Too much stuff? Moving into a smaller home? Or simply trying to declutter before you list your home for sale? Consider these five tips by the downsizing and estate sale experts:
1. Write a list of all the items you love and can’t part with; it will help you to discard the things that didn’t make your list.
2. Start going through your belongings at least three months before the move. Take some time each day, or a morning each week, to go through that jammed coat closet and overflowing filing cabinet. Make sure to take out all important documents. Put them in a safe place.
A clean, decluttered space showscases your home beautifully
3. Get a feel for the size of your new home and the size of the room and compare them to your home. You may think you can squeeze in items from your old home into your new home, but we always recommend measuring each room to compare and contrast.
4. Go through times in your home that don’t have as much sentimental value. Consider your kitchen: most people don’t need 10 mixing bowls and won’t get teary-eyed over losing a second spatula! If you’re downsizing from a house to a condo, target the garage. Snow shovels, the lawn mower, ladders – you won’t need any of them. Please remember that when discarding unwanted items that not all trash companies or local municipalities will take items such as TV’s, air conditioners, refrigerators, tires, paints and old computers. Check with your local providers and townships for more details.
5. Consider recycling or donating unwanted items. Recycle, reuse, sell and donate instead. Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbors if they can use any of the small items in your house (cleaning products for example) instead of just throwing them away.