Moving house is one of life's most stressful events, but it's also the perfect opportunity to declutter and start fresh in your new home. Studies show that the average household has accumulated thousands of items over the years, many of which are never used. By decluttering before you move, you'll not only reduce moving costs but also make unpacking in your new home so much easier.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll share our top 10 tips for decluttering your home before a move, drawn from our 15+ years of experience helping families across Surrey with house clearances and moves.
1 Start Early - Give Yourself Time
Don't wait until the week before your move to start decluttering. Ideally, begin at least 6-8 weeks before your moving date. This gives you time to make thoughtful decisions about what to keep, sell, donate, or discard without feeling rushed.
Pro Tip: Create a decluttering calendar and tackle one room per week. This prevents overwhelm and keeps you on track.
2 Use the Four-Box Method
Get four boxes or bags and label them: Keep, Sell, Donate, and Bin. As you go through each room, every item must go into one of these categories. This method forces you to make decisions and prevents the "maybe" pile from growing.
- Keep: Items you use regularly or have significant value
- Sell: Valuable items in good condition that you no longer need
- Donate: Usable items that could benefit others
- Bin: Broken, damaged, or unusable items
3 Apply the KonMari Method
Marie Kondo's famous question - "Does it spark joy?" - is incredibly effective when decluttering. Hold each item and ask yourself if it brings you happiness or serves a practical purpose. If the answer is no, it's time to let it go.
This method is particularly useful for clothing, books, and sentimental items where the emotional attachment can make decisions difficult.
4 Tackle One Room at a Time
Trying to declutter your entire home at once is overwhelming. Instead, focus on one room at a time, completing it fully before moving to the next. We recommend this order:
- Storage areas (loft, garage, basement)
- Guest rooms and spare bedrooms
- Main bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Kitchen and dining areas
- Living areas
- Home office
Starting with storage areas is strategic - they often contain items you haven't used in years, making decisions easier.
5 The 12-Month Rule
If you haven't used an item in the past 12 months, you probably don't need it. This rule is particularly effective for clothing, kitchen gadgets, and hobby equipment. Be honest with yourself - if you haven't used that bread maker in two years, will you really use it in your new home?
Exception: Seasonal items (Christmas decorations, summer camping gear) and sentimental items with genuine emotional value.
6 Digitize Where Possible
Physical documents, photos, and media take up valuable space. Before moving, scan important documents, digitize photo albums, and convert CDs and DVDs to digital format. This not only saves space but also protects precious memories.
- Use a smartphone app for document scanning
- Store digital files in cloud storage for safety
- Shred sensitive documents after digitizing
7 Sell Valuable Items Early
If you're planning to sell items, start early! Selling through online marketplaces takes time - you need to photograph items, write descriptions, respond to inquiries, and arrange collection or delivery. Popular items to sell include:
High-Value Items:
- • Furniture in good condition
- • Electronics and appliances
- • Designer clothing
- • Collectibles and antiques
Quick-Sell Items:
- • Children's toys and equipment
- • Books and media
- • Garden tools
- • Kitchen equipment
8 Donate Responsibly
Donating unwanted items is good for your conscience and the environment. However, make sure you're donating items that are actually useful. Charities don't want broken, stained, or damaged goods.
Where to donate in Surrey:
- British Heart Foundation - furniture and household goods
- Oxfam - clothing, books, and media
- Local food banks - non-perishable food items
- Schools and nurseries - toys and books
9 Measure Your New Space
Before deciding what furniture to keep, measure your new home's rooms. There's no point moving a large sofa if it won't fit through your new doorway or will overwhelm a smaller living room. Create a simple floor plan to visualize what will work.
Remember: Moving fewer items = lower moving costs. If furniture won't fit or suit your new home, sell it and buy new pieces that work better for the space.
10 Get Professional Help if Needed
Sometimes the decluttering task is simply too overwhelming, or you don't have time to do it properly. Professional clearance services can help in several ways:
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Removal Services: We can remove unwanted items quickly and dispose of them responsibly
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Donation Coordination: We work with local charities and can arrange donations for you
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Eco-Friendly Disposal: We recycle up to 85% of cleared items
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Time-Saving: What might take you weeks, we can do in a day
Final Thoughts
Decluttering before a move might seem like extra work, but it's one of the best investments of time you can make. You'll save money on moving costs, make unpacking easier, and start your new home with only the items that truly matter to you.
Remember, the goal isn't to get rid of everything - it's to move into your new home with intention, bringing only what adds value to your life. Start early, be methodical, and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
At Clear Space Team, we've helped hundreds of families across Surrey with decluttering and clearance before moves. If you'd like professional assistance with your move preparation, get in touch with us today.
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