Moving homes? Worried you will not be able to take on the heavy workload all by yourself? Thankfully, you have tons of removalists ready to help you around Brisbane Northside.
Removalist services can cost as much as $150 per hour. Even though more affordable options are available, the number of items will increase removalists Brisbane Northside expenses. The cost-effective approach to hiring a removalist in Brisbane would be to only use removalist services for only essential items.
Not sure what’s the best way to lighten your load? We’ll help you! Our team at Moving Solutions Australia has prepared a detailed guide to efficient decluttering for you. Follow these steps to get rid of unwanted and unused items before the professional movers and packers arrive.
Why Must You Declutter Before Removalists Brisbane Northside Start?
Before we start, let’s further discuss the importance of decluttering. First of all, owning too much stuff can never be good. If you are constantly buying or hoarding things, you will also have to manage, clean, and organize them. Otherwise, all the clutter will contribute to a stressful environment.
You will definitely notice the wrath of unnecessary items when packing for a move. Surely, deciding what to take to the new house and what to purge is not easy, but you will thank yourself later. Overall, the benefits of owning fewer things are limitless but here are some of the prime reasons:
- Save (and Make) Money – Decluttering can help you reduce expenses on equipment, supplies, and labour during a move. Fewer items also mean you have to pay less to removalists Brisbane Northside. That’s not all, You can even sell some of your unwanted items and make some extra cash!
- Makes Cleaning Easy – Both during packing and unpacking, dusty household goods and knick-knacks can make cleaning a tedious process. Downsizing on your belongings can help get rid of such items. So, not only will decluttering speed up your moving process but it will also make moving in a smooth experience.
- Get more Organized – You will be surprised to discover several lost or misplaced things when you begin decluttering. Simply sorting through all your possessions can offer you a better understanding of where everything is. Plus, as a decluttered home often has fewer contents, preparing for a move in an organized manner becomes quite easy. It is recommended that you sort through your belongings and classify them into piles while decluttering as it will give you or your removalist a head start.
- Let Go and Start Afresh – Getting rid of clutter can free you of emotional and physical ties. It also reduces the cost of logistics during both local and interstate moves. Moreover, if you have fewer things to unpack, settling in the new place will be easier. You can start new and decorate with a fresh mindset.
Tip 1: Take Time to Plan and Declutter
Like many things in life, successful and efficient decluttering depends on good planning. Do not put decluttering off until the day before you are scheduled to move. You need to start purging your belongings at least two weeks before removalists Brisbane Northside arrive.
This way, you will know what to keep and pack. Give yourself adequate time. Otherwise, you may end up making some extreme decisions on the spot. For instance, you might end up throwing too many things because you are stressed about packing so many things. Alternatively, you may throw in everything you have into boxes simply because you are too stressed to assess them at the moment.
The best way to tackle this is to start a few weeks in advance. Set aside a few hours each and assign realistic daily and weekly goals on how much you plan on decluttering. Note that it is always a good idea to have an idea of how big or small your new place before you start decluttering.
Tip 2: Divide Your Items into Keep, Sell, Donate, and Throw Piles
Before you proceed to the second step of decluttering, arrange loads of boxes, bins, or trash bags. For, you will be digging through your clutter and making piles. Yes! It is time to organize everything you have into one of these four piles: keep, sell, donate, and trash. It is important to clearly label and separate each of these piles.
The ‘Keep’ Pile
The ‘keep’ category should ideally have items you wish to alter or fix for future use. To help you best assess, ask the following questions:
- When was the last time I used it?
- Do I really wish to pack, transport, and unpack in the new house?
- How much money and time do I need to spend to repair it?
- Even if I repair it, how often will I use it?
We often tend to overestimate the practical value of an item. In reality, many repair jobs like fixing a light or broken clock are often not worth the hassle and expense.
The ‘Sell’ Pile
You can make some extra cash by simply selling items that are in good condition but of no use to you. While garage sales and resale shops are all great options, they can be quite time-consuming.
In case you opt for consignment or resale shops, it is better to research a few options. Consignment stores usually take a variety of household goods and furniture while some resale shops only accept clothes. Furthermore, many such shops will require you to make an appointment and may even have a limit on how much you can sell to them on a single day.
If you are looking for another option, the list below that be helpful:
- Your local online marketplaces
- Social media marketplaces
- Clothing resale websites
- Classified ads websites
- Ecommerce websites
Online marketplaces are great if you are looking to sell unused items without getting distracted in the middle of your move. One of the main requirements of selling online is high-quality pictures, so make sure you have a camera. You can eliminate the ‘sell’ pile altogether if you do not have the time to manage and advertise the items.
