How to Declutter Your Home Before a Move: A Room-by-Room Guide

Decluttering before a move is one of the best decisions you can make before you start packing for your move. Every unsorted box is a box you’re paying to have transported. With the “room-by-room” system, you can not only make packing easier but also reduce the stress of a typical moving process.

With this guide, you’ll know what to keep, sell, donate, or throw away without feeling overwhelmed. It’s your first step toward a smooth move. Learn more here.

Why Decluttering Before a Move Saves You Time and Money

Having fewer items to move necessarily means a cheaper move. The problem is that not everyone takes the time beforehand to plan what to bring and what to leave behind. The result? It’s almost always the same: boxes full of items that are a hassle to pack, transport, and unpack in your new home. 

Before you start packing, you should be aware of the three factors that can make a difference in the process:

1. Volume of items. If you have fewer belongings, they’ll take up less space in the moving truck, reducing the number of trips or the amount of labor time. 
2. The weight of the items. This is especially important for long-distance moves, where transporting less cargo usually makes the process easier.
3. Packing materials. More items mean you’ll need more boxes, packing tape, or protective wrapping paper. Fewer items mean the opposite. 

The fewer belongings you have, the less time the moving crew will spend loading and unloading. In fact, you could reduce the number of movers involved in the process if you significantly lighten the load. This can significantly lower the cost of the service provided by local moving companies. Generally, quotes are based on hourly rates, the number of movers, materials, and the truck.

When to Start Decluttering Before Moving Day

Whenever possible, start 6 to 8 weeks before your moving date. Does that seem like a long time? Better safe than sorry. It’s the best way to make decisions calmly and avoid leaving everything until the last few days. If you wait until the last week, you’ll likely be tired and stressed from the move. This might cause you to make hasty decisions.

Building a Timeline

In our experience, we’ve found that the best packing plans are organized as follows:

• Weeks 8 through 6: garage, storage rooms, and storage areas.
• Weeks 5 through 3: bedrooms, living room, and offices.
• Weeks 2 through 1: kitchen, bathroom, and everyday items.

What’s the logic behind this? Simple. You start with the least-used spaces and work your way toward the ones you’ll need right up until the last moment. That way, you don’t disrupt your daily routine.

Setting Realistic Goals

No, it’s almost impossible to clean out the entire house in a single day. Instead, set a specific task for each session. Go through that closet full of clothes you’ve forgotten about, that drawer with your collectibles, or your own bedroom. Small steps build motivation and reduce feelings of exhaustion.

Measure Your New Space First

Moving into a spacious home is not the same as moving into an apartment that’s smaller than your old one. We recommend measuring absolutely everything—including sofas, beds, tables, desks, and any other large pieces of furniture. 

You need to think not only about where to place them but also about how to get them into the new place. If the space is narrow and it’s very difficult to disassemble the item, it might be best to sell it. 

A Room-by-Room Decluttering Checklist

Before hiring a residential mover, take time to declutter one room at a time. Each area presents different challenges, and tackling them separately makes the entire process much easier.

Kitchen and Pantry

How many items do you have in your kitchen that you no longer use? Probably more than you realize. Start by going through expired food, old spices, and opened products you won’t use again.

Next, take a look at those small appliances you keep “just in case,” but that no longer work. Also check for containers without lids or utensils that have become obsolete.

How do you know whether to keep a kitchen item or not? Think about the last time you used it. If you can’t remember, you probably don’t need to keep it.

Bedrooms and Closets

Start by going through your out-of-season clothes. Next, you should assess which items you wear and which you don’t. There’s a simple rule here, too: one year of use. If you’ve worn it in the past year, you can keep it. If not, you should donate or sell it. 

Remember to go through your drawers, shoes, accessories, and extra bedding. A good way to make sure you don’t forget anything is to sort everything out beforehand.

Garage, Attic, Storage Areas

You’d be surprised at how much clutter you can reduce in these areas. Think about broken tools, hardware you’re holding onto for no reason, old furniture, or boxes left over from your last move.

Anything that has no value can be thrown away or sold. Getting rid of these kinds of items can make a big difference when it comes to the packing service. 

Living Areas and Home Office

Living rooms and offices almost always have books, documents, cables, and old electronic devices that just gather dust. If you don’t use them, you can throw them away or recycle them.

Now is the time to take a look at your home décor. When you move, you might also want to change the look of your new home. If something doesn’t fit, you can get rid of it.

