How To Declutter Before Moving Home

Last Updated: December 8, 2025 by Michael Kahn. Published: December 8, 2025.

Decluttering before you move home is a good idea on so many levels. It means you’re bringing less junk, can have a new start in your new home, and can remove anything that hasn’t been bringing you joy. 

But how are you supposed to do this? How can you declutter before a big move? 

Here’s our top advice: 

Don’t Pack It If It Would Cause Embarrassment

One of the best ways to declutter before you move is to avoid packing anything that might cause you embarrassment if your new neighbors saw it. We’re not telling you to take this rule literally, but we are saying that it can be a good mental tool to use. It’s one of the best ways to figure out what you really need, and get rid of what you don’t. 

Sell Or Donate Things You Don’t Want

The next step is to take those items you think might cause you embarrassment and sell or donate them. Don’t be afraid to throw a yard sale if it means you can get rid of a lot of things quickly while earning a bit of money at the same time. Let other people take care of the items you no longer want for you. 

Keep Only The Books And Documents You Need

You also want to only keep the books and documents you need. Don’t be one of these people who insists on bringing everything with them. You probably won’t have space. 

Getting rid of books and documents is actually the most challenging aspect of decluttering. However, you almost always feel better having done it. 

When it comes to documents, keep the items you’ll reference in the future. For example, you might need bills to prove your address. 

For paper like bank statements and utility bills, check to see if you have an online record. If you do, then it usually means you’re free to remove them entirely. 

Lastly, keep anything sentimental. For example, you might want to keep an old dusty book in your bookcase because of what it reminded you of in the past. 

Be Ruthless In The Kitchen

You want to be as ruthless in the kitchen as possible. A lot of homeowners just have too many of the same items that they simply don’t need. For example, do you really need three spatulas, or will one suffice? 

The same goes for pots, pans, bowls, and other items. Most people simply have too many of these, cluttering up their homes and making them less enjoyable to use. 

Therefore, only bring the items with you that you absolutely need. If you have multiple weighing scales, just take the best one or the one you actually need for your recipes. 

Use The One-Year Rule

Another thing you can do is use the so-called “one-year rule.” The idea here is to throw out anything that is more than a year old that you don’t use anymore. 

Think about whether it is really worth keeping something you haven’t used for more than a year. Most of the time, it just isn’t, especially if it was something bought on a whim. 

Digitize Everything

You could also try digitizing as many of your possessions as possible before you move. Again, this is a good way of reducing clutter and condensing it all onto a single hard drive. 

For example, you could ask your utilities to stop sending you paper statements. You could also scan old kids’ artwork and receipts, dumping the rest in the garbage or recycling. 

Apply A Donation Algorithm

Failing that, you could also explore the idea of using a donation algorithm. This is where you have a strict rule about how you’ll treat all your items. 

Usually, it goes something like this: you start with 10 items that you’ll keep. Then you move onto 10 items you’ll donate, followed finally by 10 items you’ll throw out. Then, you repeat the process. 

Applying an algorithm like this can be a good way to discipline yourself. Even if you don’t want to get rid of items, it really forces you to decide what you need. 

Start With Low-Hanging Fruit

When it comes to decluttering, it can also pay dividends simply to start with the easiest options. For example, you could throw out items in your junk drawer or old toiletries in your medicine cabinet. You don’t have to dive in at the deep end with your artwork, trying to work out what you’re going to keep, and what you want to throw away. 

Use Storage

If you’re really struggling, Southside Moving and Storage movers recommend using storage. This option buys you time if you need to move quickly while providing a home for your belongings. 

Storage can be a good way to clear your mind in the first place and take the pressure off. You can remove anything that’s getting in the way and then bring it with you to your new  home if you feel it’s worth it. 

Apply The 20/20 Rule

If you’re weighing up an item and you’re not sure whether you want to throw it out, then try applying the 20/20 rule. The idea here is to get rid of anything you could replace in less than 20 minutes for under $20. If it’s that inexpensive and accessible, then you probably won’t miss it if you need to buy it again. 

Applying the 20/20 rule takes discipline, but it can also be liberating. It doesn’t take a lot of effort and is extremely simple to apply. 

Be More Job-Like

Finally, you’ll want to be more job-like in your approach to decluttering. As discussed, it’s not always the most pleasant of tasks, but it’s something that needs to be done. 
Therefore, book a couple of weeks out of your calendar to tackle it. Go through your home room by room until you’ve gotten rid of everything you don’t need anymore. Put it into your diary if you can as a non-negotiable entry, like spending three hours in the kitchen on Saturday morning.