A Room by Room Guide to Decluttering Before You Pack

Moving to a new home is one of the best opportunities to hit the reset button on your belongings. Most people do not realize how much they have accumulated until they start pulling items out of the back of closets and from under the stairs. Packing and moving things you no longer use is a waste of energy, box space, and money.

The goal of decluttering is simple: only move what you love, what you need, and what will serve a purpose in your new space. Here is how to tackle the process room by room without feeling overwhelmed.

Start with a clear system

‍Before you open a single drawer, set up three designated areas or large bins. Label them Keep, Donate, and Toss. Having a physical space for each category prevents you from second guessing your decisions. If an item does not fit into one of these categories within ten seconds, it is likely a candidate for the donate pile.

The kitchen edit

‍The kitchen is often the most cluttered room in the house because of its high utility. Start by looking at your small appliances. If you have not used that bread maker or specialized juicer in the last year, it is time to let it go. Check your plastic containers and toss anything that is missing a lid or is badly stained. Finally, go through your pantry and donate unopened, non perishable goods to a local food bank so you do not have to pack heavy cans.

The closet purge

‍Clothes take up a surprising amount of volume in a moving trailer. Use the one year rule. If you have not worn it in the last four seasons, you probably will not wear it in the new house. Be honest about items that no longer fit or are out of style. Moving is a fresh start, so do not bring old versions of yourself into your new closet. High quality items can be sold at consignment shops to help fund your moving expenses.

The bathroom and linen closet

‍Bathrooms often hide expired medications, old makeup, and nearly empty bottles of lotion. These items are messy to move and rarely worth the effort. Dispose of expired items safely. In the linen closet, evaluate your towel and sheet collection. You likely only need two sets of sheets per bed. Old, tattered towels make great donations for local animal shelters.

The garage and storage areas

‍This is where the heavy lifting happens. Garages often become a graveyard for half finished projects and broken tools. If you have boxes that have remained unopened since your last move, do not even open them now. Donate them or throw them away. Moving less weight means a faster loading process and a lower bill.

Ready to move?

‍Once you have lightened your load, Flex Moving and Storage is here to help. Our flexible trailer sizes mean you only pay for the space you actually use, making your decluttering efforts pay off instantly.

‍