“If you hug it, does it bring you joy?” Marie Kondo, the queen of decluttering, has said. If you declutter before moving, you can get a better sense of your belongings and how many boxes you will need. You may not need as many as you think!
Start thinking about the space you have in your new apartment and how everything fits in there. You should also think about things that you haven’t used in the last year, any duplicates or if certain things are past their prime. It’s time to let go and sell it.
The fewer boxes you have, the less expensive your move is, so plan to declutter as you pack. But where to even start?
How to declutter before moving
Here’s a quick checklist of what to remember when decluttering and staying on task.
Make one box of your must-have essentials
Before you start packing and throwing things around, make one box your ‘essential’ box and add the things you need during and immediately after the move. Think phone chargers, bathroom essentials, a few kitchen things and others. Set it aside before you start so you’re not running around looking for your deodorant while the movers are doing their thing.
Keep, toss, donate
Start with three piles: keep, toss and donate. Set up three boxes for the piles and place the items in the corresponding box as you go through each room. If you’re panicking about whether you should keep or donate something, ask yourself the last time you used it. If it’s been more than a year, then it’s time for the donation pile.
Go room by room
Don’t overwhelm yourself, and make a plan to go room by room. Start with the smallest room for instant gratification, like the bathroom or laundry room. Then do a room a day for the next couple of weeks until you explore every shelf and cabinet in the apartment.
After each room, take the bags to the trash and your local donation center to make room for your moving boxes.
Schedule at least an hour a day to declutter
Going through your junk drawer can get frustrating, so to avoid procrastination, schedule an hour every day to work on decluttering. You can do more than that, but set a timer to one hour to get the minimum done. Start with your closet and go through your clothes, knickknacks and nightstands.
If you hit a nostalgic item, set it aside
The smallest item can lead you down a nostalgic rabbit hole and derail your day. It’s hard to give away something that holds such intense memories. Leave those decisions for last to avoid procrastination. It will keep you on task and give you more time to decide on them at a later date.
Check expiration dates
When was the last time you looked at the expiration dates of things beyond the milk? Take a good look at your pantry to check on spices, canned goods and snacks and get rid of anything expired. Don’t forget to do it with your medicine cabinet and any toiletries that have overstayed their welcome.
Don’t forget about unused appliances
Trends come and go — pressure cookers, air fryers, spiralizers and others are all over Pinterest, and you just had to have one. Now they are just taking up space. Do an inventory of your unused appliances, set them aside and reach out to friends to give them a second life elsewhere.
Reconsider your decor
Think about your sofa or your mattress — when did you get them? Is it time to replace them? What about your decor? Take a minute to examine if your home decor style is something you still identify with. This is the time to sell your furniture in your local neighborhood group and make someone’s day.
Take a break
Decluttering can be physically and mentally exhausting. Take the time to reward yourself after every room you complete. Make a nice dinner, see a friend or buy a new piece of decor for your new place. Knowing that a reward awaits you can provide extra motivation in getting the job done.
It’s OK to hire a professional
Sometimes life gets in the way, your deadline is approaching and you still need to start. Decluttering services can help organize your things and downsize before the movers come. They charge by the hour and specialize in things like organizing your clutter, scheduling your bills and helping you pare down your things.
Don’t procrastinate
No matter your approach, the most important thing is don’t procrastinate. Decluttering in a rush might be less effective, and you may throw away important things. Start early, at least two weeks before or shortly after letting your landlord know you’re moving out.
Start your moving process with less clutter by decluttering first
Once you’ve gone through every crevice of your apartment, start listing things for sale and scheduling donation pickups (yes, even furniture!) so you’re ready for the movers. If it doesn’t give you joy or hasn’t been used in months, it’s time to send it away before your new apartment.
