How to Declutter Before a Move

Decluttering: you either love it or hate it! For some, it's refreshing to pare down on old or unused belongings to make room for new and better items. But for others, it can be difficult to get rid of items that hold practical or sentimental value. Either way, when you're planning a move, you'll want to take the time to declutter before moving. That's why the team at Andrews Installation Group was happy to put together this short guide to give you some tips on how to declutter before a move.

First, we'll go over why it's so important to declutter and then give you some tips on how to make the most of this process.

Key Takeaways

• Start decluttering before moving as early as possible, you have more stuff than you think

• Begin with rooms you use the least, like the garage or basement

• Sort items into clear piles: keep, discard, donate, sell, shred, store, and recycle

• Involve your kids so nothing important gets accidentally tossed

• Don't be afraid to ask family or friends for help

• Decluttering before moving saves you time, money, and stress on moving day

• Go through everything, the payoff is absolutely worth it

Why Is It Important to Declutter Before Moving?

Decluttering can feel like a daunting task. And in many cases, it is! After all, we spend years collecting clothes, items, and equipment that can pile up without us realizing it. But when it comes time to move, you'll save considerable stress if you declutter before moving first. Here are just a few reasons why it's important to declutter before moving.

Save time. Packing can take a long time. But when you declutter, you'll spend a little less time packing boxes. It may even speed the moving process along if the movers have to load fewer boxes.

Save money. How, exactly, does decluttering before moving save you money? Simple! The fewer items you have to move, the less space your belongings will take up in the moving truck, and the less money you'll pay for moving services.

Relieve some stress. Although the process of decluttering can get a little stressful, the relief you'll feel afterward is unmatched. Many homeowners feel relieved after they have cleared out unused, broken, or unwanted items. Plus, some even find this process therapeutic!

Make some extra cash. If you have items that are in good condition, consider selling them at a community garage sale. This might help you earn a bit of extra cash on the side. Or, if you can donate some items, you may get money back on your tax return at the end of the year.

How to Declutter Before a Move: Where Do You Even Begin?

Now that we've gone over why decluttering before moving is so beneficial, let's review some tips for starting the process.

Get Motivated

Let's face it: most homeowners don't look forward to decluttering. After all, it takes a considerable amount of time and energy. So don't be ashamed if it takes a little bit of motivation to keep going! Remind yourself how great it will feel to clear out old belongings and save some money.

Should You Start Decluttering Early?

We can't stress this enough: don't procrastinate! It's far better to have too much time than not enough. You'll be surprised at how much more you own than you think you do. Giving yourself plenty of time can help you get organized and break the process down into manageable portions. Plus, the more time you have to declutter before moving, the less stressful the process will be (which is a great thing for everyone involved).

Schedule Times for Decluttering

It can be hard to stick to a plan if it doesn't have a schedule or timeline. So, to make your decluttering process more organized, create a routine where you dedicate a certain amount of time per week to declutter. Schedule one to three hours of dedicated time on a specific day of the week, preferably the same day of the week. This will create a routine that you can stick to so that you can make progress.

Check out our guide on how to pack furniture for moving for tips on protecting your pieces before moving day. 

Which Rooms Should You Declutter First?

It can be tempting to start decluttering rooms that we are most familiar with or use every day, such as bedrooms and kitchens. However, we recommend starting with the rooms you use the least often. This way, you'll avoid being overwhelmed when making decisions, especially concerning potentially sentimental items.

For example, start with a room like the basement or garage. Are there old tools, toys, or other items that you can quickly discard? This will train your brain to think about the purpose and value behind each object. By the time you get to the more important rooms, you will already be a pro at determining what stays or goes!

Don't Get Swept Up in Memories

Eventually, you'll end up sorting through items with sentimental value. Although there is no way to avoid feeling the flood of memories that surface when you see certain objects, do your best to pull yourself back into the present. Dealing with strong memories can cause us to become distracted as we recall fun trips, past birthday parties, and more. If the emotional urges are strong, keep the item to revisit at a later date.

Don't Underestimate the Power of Piles!

Decluttering doesn't just involve deciding what items you want to get rid of. The other half of the battle is figuring out what to actually do with those items. One of our favorite ways to get organized is to sort items into piles to determine what you want to do with them. Here are a few examples of the piles you can set up during the process:

• Keep

• Discard

• Donate

• Sell

• Shred (think of old paper documents)

• Storage

• Recycle (either literally or upcycling the item as a gift)

Involve Your Kids

This may take a little bit longer, but it can be extremely rewarding to involve your kids when it comes to decluttering their possessions. Not only will this save you from making a mistake (like throwing away a favorite toy), but it will also teach your child some emotional skills, and they will learn how to declutter later in life.

Don't Be Afraid to Ask for Help

Decluttering is a long process, and it can be stressful to do by yourself. Find ways to involve your family, friends, or even coworkers (if you are moving to a new office). If you're handling a commercial relocation, it's worth looking into professional commercial furniture installation services that can take the heavy coordination off your plate entirely. And if you're not quite ready to move everything at once, Andrews Installation Group also offers asset management and storage solutions to keep your items safe and organized until you're ready. No matter what you decide, there's no shame in asking for some help!

Go Through Everything!

Yes, we mean everything! You'll have to pack for the move anyway, so you might as well go through everything you own to potentially save some space on the moving van. The payoff will be well worth the effort. You'll be starting in a new space with only the items that you need and love the most. So take the time to do this decluttering right!

Decluttering Checklist: What to Sort Through in Every Room

Here are some of the most common items to sort through in each room to help you get started.

Living Room/Family Room

• Books

• Magazines

• Old/unused DVDs, CDs, or VHS tapes

• Video game consoles, games, and controllers

• Pet toys and bedding

Kitchen

• Unused or broken utensils

• Expired food

• Small appliances

• Tools and equipment

• Plastic containers and lids

• Cookbooks

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

• Clothing hangers

• Jewelry and accessories

• Clothes and shoes

• Expired medications

• Toiletries

• Old cosmetics

• Beauty tools

How to Declutter Before a Move: Final Thoughts

We hope this short guide has helped you feel a little more comfortable with the how to declutter before a move. If you have questions or want to know more moving tips, feel free to contact us or view our other resources here. We are happy to help with your next moving project!

Planning a move in Arizona? The team at Andrews Installation Group has been helping families across Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale, and surrounding areas make their moves as smooth and stress-free as possible. Reach out today to see how we can help! 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I start decluttering before a move?
A: Earlier than feels necessary. You have more stuff than you think, always. A weekend blitz right before moving day sounds efficient but usually just turns into a stressed-out mess. An hour or two a week, spread out, actually gets more done.

Q: Which rooms should I start with when decluttering before moving?
A: Start with the garage, basement, storage closet, or any other space where you're least attached to what's inside. Old tools and random cords are easy decisions. Save the bedroom and the box of photos for once you've had some practice saying no to things.

Q: What do I do with the stuff I'm getting rid of when I declutter before moving?
A: Split it into piles as you go: keep, donate, sell, toss, shred, and store. Anything still in good shape can go in a garage sale or on Facebook Marketplace for a little extra cash, and donations sometimes help come tax season.

Q: Does decluttering before moving actually save money?
A: It does. Less stuff means a smaller load, which usually means a smaller bill. And packing goes faster too, so you're saving time on both sides.

Q: How do I get through the sentimental stuff without spiraling?
A: You're going to lose an hour to old photos at some point, that's just how it goes. If something's genuinely hard to decide on, don't force it, just set it in a "revisit later" pile and keep moving. You can make that call another day.