Getting ready for a big out-of-state move is a good time to look at what you actually want to bring with you. Every box, piece of furniture, and storage bin adds work. Some items may also cost more to move than they are worth keeping.
Before you start packing, walk through your home and separate what you use, what you love, and what you have been storing out of habit. Clothes that no longer fit, duplicate kitchen items, broken furniture, old paperwork, and forgotten garage items are often easier to deal with before the truck arrives.
This guide walks through a simple way to declutter before moving day, including how to make lists, sort your belongings, donate or sell what you do not need, and decide when it makes more sense to start fresh in your new home.
1. Start Now When Preparing To Move Out Of State
The first thing to do to declutter before your big move is to begin now. Your move might be a couple of months in the future, but don’t put off packing and purging now.
Start by taking an initial “purge pass” through your home. Go through each room one by one and start compiling things that you just don’t want anymore, are falling apart, or won’t be feasible to move.
This initial purge may include furniture, home decor, trinkets, and kitchen items. Gather all of these initial purge items into several containers you can carry easily. Either donate these items to your local Salvation Army or sell them in a yard sale, on eBay, or through Craigslist.
2. Write Lists
Writing lists can be incredibly helpful in preparing to move out of state. Lists help you stay organized and can be essential in identifying what to get rid of and what to keep.
Start by writing down a generic list of things you will need in your new place. Do this before even looking at the items you possess. Divide this list into categories based off of rooms: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, laundry room, etc.
Next, start with one room and survey the items you possess in that room. If you have time, write down an inventory of the belongings in each room.
Now you have two lists: the list of what you need and the list of what you have. We’ll be comparing these two lists in the following step.
3. Categorize Your Belongings
Now that you have a list of your “needs” and your “haves,” it’s time to categorize.
When you find a match between the two lists–i.e., something that you have which you will definitely need–place those items in a pile to “keep.”
Separate the items that you need from the items that aren’t on the list of necessities.
This will eventually lead to two rough piles of belongings. Now take a look at the pile of non-necessities. Some of these will be sentimental, valuable, or otherwise important items. Pull these out and put them in the “keep” pile.
Next, scrutinize what is left and ask yourself the following about each item:
- Will I need this in the future?
- Can I replace this with a better quality item?
- Would I rather take this with me or get rid of it?
The last question is especially important and can be the deal breaker for a lot of belongings. If you answer “no” to any of the above, move that item to the “give away” pile.
Your goal for each room should be to separate all belongings into two piles: one to pack and one to give away.
4. Make Donations and Call on Friends
Once you’ve piled up your “giveaways” in each room, it’s time to move them on out. Do this as soon as possible–if you leave items sitting around for a while, you may be tempted to move them to the “keep” pile.
Make a few trips to your local donation center to make tax-deductible donations of the items you don’t want or need anymore. You can also call on friends to come rummage through your “giveaways,” or advertise furniture on Craigslist.
Once you’ve done this big purge, it’s time to pack.
5. Pack and Purge Some More
At this point in the game, it’s time to start the actual packing. As you are packing things that you definitely want to keep, make sure you label the boxes and tape them securely. Group like items in the same boxes.
We recommend numbering them so that you can always keep track of your belongings during shipment and make the unloading process easier.
As you are packing, however, you still have the option to lighten your load. Putting the items you want to keep in piles will give you a visual of what you’ll actually be moving.
In many cases, these piles are just too big. In this case, do a second round of purging, asking yourself the same questions in the previous step. This time, ask yourself if getting rid of something could save you money.
For example, shipping that bed frame may be more expensive than selling it on Craigslist and buying a new one in your new state.
6. Hire the Right Movers
After your methodical purging, it’s time to hire the right movers. Hiring a moving company is an essential step in preparing to move out of state.
The right movers will handle your belongings carefully and ensure that everything makes it in one piece to your new home.
A moving company will also make your packing process much more efficient, and even give you peace of mind after all of that purging you’ve just done.
Preparing To Move Out of State: Declutter Your Life
As you’re preparing to move out of state or the country, take this opportunity to declutter and purge unneeded things.
The key to a successful purging is to begin now and stay organized through lists and categorization. Call on friends or family members to help and remember that lightening your load may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Also, remember that a big move doesn’t have to be “big.” It may always be cheaper to start fresh and buy new belongings in your new home than shipping your existing ones.
Hiring the right movers can help make your big out of state move pleasant rather than a headache.
At Liberty Moving and Storage, we are the long distance moving experts. We offer professional and experienced moving services so that your out of state move can be exciting rather than worrisome.
Reach out today for a free quote!
FAQ About Decluttering Before a Move
How far in advance should I start decluttering before a move?
Start decluttering as soon as you know you are moving, even if moving day is still a few months away. Begin with storage areas, closets, garages, basements, and rooms you do not use every day. Set aside items to keep, sell, donate, recycle, or throw away before you pack. The earlier you start, the less likely you are to pay movers to transport things you no longer want or need.
