{"id":513,"date":"2017-10-05T00:00:13","date_gmt":"2017-10-05T00:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moving.tips\/?p=513"},"modified":"2017-10-05T13:17:16","modified_gmt":"2017-10-05T13:17:16","slug":"declutter-home-before-moving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/moving.tips\/pre-move-tips\/declutter-home-before-moving\/","title":{"rendered":"How to declutter your home before moving"},"content":{"rendered":"

It is inevitable that stuff piles up in the home as time goes by \u2013 shelves, drawers, and cabinets, start overflowing with clothes, toys, dishes, books, decorations, hobby materials and various other odds and ends; storage spaces get filled with old household items and dusty boxes that hold all sorts of memorabilia and rarely used objects; you can even find some things hiding in the corners and under the beds.<\/p>\n

The longer you have lived in a home, the more items you will have accumulated. You may not even notice all the clutter \u2013 it feels as a part of the home. When the time comes to move house, however, and you look around at your stuff, you may be overwhelmed by dread \u2013 packing and relocating all these things will require enormous amount of time, effort and money.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s the moment to consider decluttering for your move<\/strong>. By lightening your load, you\u2019ll save yourself plenty of time and energy (for packing and unpacking) and will reduce the cost of your move<\/a> (your shipment will weigh less and the time required for moving your items will be shorter). What\u2019s more, you\u2019ll have a clutter-free home to begin your new life in.<\/p>\n

All you need to do to achieve this is declutter your home before moving.<\/p>\n

How to determine the fate of your items when decluttering for a move<\/h2>\n

When you start organizing and packing your belongings for moving, don\u2019t just put them all in the boxes \u2013 look at each and every item and weigh its value. There are several important factors to consider when deciding its fate:<\/p>\n

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  1. Your new lifestyle<\/strong> \u2013 Will you need this item in your new surroundings? Will you be able to use it? (Your gardening tools may not be very useful if you\u2019re moving to an apartment, right?);<\/li>\n
  2. The size and style of your new home <\/strong>\u2013 Will you have enough space for this item in your new home? Will it fit in? Will it match your interior d\u00e9cor? (Your old ornate armoire may not fit the sleek, modern look you want for your new living room or bedroom.);<\/li>\n
  3. Your practical needs <\/strong>\u2013 Do you use this item often? Do you need it on a daily basis or on rare occasions? Do you need it at all? (Your bakery set may be a good one, but if you never bake at home, why bring it along?);<\/li>\n
  4. The condition of the item <\/strong>\u2013 Is it well preserved? Is it durable and functional? (There is little point in moving an old item only to replace it in a couple of years, not to mention damaged items or expired products);<\/li>\n
  5. The sentimental value of the item <\/strong>\u2013 Is it a family heirloom? Does it remind you of something or someone special? Is it a favorite of yours or of another member of the family? (There are sentimental items you will hold onto, no matter what, but not all of your memorabilia is worth keeping \u2013 discarding an item won\u2019t make you forget the associated memories, after all. Besides, certain things are better let go of.);<\/li>\n
  6. The cost of moving the item <\/strong>\u2013 Can you afford to move it? Does it make financial sense to pay for its relocation?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The answers to the above questions will help you determine what\u2019s worth taking to your new home and what you should get rid of prior to your move<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    What to declutter before a move<\/h2>\n

    Here are some of the things you may want to declutter before you move:<\/p>\n