Get a fresh start in your new home by getting rid of useless clutter. By decluttering before you move, you won’t waste time and space on things you’re just going to get rid of later.
Start early
A couple months before your move, tackle each room one by one. Begin in the kitchen, where we often collect needless items in the junk drawer and cabinets. Make it a rule — if you haven’t used something in six months, you must sell it, donate it or toss it. Think about your kitchen appliances. If you haven’t used your breadmaker, espresso machine or panini maker in a year, it’s time for them to go.
Clean out your closets
Your bedroom closet, your kids’ closets, the linen closet — every closet needs to be cleaned out. When it comes to clothing, make four piles — keep, fix, donate and toss. After sorting your clothes, hang up or fold the clothes you’re going to keep. You can pack out-of-season and seldom worn clothes now. Clothes that need to be repaired or dry-cleaned should be put in your car right now — that way you’ll drop them off next time you’re out. Make a donation to your local Goodwill, Salvation Army, women’s shelter or other community organization. Clothes that are beyond repair should be thrown away or used as scrap fabric for craft projects.
Re-think your furniture
If your living areas always seem too crowded, now is a great time to re-think your furniture. Sometimes less is more. For a modern, minimalist look, reduce furniture to only items with a true purpose. You don’t need decorative tables, side chairs and knickknacks that don’t ever get used.
Don’t forget the garage
One of the most common places for clutter is the garage. Here, we tuck away any and every item that we can’t find space for in the house. The best way to clean out your garage is to take every single item out, and only put back the items that you use regularly.
Have a garage sale
Now that we’re talking about the garage, it’s time to have a garage sale. People who visit garage sales are looking for bargains, so don’t overprice your items — no matter what kind of sentimental attachment you have to them. Plan your garage sale for a weekend at least a month before your moving date.
Get rid of the rest on eBay
Anything that’s leftover from garage sale, list on eBay or Craiglist. Be sure to include pictures of your items for sale to attract the most prospective buyers. Once you have made all attempts to sell your unwanted items, donate the rest to a local charity.
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Sell well: It’s time to move!
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