How to De-clutter Your Home Before a Move

Moving presents a prime opportunity to declutter your life, ensuring a fresh start in your new home. Thoughtfully assessing your belongings simplifies the moving process, saving you time, money, and reduces stress!

Why Declutter Before Moving?

Decluttering before a move offers numerous benefits:

• Reduced Moving Costs: Fewer items mean lower transportation expenses.​
• Simplified Packing and Unpacking: Managing and organizing becomes more straightforward with fewer possessions.​
• Fresh Start: Eliminating unnecessary items allows for a cleaner, more organized living space.​

How to Declutter in Preparation for Your Move

The “One Year Rule” will be your best friend when it comes time to slim down the amount of items you plan on taking with you when you move. If you haven’t used it in a year, consider letting it go. Chances are, you won’t even miss it once it’s gone—so embrace a minimalist mindset and declutter boldly. Consider following an influencer to get tips and tricks for decluttering and organization!

Touch everything! As simple as it sounds, by touching each item you plan to pack, you’ll be able to make quick determinations on what to do with each item. Pack, Sell, Donate, Trash. Taking a dusty, butied box from your closet and moving it to a storage unit or worse, a brand new closet, doesn’t help alleviate the problem!

1. Plan Your De-cluttering Timeline

Begin the decluttering process well before your moving date. This provides ample time to make thoughtful decisions without feeling rushed.​ We recommend starting the decluttering process at least 6 to 8 weeks before your move. This timeline allows you to work through each room methodically without feeling rushed. Here’s a suggested breakdown:

8 Weeks Before Moving:

Begin sorting through storage areas (garage, attic, basement, closets). Identify large or unused items that can be sold, donated, or discarded. If you’re considering selling items, set a hard and fast date for plan B. “If my items don’t sell by X date, they’re being donated or thrown away.” Clutter that doesn’t sell, usually becomes clutter again!

6 Weeks Before Moving:

Focus on decluttering rooms you don’t use daily (guest rooms, home office). For office spaces, consider digitizing paper documents to conserve space.

4 Weeks Before Moving:

Declutter high-traffic areas like the kitchen and living room, focusing on expired pantry items, duplicate kitchenware, and unnecessary decor.

2 Weeks Before Moving:

Finalize your essential belongings.

Last Week Before Moving:

Pack only essential items for the final days before the move, such as toiletries, a few outfits, important documents, and daily-use kitchenware.

2. Assess Each Item

• Frequency of Use: If you haven’t used an item in the past year, consider letting it go.​
• Condition: Dispose of broken or damaged items that you haven’t repaired.​
• Sentimental Value: Be selective about keeping items purely for emotional reasons.​

3. Tackle One Room at a Time

Focusing on a single area prevents feeling overwhelmed and allows for measurable progress.​

4. Plan for Unwanted Items

Arrange for donation pickups or schedule trips to recycling centers for items you’re discarding.​

Common Items Purge Before a Move

When preparing for a move, consider leaving these items:

• Expired or Unused Food – Toss perishables and expired pantry items.
• Outdated Electronics – Recycle or donate old gadgets that no longer work.
• Worn-Out Furniture – Get rid of damaged pieces or those that won’t fit in your new space.
• Duplicate Items – Minimize multiple versions of the same kitchen tools, linens, or decor.
• Clothing – Donate or discard clothes that don’t fit or haven’t been worn in a year.
• Old Magazines & Books – Recycle or donate to libraries and community centers.
• Unused Hobby Supplies – Let go of past hobbies that no longer interest you.

Final Thoughts

Decluttering before a move not only eases the transition but also helps you create a more intentional, stress-free living space. Start today—pick one room, apply the One Year Rule, and enjoy the benefits of a clutter-free home!