5 Tips for Decluttering Your Home Before a Move
If you’re planning a move anytime in the near future, one of the most beneficial things you can do before the big move is to take the time to declutter your space. Moving gives you the opportunity to start fresh, so why not start by getting rid of unwanted things first?
Besides giving you less to actually move, if you’re selling or renting your current space, decluttering will help potential buyers or renters see your space at its optimal potential. Prospective buyers want to be able to envision themselves in the house, so by trading in the clutter for a neater and more polished space, you’re one step ahead of the game. If you’re about to embark on a decluttering of your own, take a look at our 5 professional tips to help you get the most out of organizing your space.
1. Know Your Options
Before you start the decluttering process, make sure you know your options. We suggest making 3 piles, one for selling, one for donating, and one for keeping. Just make sure you’re realistic about your items. Damaged or heavily used items won’t make the best donations, so it’s better to toss them and focus on items that others may potentially need. Many organizations like the Salvation Army or Goodwill will come to your home and pick up your donations if you schedule a pickup ahead of time. So when you’re decluttering, make sure to look in to these options as well as utilizing sites like Ebay, Craigslist, and Amazon.
2. Hire Professionals to Help
If you have a large space or have been living in your home for quite some time, you might want to consider hiring professionals to help you organize your belongings or remove unwanted items. While you’re the only one that can decide whether to toss or keep something, hiring professional organizers to help you go through your items will make the task a lot easier. If you’re planning on getting rid of big furniture items, professional movers will also be able to take these items out of the way for you.
3. Toss It
As a rule of thumb in your decluttering process, if you haven’t used it in the past six months, get rid of it. While it’s easy to form a sentimental attachment to that old dresser you got at an antique sale years ago, take a step back and rate your need for the item. If it’s gathering dust in your space, it’s probably better to toss it than to go through the hassle of moving it into your new home. The same goes with old clothing, if you haven’t worn it in a year, you probably won’t miss it.
4. Add Hidden Storage
While tossing unwanted items is a huge part of the decluttering process, another big part is what to do with the things you’re keeping. This is where adding hidden storage comes into play. Instead of piling your storage in your basement, think of the little areas that you can store things. For example, if you have high kitchen cabinets, consider is as a space for items you don’t use very often like vases and specialty dishes. In addition, things like antique trunks make great storage spaces and can double as coffee tables.
5. Take a Step Back
While the decluttering process may seem overwhelming, take on each room one day at a time and make sure you’re not throwing things away to speed up the process or haphazardly packing things just to get it over with. In this case, the reward is worth the effort. Just think, you’ll be happy when you’re carrying 50 boxes instead of 100 up the stairs to your new home.
