekend.
Declutter Your Home Checklist: How to Declutter Bedroom
A decluttered bedroom can make packing much easier and less stressful when moving. A tidy space means fewer items to pack, move, and unpack in your new home.
Bedrooms often accumulate unwanted items from other rooms.
Decluttering your bedroom can take a few hours to a whole weekend, depending on how cluttered it is.
Begin with Drawers
To declutter your bedroom drawers:
- Empty the drawers.
- Evaluate each item:
- Does it belong in the bedroom? If not, move it to the appropriate room.
- Have you used or worn it in the last year? If not, discard it or donate it.
- Organise items back in drawers:
- Use dividers or containers to group similar items together.
- Repurpose boxes or containers for drawer storage.
- Add shelf paper for easier cleaning.
Following these steps can effectively declutter your bedroom drawers and create a more organised space.
Maintain Clutter-Free Surfaces
Keep your dresser and nightstand mostly clear. A few decorations, like pictures or a lamp, are fine. But try to limit items on each surface to five or fewer. A less cluttered room will feel more relaxing and peaceful.
Maximise Space with Storage Bins
Use storage bins for items you don’t need year-round to make the most of your space, like toys and seasonal clothes. Store kids’ toys in baskets, toy chests, or shelves. If you have too many toys, consider donating some. Seasonal items like clothes, bedding, and decorations can be stored in bins under the bed or closets. Space-saving bags are also helpful for bulky items.
Declutter Your Home Checklist: How to Declutter Closet
Cleaning out your closet can be a great way to relax. By sorting through your clothes, shoes, and other things, you’re tidying up your home and clearing your mind of any negative feelings attached to these items. This task can be done quickly, but it might take a few days if your closet is full.
As you declutter, keep these three boxes handy: one for things you’ll keep, one for things you’ll get rid of, and one for things you’ll store.
Declutter Your Closet in a Systematic Manner
Instead of starting at the top, it’s easier to begin decluttering your closet from the bottom. This will give you more space to work and make the whole process feel less overwhelming.
Use slim velvet hangers to save space on your hanging rod and make your closet look neater. For drawers, fold your clothes neatly and use dividers to keep them organised.
Give Your Clothes and Shoes a New Home
When decluttering clothes, remember the 80/20 rule: We usually wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time, so you can probably get rid of a lot of stuff.
To decide what to keep, ask yourself: Does it fit? Is it damaged? Have you worn it recently? If the answer is no to any of these, it’s time to eliminate it. Seasonal clothes and items with sentimental value can go into storage.
Wipe Down Closet Shelves
When cleaning your closet for a move, start by removing everything. Clean the shelves and remove anything you won’t need in your new place. Don’t pile clothes or put things behind hanging clothes. You should be able to see everything without moving things around too much. Use shelves to store smaller things in boxes.
If your closet is for more than just clothes, don’t just stack everything. Add more shelves or hooks to keep things organised. This will make packing and unpacking much easier.
Declutter Your Home Checklist: How to Declutter Living Room
When moving, decluttering your living room is crucial for a smoother transition. A cluttered space can create stress and make packing more difficult. The primary purpose of a living room is relaxation, but a chaotic environment can hinder this goal. Following these decluttering tips, you can transform your living room into a calm and organised space, making your move less stressful and enjoyable.
Reduce Decorations and Remove Unwanted Items
If you have too much stuff, it can feel crowded. Hang pictures and add shelves to free up table space. Keep only a few throw pillows and blankets.
Over time, a lot of stuff ends up in the living room. Remove items that belong in other rooms, like toys, mail, or dishes.
You probably have too many books, CDs, and DVDs. Sort through them and donate or sell what you don’t need. Consider converting media to digital format to save space. Get rid of broken or unused items.
Here’s a guide on where to donate books in Sydney.
Create More Storage in Your Home
When decluttering your living room for a move, you might have too much stuff that belongs there. Here are some storage ideas:
- Use baskets for toys and blankets.
- Install shelves for games, DVDs, and other media.
- Get storage furniture like ottomans or trunks.
- Some couches and loungers have built-in storage.
- Get other furniture with storage, like entertainment centres with shelves or chests behind the couch.
Declutter Your Home Checklist: How to Declutter Home Office
Getting ready for an office move? Declutter your home office in one afternoon. Get organised and be more productive.
Categorise and Organise Paper Documents
You probably have office clutter even if you don’t have a home office. This usually includes papers like important documents, bills, and receipts. When decluttering, start with the papers.
Sort papers into three piles: “File,” “To-Do,” and “Trash.” File the important papers, put the to-do pile in a basket, and throw away or shred the trash.
Here are more tips for decluttering papers:
- Scan important documents and receipts, then shred the paper.
- Store older files in a plastic bin in your basement or garage.
- Designate a space for important mail or papers you must act on soon.
Clear Your Desk and Organise Your Drawers
Keep only the essentials on your desk: a computer, a lamp, and other necessary items. Limit knickknacks. Store office supplies in drawers to keep your desk tidy.
To organise your drawers:
- Empty them.
- Remove unnecessary items. Get rid of anything you won’t need in the next year or haven’t used in six months.
- Organise items by type. To avoid having loose items in drawers, use drawer organisers or small containers for storage.
Manage Cords
Taming your cords is optional but can improve your workspace’s appearance. You can also try these simple hacks:
- Label cords: Use tape to identify which cord belongs to each device.
- Use binder clips: Keep frequently unplugged cords organised with binder clips.
- Tie up excess cables: Use twist-ties or rubber bands to secure loose cables.
