For many people, moving presents the perfect opportunity to declutter. If you plan to relocate, reevaluate your possessions and purge everything that will not add value to your life in your new home to lighten your load and make your move so much easier.
To help you save time and money by decluttering your life and home, we've compiled the following how-to guide to help you during your move:
How to Declutter Your Stuff While Moving
1. Create A Decluttering Checklist
Out of sight, out of mind. Begin by inventorying your home to uncover even your long-forgotten items. To have a visual representation of where to start, create a decluttering checklist. Using the checklist, it becomes a lot easier to pack and remain organized while moving.
The process of unpacking and settling into your new home will also be smoother once you've removed the extra clutter.
2. Consolidate Your Closets
If you have stuff that you've not worn for a year or shoes and clothes, and you no longer feel comfortable lying in your bedroom or walk-in closet, it's a sign you don't need them.
Once you come across such items while preparing for your move, purge them before moving out. Consider selling them online or at a garage sale. If you are not into selling them, give them away.
3. Use Three Boxes Trick
Declutter every room in the house using the three boxes trick. Once you enter a room, place each item into one of the three boxes regardless of how significant you think it is:
- Box 1—The regular stuff you intend to move into your new home gets placed inside this box.
- Box 2—All the things you intend to sell, gift out, or donate will fall into this category.
- Box 3—Box away everything you intend to throw away, such as in this box. This includes all items worn out beyond usability and items broken beyond repair.
4. Sort Your Paperwork Out
Whereas paperwork is essential, you don't need your bills and Christmas cards for the past five years. Designate a box with clearly labeled folders for each paperwork category and collect all your paperwork into one place.
However, sensitive documents such as tax records and bank statements can be kept in a self-storage unit.
5. Scrap Unwanted Decor and Sentimental Objects
Before moving, get rid of all sentimental objects you do not wish to bring into your life. If you've settled on a decoration scheme for your new home, consider getting rid of them if they are not the right fit.
6. Create Item Categories
Storage experts recommend sorting items by category. Designating categories for select household items will make the organization of related items quicker and more efficient. For instance, you can create categories to suit similar items scattered in your basement, garage, and attic.
7. Declutter One Room at a Time
Decluttering several rooms all at once is sure to bring up various distractions that cause you to lose track of time and your priorities. Setting mini-goals such as decluttering one room at a time will help you maintain focus and avoid distractions.
8. Get Timely Help When Decluttering
Underestimating the time needed to declutter your home means that you will likely struggle to finish up the packing process while moving.
Reach out to friends and family early just in case you need help finishing up. If you're a Keeper, involve someone who is not when choosing what to declutter and what not to declutter.
9. Be Honest with Yourself
Before the packing marathon, be ruthless with the choice of items you intend to keep. Ask yourself all the hard questions before you can hold on to any of your stuff.
Be honest with yourself and if you realize that your reasons for holding on to them are not the right reasons, let them go.
10. Rent a Self-Storage Unit
Removing all the items, you will not be moving to your new home is the final step when decluttering your home for a move.
Here's how renting a Self-storage unit can help you remain in control of an otherwise stressful situation:
- The self-storage unit can be your plan B in case you run into problems on moving day.
- Holding your items in a storage unit, then moving them into your new home slowly will buy you some time to plan and decide what fits where.
- If you're moving overseas, keeping your belongings in a self-storage unit will allow you to travel freely and move all your stuff when you are ready to receive it.
- A storage unit comes in handy if you're moving into a furnished home.
- Moving items into your self-storage by yourself will reduce moving time and costs.
Need a self-storage unit to facilitate your house move? Contact Blue Mountain Self Storage online to find out or give us a call on (828) 206-2929.
