Regular decluttering is important, but most of us simply don’t have the time to go through our drawers, untidy corners, or crammed rooms that often. It more tends to be a seasonal event that occurs after Christmas for many of us. But it’s also an important task when it comes to moving home.
Knowing what to do with all the items you’ve collected over the years is difficult, and it can be hard to decide what to keep and what to discard. However, if you take it bit by bit and little by little, and you consider some good storage options, it immediately becomes more manageable.
Here, we bring you a range of room-by-room decluttering tips which you might find useful.
Decluttering tips before moving house
If you clean out your home before you move, you will be amazed at how much easier the move becomes. There are many benefits to decluttering before you move:
- You’ll save money. The the less you have to move, the cheaper it can be. You will spend less on moving costs and packing supplies.
- It will be easier to stage your home if you are selling it.
- You might be able to make money by selling things you no longer need.
- You won’t have to work as hard to pack and unpack.
- It will be easier to organise your new home as you won’t have so much clutter with you.
1. Decluttering: Where to Begin
Start decluttering early. Write down which rooms need the most work. Dedicate time to declutter and plan what you’ll do in each session. If you need help, ask a friend, family member, partner, or professional organiser.
2. Sort Clutter Using Containers
Utilising containers like storage boxes, plastic baskets, or storage bags will help you save time and effort. As you organise your belongings, you won’t need to constantly move between rooms. Additionally, your clutter will be categorised to help you decide what happens next.
3. Decluttering Container Types
Many mistakenly sort office supplies, holiday décor, kitchen items, seasonal clothing, and unnecessary furniture by use. This could result in a long list of cardboard boxes and make decluttering too difficult. Instead, sort into 5 categories with containers for each. This will help to make the task easier. Here are some ideas:
a. The ‘To be Repaired’ Container
Put anything broken, chipped, or incomplete in your fix and repair container. Broken items collect dust. Fix or discard these. Keep the container in a visible place. After decluttering, review this container. If you can’t fix broken items, find someone who can or throw them away.
b. The ‘To be Stored’ Container
This container is a great place to start putting things away. Photo albums, books, sticky tape, pens, cups, mugs, the coffee machine, shoes, jumpers – the list goes on.
c. The ‘Recycling’ Container
Start sorting plastic, paper, and glass. Not everything you throw out is rubbish. Recycle to save the planet. Donate your clean paper, glass, and plastic.
d. The ‘Garbage’ Container
Use black bin bags. This bin contains broken and non-recyclable items. Discard broken dishes, plant waste, tissues, expired food, and old cosmetics. Food wrappers, expired cleaning products, and old refrigerator food can also be thrown away. Donate old clothes and furniture instead of throwing them away.
e. The ‘Donations’ Container
Someone else could use a good-condition item you no longer want. The container can hold unneeded items you haven’t used for at least a year. After sorting and decluttering, donate the container to a local charity.
4. Get rid of things you don’t want
Many find it difficult to get rid of old stuff. This is most likely what caused your clutter in the first place. Stop accumulating clutter and start learning to let go. You probably don’t need something you haven’t used in a few years or consider storing them securely.
5. Use a storage company to store goods you want to keep
Many people struggle with what to do with their possessions, many of which they love but only use infrequently, or which are valuable but take up too much space in their home.
When thinking about where to store your goods, it’s important to choose wisely. Dust, pests, mould, temperature, humidity, and light damage are all key factors to consider. Even clean areas can accumulate dust. Insects such as beetles and moths can cause damage to your property. Cracks are caused by temperature fluctuations. Mold, mildew, and other bacteria and fungi thrive in moist conditions. UV rays from sunlight degrade many materials.
Utilising a professional storage facility for items you want to keep but don’t need easy access to is often a good option. Long-term storage solutions can be helpful if you need more storage space, are moving your home or office, or have long-term travel plans.
Off-site storage is a practical and affordable way to keep your belongings safe. But what factors should you consider when deciding on the best long-term storage option for you?
Some important factors to consider when selecting the best storage solutions for you are:
- Security
- Cost
- Collection and delivery services
- Clean and pest free
- Your belongings are covered by insurance
Storage security is very important. CCTV cameras and alarms should monitor the facility 24/7. When your valuables are stored off site, you don’t want increased risk. Location can also be a key consideration. Choosing a nationwide company can save time and money on transportation.
To avoid storage fees, find a solution that charges by volume. Adding to this, the British Association of Removers recommends that your storage company’s containers be optimally sized (7ft 2in X 5ft X 8ft), clean, dry, and secured with sealing clips.
Choose a company to collect and return your items; one where your goods for storage are loaded directly into your allocated specialist containers outside your home, reducing damage.
A storage company that provides insurance for your unit or extra peace of mind is an added bonus.
Finally, check the company’s customer reviews. These will help you determine if the company provides good customer service and reassure you that it is reputable and has a long history of excellent service.
Doree Bonner International provides secure storage for all sizes and types of household and office items, with prices based on actual volume to avoid extra storage fees. We are dedicated to providing a personalised service and can collect and deliver your items from any location in the UK.
Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for storage advice and assistance.