Declutter Your Home Checklist: How to Declutter Kitchen
The kitchen is often the most cluttered room in the house. With dishes, cookware, utensils, appliances, food, spices, and more, clutter can easily build up in cabinets, drawers, and on countertops. Decluttering your kitchen can make cooking less stressful. Try these tips to reclaim your space over the weekend.
Tackle Your Countertops First
Kitchen counters tend to accumulate clutter. A good starting point for decluttering your kitchen is to clear off your counters.
Follow these steps:
- Keep only essentials: Leave only 3-5 essential items on your counter, like a coffee maker or knife block. Temporarily place other items on the table or floor.
- Put items away: Find a new home for everything you removed from the counter. Dispose of papers or junk mail, or move necessary items to your office.
This decluttering project can be done quickly. Even if your counters are cluttered, this initial step can refresh your kitchen in a few minutes or an hour.
Create Functional Zones in Your Kitchen
Declutter your kitchen one section at a time. Creating zones can help you stay organised.
- Cooking zone: Place cooking utensils, pots, and pans near the stove for easy access.
- Baking zone: Store baking supplies in a cabinet or shelf unless you bake daily. If your mixer is on the countertop, keep baking supplies near it.
- Storage zone: Designate a specific area for storage bags, cling wrap, aluminium foil, and cleaning supplies.
Give Your Items a New Life
If you haven’t used something in a year, consider throwing it away or donating it. Store infrequently used items in another part of your home, especially if your kitchen is limited in space.
- Small appliances: Get rid of appliances you use rarely, like food dehydrators or deep fryers. Keep only the appliances you use, especially multi-functional ones.
- Plastic storage containers: Purge excess containers, especially if you have more lids than bottoms. Keep a few spares in the kitchen, but store the rest elsewhere.
- Pots and pans: Evaluate your cookware based on your stove’s burners. Donate duplicates or infrequently used items, like woks.
Keep your kitchen simple to avoid clutter. If you’re unsure about discarding something, store it in a box for a year. If you don’t need it, donate it.
If you really want to move your fridge, then check out our guide for a smooth relocation.
Declutter Your Home Checklist: How to Declutter Your Bathroom
Remove items from countertops, shelves, and drawers to organise your bathroom. You might be surprised by how much you have. You can declutter your bathroom in one afternoon.
Transform Your Space by Getting Rid of Excess
Clear your counters, empty your drawers, and clean your linen closets. Decluttering multiple bathrooms at once can help you identify excess items. You might have more soap than you need.
If you have a nearly empty product, use it within a month or throw it away. Donate excess towels to an animal shelter. Get rid of items you don’t like, such as bath bombs or fancy soaps.
Put Similar Items Together
After removing all items, organise them into categories like medicine, towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies, and makeup. This will help you assess your belongings and identify clutter. Combine duplicates and discard empty bottles or packaging.
Implement Organisational Systems
Dividers, organisers, boxes, and baskets are essential for storing small bathroom items. Grouping similar items together neatly makes it easier to get ready in the morning.
Repurpose small boxes or plastic containers you already have as drawer organisers.
Remove as many items as possible from your bathroom counters. Store daily-used items on a tray, shelf, or in an accessible drawer.
Declutter Your Home Checklist: How to Declutter Your Garage
Old sports equipment, storage boxes, tools, and car parts often end up in garages. Decluttering your garage can be difficult but achievable.
Remove All Items and Eliminate Unwanted Possessions
Remove every item from your garage and sort through them. Although there might be exceptions, completely emptying the garage will maximise your success.
As you sort items, categorise them and discard duplicates you won’t need in the next five years. Sell or donate these items. Also, get rid of worn or damaged items.
Categorise and Organise
Before returning items to the garage, group similar items together, such as tools, sporting equipment, gardening equipment, and hardware.
Organise your garage into zones for holiday decor, camping gear, ski equipment, and other items. This will help you easily locate specific items when needed.
Implement Additional Storage Solutions and Organisational
Consider buying storage bins, a tool cabinet, or a pegboard for hanging items. Install sturdy shelving to use vertical space. Create elevated storage space to make the most of the room. Clearly label all boxes, bins, and drawers for easy identification.
Decluttering Tips for A Streamlined Move
Decluttering your home can significantly reduce stress and simplify the packing process when preparing for a move. Here’s how these decluttering tips can be adapted to your moving journey:
- Take Baby Steps to Declutter. Begin by decluttering areas directly impacting your move, such as the kitchen, living room, and bedrooms. As you declutter, you’ll identify items you no longer need, reducing the amount you have to pack and move.
- Regularly Donate or Sell Unwanted Items. Consider holding a moving sale to sell items you no longer need. Research local charities or donation centres that offer convenient drop-off options.
- The Four-Box Method for Efficient Moving. Modify the categories to include “Keep for Moving,” “Donate,” “Sell,” and “Discard.” As you sort items, you’ll clearly understand what to pack, donate, or sell.
- Enlist the Help of Friends or Family. Enlist their help packing, loading, and unloading boxes. Their fresh perspective can help you identify items you might overlook. Our packing tips will further help you.
- Document the Process. Seeing the transformation can motivate you to declutter other areas of your home. Documenting your progress can help you stay focused and organised.
By incorporating these decluttering tips into your moving preparation, you can streamline the process, reduce stress, and easily transition to your new home.
How to Declutter Your House: Mission Accomplished
Decluttering isn’t just about aesthetics but also about clarity and tranquillity. A clutter-free home can significantly improve your mood and productivity. Removing unnecessary items reduces visual distractions and the overwhelming feeling of unfinished tasks, making it easier to maintain a clean and organised space.
Now that the decluttering part is fixed, let Moving Mates handle your moving needs. We’ll make sure your belongings are transported safely and securely. Contact us today to experience a stress-free moving process.
