Decluttering Before a Move: Mistakes to Avoid
Procrastinating, lacking a plan and tackling too much at once can derail a move. Experts say starting early and decluttering room by room helps reduce stress.
NEW YORK — Procrastinating, not having a clear goal, and attempting to clear everything at once are common mistakes people make when decluttering before moving. You don't want to commit the same errors, as they can make the already complex and time-consuming process even more challenging.
Remember: Moving alone is already stressful. It's so stressful that in a survey, nearly half of Americans (46%) rated it more stressful than a divorce, as reported by WRAL.com.
By familiarizing yourself with the most common decluttering mistakes, you can avoid them and have a better, more efficient move preparation instead.
Is going through your possessions before moving a good idea?
Yes, you should definitely consider going through your belongings before moving, as it's key to efficient decluttering.
When you go through your possessions, you'll know how many things you own. It lets you determine what items to keep and bring to your new place vs. those you should and can let go, either by donating, selling, or throwing away.
What is the hardest room to pack when moving?
The kitchen is one of the rooms where you'll likely experience the most decluttering challenges. The primary reason is that it contains a mix of difficult-to-wrap-and-pack items, from dishes and glassware to oddly shaped cookware and tools.
Another possible reason is that your kitchen has numerous tiny, hard-to-organize components like pantry items and appliances. It also contains food, which requires specialized packing and organizing.
What are the biggest mistakes of decluttering before moving?
Starting too late and failing to establish decluttering and packing timelines and goals are all common mistakes that can deter you from enjoying stress-free moving. Likewise, trying to declutter multiple rooms in one go can also make the process more challenging and time-consuming.
Procrastinating and starting too late
Given how overwhelming it can be to even just think about decluttering before moving, it's easy to see why procrastinating and starting to organize things too late is a common mistake many people make. It can also be emotionally taxing, as one's home may be full of sentimental attachments.
Unfortunately, procrastinating will only make the task more "unbearable" and difficult, leading to more stress and last-minute packing anxiety. It can also result in more decluttering and packing errors, as you may already have to rush to make up for the late start.
Consumer Affairs recommends planning for the big move at least two months ahead of moving day. It gives you enough time to go through your belongings, segregate them, and pack those you're bringing to your new place properly.
Not having clear goals
Another big mistake to avoid when decluttering before moving is not having a clear goal of what to do and how to progress.
When you don't set objectives for yourself, you may find it challenging to determine which room to pack first, which can further hinder your progress. You may also experience even more stress and anxiety, as you may feel overwhelmed about not knowing where to start getting rid of clutter.
Avoid this typical error by creating a to-do list, complete with an "estimated time of completion." Depending on how much each room contains, you can schedule a couple of days or more for each one (more for rooms with more contents).
Trying to declutter all at once
You likely won't get anywhere if you try to declutter your entire home all at once, as this can lead to you feeling overwhelmed and stressed. Rather than attempting to clear multiple rooms at once, do it room by room.
Decluttering room by room also allows you to enjoy a sense of accomplishment. It can help you stay motivated to go through the rest of your house.
If you're a bit pressed for time, consider booking a self-storage unit for some of your belongings. Today's facilities are more convenient to use than ever, with reliable options offering 24/7 online booking solutions.
You can keep some of your things in the storage unit to make packing your old house more manageable. Then, once you've finished with the house, you can go through what you have in storage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 4 Cs of decluttering?
The 4 Cs include:
- Clearing out
- Categorizing
- Cutting out
- Containing
You can apply these 4 Cs when organizing and packing for your big move.
Clearing out involves removing everything from your "target" area (e.g., your bedroom cabinet). You can then categorize whatever you remove into similar items. You can also categorize your belongings by applying the "cutting out" strategy. It involves deciding what to do with each item.
You can, for instance, determine which items are still functional and crucial that you should keep and bring them to the new house. Alternatively, you can separate them into piles that you'd sell, donate, or throw away.
Lastly, place the categorized items into containers with clear labels. Labeling each container, whether it's a packing box, a drawer, or a bin, can help you organize your belongings and make it easier to keep track of your decluttering and packing progress.
What should i remove first when decluttering?
When decluttering, consider starting with items you no longer have a need for and are most likely to donate, sell or throw away. Examples include old reading materials like newspapers, magazines, and books.
Don't forget that you can repurpose old newspapers and magazines as extra wrapping material for fragile items like glassware and dining ware.
It's also a good idea to start removing items from visible, high-impact areas, such as kitchen counters, nightstands, and tables. Doing so can give you a sense of accomplishment while also providing you with more usable work surfaces as you pack your other items.
Avoid these mistakes when decluttering before moving
Starting too late, not establishing clear goals and trying to do things all at once are some of the biggest mistakes you should avoid when decluttering before moving. Instead, you should do things early (at least eight weeks in advance), create and stick to a to-do list and declutter one room at a time.
© Copyright, 2025, The Coeur d'Alene Press. All rights reserved.