Decluttering Before a Move

Moving is such an exciting time! You have a new home you can’t wait to start making memories in. Packing everything up is the part most of us dread. Since a move is all about new beginnings, the last thing you want to do is move a bunch of stuff you don’t really love or need. We’ve compiled some tips and tricks to help make it easier to declutter before you move. 

1. Think Through What You Have and Pare it Down 

Write out a list of categories of things you have multiples of (examples include books, movies, kids toys and hanging clothes). Now think about what a reasonable amount of each thing would be for you. You could even break clothing into subcategories like sweaters, pants, and t-shirts. Just make sure to write a number by each one. This is the amount of that thing you get to take with you. The rest can get donated or sold. You’ll love the way your new space feels without the extra stuff.

1. Take it Room by Room 

When we’re in a rush, we tend to try to get everything we can think of out of the house as quickly as possible. The problem with this is that it can be super overwhelming and counterproductive. It starts to feel like a monumental task, but it doesn’t have to.

Instead, declutter one room at a time. If you are in a time crunch, start with the room that has the most clutter and junk, or the one you have not decluttered in a while. Having a starting point allows you to dive into decluttering without feeling too overwhelmed, and if you start here, you will feel a sense of satisfaction with the visible change.

1. Keep Your New Home in Mind 

Decluttering with your new home in mind helps you to focus on what you really want to take with you. Think about what will easily fit into your new place. What furniture is going to fit without making the space look cramped?  What tone are you trying to set? And what things have you evolved from that won’t fit your style or the flow of the new home? A move is a great time for a fresh start. Have a yard sale and invite others to love the stuff that won’t work in your new space.

1. Make the Process Fit into your Normal Schedule   

Nothing will keep you from decluttering faster than the belief that you don’t have the time. Trying to carve out an entire day or week to declutter often seems like the best way to go, but often that’s just not the case. You will more likely get burnt out and find any excuse to move on to something else. Instead, think about the normal flow of your day. When can you spare 10 to 30 minutes? What section of a room can you go through in that time frame? Once you have answered those questions set a timer and get to work! Before you know it, you will have made some great progress

 Decluttering might not be the best part of your move, but it shouldn't be the most dreaded either. We hope these tips help you to have a smooth transition into your new home.

Just as home decluttering is important, so is your mortgage! EPM is here to help with that, by phone or online. You can reach us toll-free at 877-255-3554 or start your journey to homeownership online by finding a Mortgage Loan Originator in your local area.