Declutter your home and prepare for your house move
House moving can be a daunting task, even for the most experienced of us, whether you’re moving overseas or just a couple houses down. Sitting down and figuring out what you want to take with you and what you need to take with you can be a great way to start the decluttering process.
If it helps, think of the decluttering stage as spring cleaning and don’t be afraid to be ruthless with yourself. The team here at Best Removalists Newcastle have compiled this article to help you be prepared before moving day, to make things easier and to give you a fresher start in your new home.
How to declutter your home
Decluttering can happen in many ways, usually though it involves starting with a room or a type of item such as clothes, books, games, etc. Making up a list and a plan for yourself after you know your moving date will help you relax more and hopefully not stress out on moving day… too much.
Make sure that you’ve set aside time each day to pack a few boxes and declutter, you do not want to get to your new home and realise your boxes have random trash articles in them because you didn’t take your time. Trust us, that’s not a fun time.
Decluttering room by room
If you’re decluttering by room, start with ones that are used less and work your way through them, packing up non-essentials. When decluttering a room such as the kitchen, make sure to keep out one set of dishes and cutlery per person (cup, plate, bowl, mug, fork, knife, spoon) and the essentials to keep yourselves fed over the next week or two. We recommend that the kitchen should probably be the last room you tackle, and attack each room in this order:
- Garage/shed
- Attic/crawlspace/basement/closets
- Lounge/dining
- Bedrooms
- Office
- Kitchen.
Old items
If you haven’t worn something in the last two years, it’s time to say goodbye.
By Item
Determining which categories of items that you won’t need to access until after you move will give you a huge head start in declutter. By going through each type of item with at least three boxes (keep, donate, recycle/trash) you can take your time and examine each article in front of you to determine what you know you want to have in your new home that you use regularly or are attached to.
- Books
- Collections
- Decor
- Serving/Entertaining items in the kitchen
- Canning/food preserving supplies
- Camping/outdoor gear
- Garden equipment
- Tools
- Toy sets
- Hobby supplies
- Holiday items.
Once you have gone through and picked out the worthy items for your new home, you can decide whether to donate or get rid of the rest of the items. Make sure you give yourself enough time that day, so you don’t feel rushed or pressured into getting rid of something you’ll miss later. We have some great tips and tricks for packing – click here.
Pack up everything that is not needed for you and your family’s daily life and don’t move on to the next room or item until it is totally sorted and packed up.
The process of decluttering
It’s best to have a game plan laid out for when you start your decluttering adventure, give yourself a timeline and come up with a strategy for how long you think you can allocate to each task.
Depending on your personality, working through the home room by room might be easier or harder to do compared to going through item types one at a time. Feel free to prioritise the rooms or items so that you can tick them bigger jobs or essential items off first.
Make sure you have it written down or in a calendar where you can see it each day; this is an easy way to help keep track of how far along you are and will make it easier to follow your timeline.
Is it hard to let go of your old items?
Sometimes saying goodbye to your things can be overwhelming, but don’t worry, it’s perfectly okay. If you’re finding that’s the case, consider walking through your home with some coloured sticker dots and marking items that you know you want to keep with one colour and ones you don’t want with another.
You can even have other colours for items you want to sell or donate. That way when it comes time to tackle the room, you’ll have an easier time because half of the work is already done and you’re already mentally prepared. Also, ask yourself these questions:
- When did I use this last?
- Do I really need it?
- Will I miss it if I get rid of it?
- What do I need to keep and what would I miss in your new home?
- Are some items in good enough condition for someone else to enjoy? Donate or sell them.
- Is it broken or too damaged? Recycle or toss out.
- Do I need all that paperwork these days? Consider digitising your paperwork and photos to save space, and have a spare, in case of emergency.
Make use of council pickups
If you’re getting rid of a lot of stuff including big items, find out when your next council clean-up is or if your area is “by request”. When donating larger items, consider contacting the charity and arranging for them to collect any furniture. Keep in mind though that they may be choosy about the condition and type of furniture you’re offering.
Harmful substances
If you have any harmful substances that need to be disposed of, contact your council to find out what options they have for fuel, glass, paints, and fertilisers. Car batteries, tyres, and construction waste may also need to be specially disposed of.
Getting professional help from Best Removalists Newcastle
We know that sorting through your belongings can be an emotional experience and, at times, overwhelming. Remember though, you don’t need to do this by yourself! If you have friends and family that live nearby, ask them for help, otherwise you can hire a removalist company like ours, Best Removalists Newcastle, who provide packing and moving services.
Call us today on (02) 4058 5810 or Alternatively, click here to send us an online message to get your FREE quote and in-home assessment for your home or office move in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.