Moving house soon? Then, decluttering should be your first step before packing anything. When you take time to sort through your things, you’ll realise how many items you don’t actually need to carry with you. That’s why this guide on how to declutter before moving house will help you clear out the clutter, save money, and make packing much easier.
When you declutter before moving house, you simply decide what to keep, donate, or throw away, so you only move with useful things. It makes your move faster, cheaper, and far less stressful.
Let’s go through decluttering tips step by step and make your moving day lighter and more organised.
Decluttering before you move saves time, energy, and money. It helps you start fresh in your new space with only the things that truly matter.
If you move fewer items, you’ll:
Now, let’s give you some effective tips to declutter your home before moving.
The earlier you start, the easier it becomes. Begin at least 4–6 weeks before your move. People usually own more stuff than they realise. So, give yourself enough time to sort through it.
Steps to plan easily:
This avoids last-minute stress and gives you time to make thoughtful decisions.
This four-box method keeps things simple and clear. Label four boxes or areas as:
Keep, Donate, Sell, Discard
Here’s how to use it:
| Category | What Goes Here | What To Do |
| Keep | Items you use and love | Clean and pack |
| Donate | Good condition, not needed | Give to a local charity |
| Sell | Valuable items | List online or have a sale |
| Discard | Broken or expired stuff | Recycle or throw away |
This method gives instant clarity. You’ll see exactly what stays and what goes.
Ask yourself, “Have I used this in the past year?” If the answer is no, it’s time to let it go. We usually use only 20% of our belongings regularly, while the rest just sit there. So, be brave and honest.
Don’t begin with sentimental things. Start with low-emotion areas like the kitchen, bathroom, or garage. Why? Because these rooms help you build momentum fast. Once you see quick results, you’ll feel motivated to continue. Save emotional stuff (old photos, gifts, or letters) for later.
Before you start packing, visit or look at your new place. Take videos or photos of every wall, shelf, and cupboard. It helps you understand how much space you actually have. If your new home has smaller wardrobes or storage, you’ll instantly know what needs to go.
The best way to declutter is to go one room at a time. Don’t rush or try to finish everything in a single day. Small steps work better and feel less tiring.
Also, if you want to learn how to declutter your house in one day, set a timer and move fast. Start early, clear one room at a time, make quick keep-donate-trash decisions, and don’t overthink anything.
If you can replace something for under £20 and in less than 20 minutes, you don’t need to keep it. This rule makes decisions quick and stress-free.
Example: That extra mug or old hairdryer? Let it go.
Decluttering becomes fun when everyone helps. Let kids sort their toys and clothes. Ask simple questions like:
When everyone takes responsibility, things move faster.
It’s okay to feel emotional about some belongings. But don’t let emotions block progress.
Tips that work:
Once sorted, remove the unwanted stuff fast. Keeping them around may make you second-guess your decision.
Best platforms to sell:
For donations:
People make £200–£500 selling unused items before moving. That’s a nice bonus to cover moving costs!
Take broken electronics, batteries, or papers to recycling centres. If you can’t transport them, hire a house clearance service. Many councils in the UK offer free or low-cost bulk item collection. Check your local site.
Your physical space isn’t the only thing that gets messy. Clean your laptop, delete old emails, and back up photos. It’s surprising how refreshing it feels when both your space and your digital life are neat.
Decluttering doesn’t have to be done all at once. The best way is to plan it like any other important task. Pick a few fixed times in your week just for decluttering. Treat it like a short meeting with yourself.
Start small. Give one to two hours a day to focus on one area or one category. This way, you’ll stay consistent without getting tired. After each session, give yourself a little reward.
Packing and decluttering can go hand in hand. As you decide what to keep, pack those items right away. It saves time later and keeps things organised.
Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap for fragile items, and always label everything. Write the room name and what’s inside each box. It makes unpacking in your new home much easier.
Keep similar items together. For example, pack all kitchen utensils in one box and all clothes in another. This avoids mix-ups and saves time when unpacking.
Also, clean each area before sealing boxes to avoid dust or dirt from moving to your new home.
Decluttering can sometimes feel tiring or emotional, especially when you’re sorting things with memories. Keep your mood up by playing your favourite music, listening to a podcast, or setting a fun playlist while you work.
Give yourself credit after each small win. Once you finish a room or a section, take a short break or do something you enjoy. You can also take “before and after” photos. Looking at how much cleaner and lighter your space becomes is a great motivator.
If decluttering feels too big to handle or you’re short on time, there’s no harm in getting help. Professional organisers are experts in sorting, categorising, and clearing spaces efficiently.
If you want to skip all the stress and make your move super easy, you can call Easy Way Removals. They handle the heavy lifting, packing, and even help you get rid of unwanted stuff safely. It’s the simplest way to move without any headache.
So, coming to this point, we can hope that you now know how to declutter before moving house. Decluttering before moving house isn’t just about cleaning up. It’s about starting a new chapter with freedom and clarity. Start early, take one area at a time, and be honest about what you truly need.
Besides, if you’re unsure how to pack everything properly, check out our full guide on how to pack up a house to move with Easy Way Removals. It shows step-by-step how to pack safely and move without stress.
