Moving to a new home presents the perfect opportunity to declutter your life and pare down the amount of your belongings. A couple of sobering statistics: One in four Americans feel like they have a clutter problem,* while the average American home contains 300,000+ items**. It is amazing how easy it is to amass this much stuff, and overwhelming to imagine how to lessen this physical burden. Downsizing before a move not only reduces moving costs—it also helps you start fresh in your new space. Why bring all that clutter with you?! We’ve got ten categories of items you should downsize before packing up.
1. Clothing and Shoes
Most people wear only 20% of their wardrobe regularly. Before moving, sort through your clothing and donate or sell items that no longer fit, are out of style, are damaged or stained, or haven’t been worn in over a year. If it’s something that you like but for some reason, never wear, just let it go. Apply the same rule to shoes, keeping only the pairs you actually wear.
2. Kitchen Duplicates
Kitchens often accumulate multiples of utensils, gadgets, and dishware. Keep only what you truly need—one quality set of pots and pans, one set of measuring cups, and so on. If you haven’t used a kitchen gadget in the past year, it’s probably safe to let it go (we’re thinking of that fajita press you got at the company gift exchange in 2019). This is also a great time to look over your kitchen items and say goodbye to ones that are chipped, missing an important piece, or no longer working.
3. Books and Magazines
Books are heavy and take up significant space—you can only pack a few and need to put them in small boxes. Consider donating books you’ve already read and don’t plan to revisit. For magazines, clip or photograph any articles you want to keep, then recycle the rest. Consider switching to e-books or library borrowing for future reading. We have a comprehensive guide on How to Pare Down Your Books.
4. Paper Documents
Digitize important documents and shred outdated paperwork. Bills, tax documents, and receipts can be scanned and stored electronically, reducing boxes of paper files to a simple digital archive. Read our article, Paper Overload? What to File, What to Digitize, and What to Shred or Recycle.
5. Furniture
Evaluate your furniture based on its functionality, condition, and whether it will fit in your new space. Large pieces that won’t work in your new home can be sold or donated. This is also a good time to get rid of any damaged or worn-out pieces. What a fabulous opportunity to get some fresh new pieces for your new digs!
6. Electronics and Cords
We’ve all got outdated electronics, broken devices, and a tangle of unidentified cords and chargers that could be significantly reduced. Recycle old electronics responsibly and keep only the gadgets and accessories you actually use. Yes, we have a guide! Organizing Your Devices: Don’t Let Your Tech Be Your Clutter.
7. Decorative Items
While sentimental items are important, moving is a good time to be selective about which decorative pieces truly enhance your space. Choose quality over quantity and consider which items will complement your new home. Whether it’s a rug, vases, small statuary, candle holders, or framed art, you’ll want to consider if these things will still work in your new home.
8. Bathroom Products
Bathrooms often contain half-empty bottles, expired medications, and beauty products that are no longer used. Dispose of expired medications properly, consolidate similar products, and only pack what you currently use. You’ll have less toiletries to unpack and place in your new bathrooms!
9. Hobby and Crafts Supplies
Craft materials, sports equipment, and hobby supplies can take up substantial space. Keep only the supplies for activities you actively pursue and consider donating the rest to schools or community centers. It’s also a great time to take inventory of your stock.
10. Linens and Towels
Most households have way more bedding and towels than they need. Keep two sets of sheets per bed and a reasonable number of towels for each bathroom. Worn, stained, or mismatched linens can be repurposed as cleaning rags or donated to animal shelters. How fantastic would it be to have fresh linens and towels in your new home!
Remember, the goal of downsizing isn’t just to make moving easier and more economical—it’s to create a more intentional living space in your new home. By being thoughtful about what you bring with you, you’ll start your new chapter with less clutter and more clarity. If you need support during this big transition, don’t hesitate to contact us! Professional organizers are a huge help when moving or remodeling!