There is no denying the stress and hard work that can come with moving, especially if you are relocating to another country. There is a lot to organise in terms of finding a property, selling your home and packing up your things.
However, one of the first things that you should do before moving is to declutter your home. After all, there is no point heading to your new home and starting afresh with items that you don’t really need.
Shipping your belongings across the world is cheaper than having to replace everything once you arrive. Cutting down on how much unnecessary stuff you take will save you money.
Once you start though it can be quite overwhelming. Most people have collected a huge amount of
Below, we have listed some of our top tips for decluttering your home before a big move.
Key Takeaways
- Start the decluttering process early to avoid any unnecessary stress and worry.
- Decluttering is a great time to get rid of things you no longer need, want or like.
- Declutter your home one room at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- View decluttering as a fresh start, and not a sad time of saying goodbye.
Top Tips for Decluttering Your Home Before a Big Move
1. Tackle Decluttering One Room at a Time
Approach your decluttering process one room at a time. This helps make the task more manageable and less overwhelming, and it will help you to keep the rest of your home organised throughout the process.
2. Get Friends and Family Involved
Invite friends or family to help you declutter. Even with decluttering your home, it really is a case of the more the merrier. They can provide fresh perspectives on what to keep or discard, and the process will be more fun with the company.
3. Use the Three Box Method
One of the best ways to declutter your home before moving is to use the three box method. This involves splitting your belongings into three categories – keep, donate or sell, and trash – and sorting everything out from there. It’s a straightforward and efficient way to declutter, giving you a clear vision of what to keep and what to let go.
4. Use the One Year Rule
This rule states that if you haven’t used something in the last year, get rid of it. If there are items you haven’t used for a year, it’s time to say goodbye to them. This rule works great for clothes, kitchen gadgets, or any other items that often sit unused.
5. Digitalise Documents and Photographs
Take pictures or scan documents that are important but rarely accessed. By keeping digital copies, you can declutter physical space without losing any memories or crucial information.
6. Sell Items To Fund Your Move
Selling your items to raise money for your new home and fund your move and help motivate you to be more ruthless in your decluttering.
There are many ways and places to sell second hand items from a traditional garage sale or car boot sale to selling online via EBay, Gumtree or new specialist apps such as Vinted and WeBuyBooks.
7. View Moving as a Fresh Start
Moving house is a great chance for a fresh start, so approach decluttering with this in mind. Take this opportunity to discard items that you no longer need, want or like. Think about how nice it will be to arrive at your new home, with only the things that bring you joy.
8. Don’t Underestimate the Importance of Lists
Creating lists can help you to prioritise the decluttering process. You could make a list based on rooms, the type of item you are decluttering, or any other criteria that helps you tackle the task efficiently. With a list, it’s a lot easier to keep on track of what you have done, and what is left to do.
9. Start Decluttering Early
Don’t leave decluttering until the last minute, as this will just cause you unnecessary stress. Rushing leads to stress and unnecessary items making the move with you. There is a lot that goes into moving house, but decluttering is one of the few things that you can do ahead of time. The earlier you start to declutter, the more relaxed you are likely to find the process.
10. Handle Sentimental Items with Care
It can be hard to part with sentimental items, so handle them with care. Allow yourself time to go through these and decide what truly needs to be kept. You don’t want to rush into getting rid of a sentimental item, only to regret it once it’s too late.
11. Try the Clothes Hanger Trick
Reverse all of your hangers and when you wear an item, turn the hanger the correct way. After a few months, you will see what clothes you have worn, and which you haven’t. This is a great way to determine which items you should keep, and which you should consider donating.
12. Think About Your New Space
Keep your new home in mind when decluttering, and consider what items you really want there. If items won’t fit or match the new space, it might be time to part ways and invest in something new.
What Happens Once You’ve Decluttered?
Once you have decluttered your home, you can start thinking about organising your international removal service.
At United Removals, we have a wealth of experience of helping homeowners move abroad. Whether you are heading to Australia or Canada, or somewhere closer to home, you can rely on our team of experts to handle getting your belongings from A to B safely. Get in touch to find out more.