When moving to a new home, it is ideal to get rid of a few things that you won’t need to for your new home. In order to do this in the most effective way possible, begin by sorting through all your items. It is always better to do this before your move so you won’t have to pack as much, saving space and possibly money.

The first place you should start sorting through is any space that has clutter. This can typically be storage areas like a closet or an attic. These areas tend to have things we have stored that we forgot about and no longer have a use for. Sorting through the ‘storage areas’ in your house will be the easiest way to find what you don’t need, however it may take a while depending on how much stuff you have. Take note of everything that you plan on taking with you and what you are leaving behind. This will help you to remember what you actually need, and can be very helpful if you are hiring a moving company to help pack up.

Put your belongings together based on which room they came from. Doing this will help you visualize all the things you have and how much space you will need for them. Having them spread out will make it seem as though you have less belongings. Based on your items, make two piles for each room. One for what you plan on bringing and the other for everything that will be left behind, donated, sold, etc. Once you have these two piles, go to the pile with the items you are not taking with you and divide that pile into subcategories.

Make smaller piles for all the things you will donate, sell, and throw away. Keep these items separate and make sure not to mix them up. It may be a good idea to put these items in boxes or bins, labeling them according to their use. Run through everything one last time to make sure you didn’t accidentally put something in the wrong pile. If you are hesitant on whether or not to bring an item, it is probably better to leave it behind.

If you have food that you are planning to throw out because of your move, consider donating it. Move for Hunger is an organization that takes unopened, non-perishable food items and delivers it to families in need. To find out more about Move for Hunger, click here.

Now that you have all your items organized and sorted through, it is time to take action. Hold a garage sale for any items you are planning to sell, donate any items you plan to donate and begin packing for your new home!