If you have important papers, we recommend that you digitize them as well. It’s a good way to ensure you have a backup in case of any issues.

Bathrooms

There are more items in the bathroom that you don’t need than you might think. Expired medications? Be sure to dispose of them according to local regulations. The same goes for old cosmetics, partially used products you no longer use, or even towels that are very worn out. 

How to Decide What Stays

To check your belongings regularly, we recommend following a few steps.

The Four-Box Method

It involves preparing four boxes labeled as follows:

• Keep. 
• Donate. 
• Sell. 
• Discard. 

You can’t put an item in more than one box. If you move items from one box to another, you’ll slow down the process.

Quick Rules When You’re Stuck

It’s normal to have doubts during the process. The best way to clear them up is with simple rules:

• Ask yourself if you’ve used the item in the last year. If not, you don’t need it (with some exceptions).
• Use the 20/20 rule. If the item is inexpensive to replace and you can easily get it in less than 20 minutes, it’s probably not essential to keep it.

With this in mind, you’ll avoid that famous question: “What if I don’t bring it?” 

Handling Sentimental Items Without Stalling

It’s best to save any valuable items for last, including photographs and letters. It’s recommended that you limit yourself to one box of mementos per person. You can take photos of the rest. 

If the item is very large, it’s also worth thinking twice. Is it worth hiring a piano moving service if the piano hasn’t worked for years or is very worn out, just for sentimental value? The final decision is yours. 

Where to Donate, Sell, or Store What You’re Not Keeping

Not everything you no longer need has to end up in the trash:

As you can see, there are different options, including storage unit rental for when you’re undecided. 

What Not to Pack: Non-Movable and Hazardous Items

For legal or safety reasons, certain items cannot be transported.

Items Movers Can’t Transport

Professional moving companies generally do not transport:

• Paint.
• Fuel.
• Propane.
• Chemicals.
• Ammunition.
• Perishable food.

Try not to bring these items to avoid any complications.

How to Dispose of These in Maricopa County

Do you live in Phoenix or other cities in Maricopa County? There are specific programs for the collection of household hazardous waste. We recommend checking in advance so you can dispose of materials without harming the planet or people.

After the Declutter: Let Pros Handle the Packing and the Move

Have you downsized as much as necessary? Congratulations. Now, the rest of the process will be much easier. Since you have fewer belongings, it’s much easier to pack the boxes, protect fragile items, and unload everything at your new home.

If you want a professional service to handle the entire process, be sure to choose local moving companies. Even so, the final price might be lower, since you have fewer belongings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about how to declutter your home before moving.

How far in advance should I start decluttering before a move?

Ideally, start 6 to 8 weeks before the move. It’s the best way to make the process easier, especially if the home is large. 

Does decluttering really lower moving costs?

Yes. When you reduce the number of items, you’ll generally need fewer boxes, and fewer movers will be involved in the process. This can reduce the number of hours needed and the final cost. 

Which room should I declutter first?

Start with the areas you use least often. For example, the garage, the attic, or storage rooms. That’s where forgotten items that take up a lot of space tend to accumulate.

How can I declutter quickly if I only have two weeks?

Don’t try to organize the whole house at once. Instead, dedicate each day to a specific room. Use the four-box method to make quick decisions. 

Should I sell or donate unwanted items?

If your move is still a while away and you want to make some extra money, try selling it. If time is limited, you’re better off donating it. 

How much can decluttering save on a local move in Phoenix?

It all depends on the size of the home and the number of belongings. For more details, contact a moving company in Phoenix that provides transparent pricing.

What is the four-box method?

It’s a system for making decisions without wasting time. Set up four boxes or areas labeled “Keep,” “Donate,” “Sell,” and “Discard.” Don’t put items in more than one box.

What happens if I wait until the last week to declutter?

If you wait until the last few days, you might end up packing unnecessary items “just in case.” The more time you have, the better you’ll be able to go through everything and make sensible decisions. 

Can movers remove or dispose of items I don’t want anymore?

Not always. Many moving companies only transport the items the customer wants to take to their new home. We recommend that you handle this process on your own. 

Where can I dispose of paint and hazardous materials in Phoenix?

Residents of the Phoenix area can use local hazardous waste collection programs to safely dispose of these items. 

Ready for a Stress-Free Move?

At A Wise Move, we have over 15 years of experience in local and long-distance moves. We are a fully licensed and bonded company, with US DOT #1407365. See what our customers have to say:

Want to make your move much easier from start to finish? Let us handle it for you. Contact us now.