When preparing for a move, your storage spaces should be the first areas where you focus on decluttering and packing. These spaces are filled with items that are rarely (or even never) used, which makes it easier to get rid of things in a lot of cases.
If you want to start moving on the right foot, your attic should be your first stop. Of course, this can be a tight space that makes organizing and packing difficult, so make sure that you have a plan for efficiently going through your attic and getting it ready for the big move.
Step One: Sort Everything
Even if you think you know everything in the attic, sorting is still an important step. By putting like items together, you will have a better idea of how much of the same stuff you have. Plus, you will be able to organize piles of items that need to be donated or thrown out and a separate space for the things you want to keep.
You can sort items based on use, place in the home, person, season, or whatever category makes the most sense. In the case of decluttering, usefulness might be an essential factor in sorting items.
Step Two: Get Rid of Anything You Can
In many cases, people realize when they move that most of the items in storage are really of no use and just taking up space. After that, you can begin paring down the items that might not be as obvious to remove.
Step Three: Donate Items
Remember, the trash isn’t the only option. If you have been storing clothes that you are never going to wear again, consider donating them to a charity or local thrift store. That way, someone can get use out of them, and you aren’t just throwing them in the dumpster or keeping them around in case you change your mind.
Plus, donations are all tax-deductible, which means you can get money back at tax time.
Step Four: Consider New Storage Solutions
You don’t have to get rid of everything in your attic. You don’t have to get rid of anything at all if you don’t need to. Sometimes, a little organization is all it takes. Consider storage boxes and plastic totes to help you organize your attic and make things easier to move.
Plus, if you organize in storage boxes now, you won’t have to pack and unpack all of the items once you arrive at your new home.
Bonus Tip: Create a Labeling System for Ease of Moving
Consider using colored tape or sticky notes to mark boxes or items that you are cleaning out of your attic space before moving. You can color-code items for hauling, donation, and trash, as well as any other categories you think of.
This quick visual cue makes it easy for everyone to be on the same page throughout the decluttering process.
