Moving to a new home is exciting. Although stressful, a new home brings a fresh start and the perfect opportunity to have a proper clean out. Read on for tips on how to declutter when you’re moving out.
1. Give yourself time
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived in a place, it’s easy to accumulate clutter. Start at least a week before your moving day and carve out a couple of hours a day to tackle different rooms. This way, you’ll have boxes for each room and reduce the stress of unboxing when the time comes.
2. Use three boxes
Decluttering can be overwhelming, but new research shows that 35% of people found it to be therapeutic and 27% found it to be rewarding. Perhaps it’s down to following a method that allows you to declutter efficiently. Our favorite is: divide your stuff into three boxes for things you’ll keep, things you’ll throw away/recycle and things to donate to charity or freecycle. This methodical approach allows you to see exactly where your items are going and make the whole process less stressful.
3. Make some cash
SOURCE: PEXELS
One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. The things that you no longer have use for could be more valuable than you think. That old record you never listen to or the shoes you haven’t worn in years or the old book collecting dust could be what someone is looking for. Advertise them online on a buying-and-selling site. You might be able to cover a part of the moving cost – or have some spare change for a well-deserved treat afterwards.
4. Be brutal
If you don’t use it, lose it. Even though this can be easier said than done, you’ll thank yourself when your new home has less mess laying around. A good rule of thumb is; if you haven’t used the item in the last six months–and you don’t see yourself using it in the next six months – then you should get rid of it. Unless it has a high sentimental value, it may be best to consider if you can donate or gift it. And if it is a sentimental item you can’t part with consider sending such items in to storage.
5. Keep decluttering
SOURCE: PEXELS
Once you’ve done all the hard work of getting rid of stuff you don’t use, keep the momentum going by decluttering as you go. It can be tempting to go out and buy some cute little knick-knacks for your new home. This can add clutter, so take an inventory of things you already have to spot any gaps you want to fill. Then, make a checklist of items that are missing before you go shopping. This will stop you from buying items you may not need. Cutting down on the things you buy means you have less to declutter in the future to keep more money in your pocket. Win-win.
Enjoy this new clean slate, a new home brings with it new energies and at times a new neighborhood to explore. These tips will help you transition to a new space a little more seamlessly.
