It’s only natural for us to accumulate a wealth of possessions as we live our lives, but sometimes the obsession with keeping every item we collect, no matter how trivial or small, is a habit which can make moving home all the more difficult.
When you’re moving to a new property it can be stressful enough without having to factor in packing all your things and planning how to move them. For this reason it’s a good idea declutter your home before moving, giving you less to pack and unpack, while reducing the amount you’ll need to transport.
Here are a few handy tips on how to declutter, as well as the psychology behind giving yourself a fresh start.
1. Fresh start
If you’re moving home it’s a great chance to start again. Don’t ruin your new home by taking all that unnecessary clutter with you. A tidy, clean house will make all the hard work worth it.
2. Have you used/worn it in the last year?
Ask yourself whether you’ve used or worn an item in the last year when deciding whether to dispose of it. If the answer is no, you probably don’t need it, which means it’s taking up space unnecessarily.
3. Trade in your CDs, DVDs and games
Despite the temptation to collect masses of discs, it doesn’t take long for such collections to become redundant. You can put most music and films onto an external hard drive now, while games you’ve completed or lost interest in have no real purpose. Use high street stores like CEX to trade items in for cash, or online schemes such as musicmagpie.co.uk.
4. Charity shops are always grateful
You might not think your old books and crockery are worth anything, but a donation to your local charity shop is always welcome. You can clear space for your new home while doing something for a good cause at the same time!
5. Hoarding isn’t healthy
Hoarding items can seem like a harmless quirk, but for many it’s a serious obsessive-compulsive disorder. It isn’t healthy to hoard items – usually seen as a way for people to separate themselves apart from others – which is why a decluttering of your home on a regular basis is always good, whether you’re moving house or not.
6. Refresh your kitchenware
A lot of your kitchenware can last a lifetime, which is great, but there are plenty of things which can lose their edge over time. When you’re moving into a new home, it might be time to consider refreshing some of your kitchenware to make everything feel brand new. It also ensures you don’t have to pack and unpack grotty old utensils and appliances.
7. Size is everything
If you’re lucky enough to get a chance, take measurements of your new home and apply them to your old furniture. This way, you’ll know whether everything will fit, or whether you’re going to have to ditch items before bothering to pack and transport them.
8. Car boot sale
Most towns have a car boot sale, often weekly. This is a great opportunity to get a little money back on items you no longer want or need , children’s toys particularly. It might mean an early start, but it’s worth it to make some cash and save some room on your move.
9. Recycling is good for the planet
You’ll have heard plenty in your lifetime about recycling and saving the planet, but by recycling all your shredded paperwork, magazines and cardboard boxes, you not only save space for the move, you also put materials back into the manufacturing process, thereby preserving the use of virgin materials.
10. Tackle the key areas
Looking around your bedroom, you may feel there is little to get rid of, but we all know this isn’t where the clutter hides. Out of sight is usually out of mind, so have a good rummage in the loft, garage and cellar to find those things which would be a pain to pack, transport and unpack only to simply be hidden again and throw them out.
That’s plenty of food for thought, but if you’re ready for your move and would like help with the packing, transportation and unpacking of your possessions, look no further than Two Men And A Truck. We’re always on hand to help with removals of any size throughout Ireland, simply get in touch with our friendly team today for more details or to discuss your move.