The ‘Donate’ Pile
If a product is still in good condition but you do not have the intention or energy to sell it, you can always donate it. This is a win-win situation where you can get rid of unwanted clutter and someone else can fulfil their needs. Simply pass it on if you have not used it recently.
Some commonly donated items include linens, clothes, and costumes. You may also donate books, toys, games, and sporting goods. Also, decor, appliances, and furniture are donation-worthy items that can be very helpful for the recipient.
The ‘Trash’ Pile
Items that do not qualify for any of the aforementioned piles often get discarded. Add belongings that you cannot reuse again or repair to the ‘trash’ pile. Throw the trash after each decluttering session to allow more sorting space in the house.
Tip 3: Declutter One Room at a Time
Proper planning is essential if you want to finish decluttering before removalists start packing and shifting your belongings. Choose one room at a time. Ideally, starting with the least cluttered room might be helpful. Sort all the content of that room into the four categories mentioned above. Make sure to establish a clear labelling system to make it easier for removalists Brisbane Northside.
Start with the heaviest objects in the room such as beds, sofas, dressers, tables, and entertainment systems. As it may be difficult to move furniture into different piles, you can use sticky notes to label which pile each item belongs to. Again, keep the layout of your future home in mind when keeping or purging furniture pieces.
After tackling all the heavy objects, break the room into sections. Conquer cabinets, closets, drawers, floor areas, and surface areas – one at a time. Sort items in each of these sections in keep, sell, donate, or throw piles. Below are some room-based sorting inspirations to help you get started.
Decluttering a Kitchen
Identify what items in the kitchen you have not used recently. Rummage through cabinets to identify the appliances, perishables, or food that you do not reach out for any more. You will find that kitchen gears are often under-utilized. Yet, they take a lot of space in the cabinets. So, if you have a fondue pot, asparagus peeler, or snow cone maker, it is time to let them go. Wondering what else you can bid farewell to? Here’s a list to help you declutter your kitchen:
- Expired food and beverages in the fridge
- Expired perishables in the pantry
- Chipped mugs and cups
- Mismatched dishes
- Unused kitchen gear and china
- Duplicate serving ware and plastic containers
- Small gadgets with missing parts
- Broken kitchen appliances
Decluttering a Bedroom
The most daunting part of decluttering your bedroom is going through your closet – piece by piece. Of course, decisions regarding furniture and other heavy items in the bedroom are important. However, the most difficult part is choosing what in your closet needs to go. The general rule is to only keep clothes and personal items that you love to use and wear. So, you may want to bid farewell to the following:
- Worn-out and outdated clothing, shoes, and accessories
- Clothing, shoes, and accessories you have never worn
- Extra winter coats and other off-season gear
- Mis-matched or worn-out linens
- Books and magazines you never read
Decluttering a Bathroom
Your bathroom may be one of the smaller spaces in the house but you will be amazed at how much you can purge in your bathroom. Here are some things you can declutter in the bathroom:
- Expired vitamins, supplements, and medicines
- Expired perfumes, soaps, bath products, lotions, and beauty products
- Expired or unused makeup items
- Travel-size products you have been hoarding
- Old, ripped, and stained washcloths, bathmats, and towels
Declutter the Common Area
The main living and dining area of the house has a mix of big and smaller objects you can purge. Discarding smaller items can ease packing while decluttering bigger ticket pieces can offer a clean canvas at your new home. Stop and ask yourself, “Do these pieces match my decor expectation for the new space?” If not, you can close your eyes and purge the following:
- Worn-out upholstered furniture and couches
- Wobbly or worn-out chairs
- old and damaged artwork
- Chipped or broken picture frames
- Outgrown, broken, or duplicate toys
- Unused musical instruments such as pianos
- dated or worn-out area rugs
Declutter Garage, Attic, or Basement
Finally, you need to practice the nitty-gritty of decluttering in extra spaces such as the garage, attic, and basements. These rooms often store sentimental items. Do make parting ways with such items easier, ask yourself, “ Am I attached to the memory of this item, or do I really love it?”
If you have been holding onto it for a nostalgic connection, consider that you will always have the memory with you. Alternatively, you can preserve the object digitally by taking a picture. Even though decluttering such items can be difficult, letting go of the emotional baggage before a move can help you settle better in the new home. Some commonly unused items in your garage, attic, or basement may be:
- Souvenirs, trophies, and mementoes
- Leftover material from construction and interior design
- Holiday decorations
- Outdated electronics
- Lawn equipment and other under-used tools
- Unused fitness and sports equipment
The Bottom Line
Follow these simple tips and dominate your decluttering journey! Start with the least populated rooms first and sort the heavier items first. Once you have all of your unnecessary items out of the way, it will be easier for removalists Brisbane Northside to do their job. What’s more? You will be making money from sales of unwanted items and save money on removalist expenses.