Why You Should Declutter Your House Before You Move
Downsizing your house? There’s one word that you’re going to become extremely familiar with: minimalism. Decluttering and implementing a minimal interior design go hand in hand.
But we’re not talking about doing this once you’re in your new space. You should declutter your house before you move everything over. You’ll save yourself money if you move less, as well as save yourself time required for unpacking and setting up in your new home. Let’s go through a few tips to help you declutter before your move.
Top Tips for Decluttering
The golden rule of decluttering is to give yourself time. Take the time to go through the things you have, and throw out or give away anything you don’t need. You don’t need those dozens of boxes with all the little random things that you just threw in there – loose change, paperwork, and old clothes etc. Remember the old saying: If you haven’t used it in six months, you’re probably not going to use it again.
Set yourself an hour each day to declutter then pack four boxes. Pack up everything that’s non-essential to your everyday life first.
It’s a good idea to make a list of categories that you won’t need to have access to until you’re settled in the new house. It could look something like this:
- Books
- Collections
- Decor
- Serving and entertaining items in the kitchen
- Canning and food preserving supplies
- Camping and outdoor gear
- Toy sets
- Hobby supplies
- Holiday items
Now, once you’ve got your list, get yourself two boxes (one for moving, the other for giveaway) and a rubbish bag. Look objectively at what’s in front of you. Distribute the items from each category between both boxes and the bag. Then take a second look at the ‘moving’ box and ensure every item in there is something you often use.
It’s important to take out the emotion here. We tend to hold onto things that we no longer use because they remind us of a certain time or place. While it’s great to have memories, too many of these “keepsakes” can lead to cluttered, messy spaces. Only hold onto the items that are extremely sentimental – the rest should go.
It can help to imagine you’re living out of your suitcase. Cast your mind back to those weeks when you backpacked around Europe, Asia or America. This is an effective way to remind yourself how little you really need. And how liberating it is to live minimally.
For more tips to help you plan and organise your home, check back in for new articles. And if even thinking about packing up your entire house gives you a headache, hire our team of removalists to help you!
