Decluttering Before a House Move

Moving home can be both exciting and stressful, especially when it comes to sorting through years of accumulated belongings.  

Whether you’re downsizing, upsizing or just moving somewhere better, decluttering before you even start packing can save time, money, and effort. A well-organised packing strategy not only makes the job easier, it also ensures that your new home starts off clutter-free and fresh.  

Start Early, Plan Strategically

One of the biggest mistakes people make when moving home is leaving decluttering and packing till the last minute. Sorting through belongings takes more time than you’d think, so it’s best to start at least a few weeks before moving day. A few months, if you’re really organised, is even better.

• · Create a Timeline – Set small goals, such as tackling one room per week, to make the process manageable. There’s more on this below.
• · Gather Supplies – Stock up on boxes, labels, bin bags, and storage containers for sorting.
• · Use a Sorting System – Have designated areas for items you will keep for the new home or throw away if broken or unusable.  

Things you don’t use often but want to take with you can be placed in self storage so they’re organised but out of the way. Investigate the cost of self storage, either locally or in the area you’re moving to.  

Evaluate What You Truly Need

Moving home is a strong motivator to finally make some decisions about what to keep and what to let go of. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself:

• · Have I used this in the last year? If not, it’s likely not essential, but you might want to hang onto it if it has meaning in your life.
• · Does it have sentimental value? You don’t have to hold onto everything you’ve ever bought or been given. Keep only the things that really matter.
• · Does it fit my new home? If your new space is smaller, bulky furniture or your massive teapot collection might not fit. Look into self storage for collectables so you can have the best of both worlds.
• · Can I replace it easily? If something is inexpensive or easy to replace, it may not be worth moving.

Tackle One Room at a Time

Instead of overwhelming yourself with the entire house, work through rooms methodically.

Kitchen

• · Discard expired food, old spices, and broken kitchen tools.
• · Donate duplicate appliances and unused cookware.
• · Keep only the essentials for your new kitchen layout.

Bedroom (and clothes)

• · Sort clothes into ‘keep’, ‘donate’, and ‘store’ piles. Reduce the number of clothes to pack by putting out of season items into self storage.
• · If you haven’t worn something for a couple of years, consider letting it go.
• · Keep only the bedding and decor that will fit your new space.

Living Room

• · Reduce unnecessary furniture, keeping only loved or practical multi-purpose pieces.
• · Pack up books, DVDs, and unused decorative items.
• · Consider selling bulky items that won’t fit your new layout or use self storage for larger pieces you want to keep.

Bathroom

• • Toss out expired toiletries and medicines.
• • Keep only daily essentials to avoid packing unnecessary clutter.
• • Use up opened products before the move rather than packing half-used bottles.

Garage & Loft

• • Be ruthless—many stored items haven’t been touched in years.
• • Dispose of broken tools, outdated electronics, and duplicate household items.
• • Consider self-storage for sentimental or valuable, but rarely used, belongings.

By handling one space at a time, the process remains organised and manageable.

Smart Packing for a Smooth Move

Once you’ve got everything sorted, stowed in self storage or otherwise removed from the scene, it’s much easier to see what needs doing for the actual move.

• · Use Clear Storage Boxes – Transparent boxes help you quickly see what’s inside without opening everything.
• · Label Everything Clearly – Use detailed labels like “Kitchen – Baking Supplies” rather than vague ones like “Miscellaneous.”
• · Pack a ‘First Night’ Box – Keep essentials like toiletries, chargers, a kettle, and basic kitchenware handy for the first night in your new home.
• · Vacuum-Pack Bulky Items – Save space by vacuum-sealing bedding and soft furnishings.
• · Use Suitcases for Heavy Items – Instead of filling large boxes with books, pack them in wheeled suitcases to make transport easier.

Decluttering and organising in advance makes packing up on the day easier, but it’s also much more. It clears the decks and clears your head, giving you a fresh start both mentally and physically in your new surroundings.

So, start early, be mindful of what you take with you, and enjoy the sense of renewal that comes with a well-organised move.