10 Things to Declutter Before Moving House

Andrea Lewis
4 days ago
4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Moving house is one of life's most significant transitions and one of the best opportunities to take stock of everything you own. The boxes you pack today are the boxes you will unpack tomorrow, so bringing unnecessary clutter into a new home only means dealing with it later.

As a professional home organiser in London, I have supported many clients through house moves, and one thing is always true: the less you move, the better your new home feels from day one. Here are the ten things I recommend decluttering before moving day.

Packing boxes neatly before a house move with only essential items kept — The key to a stress-free move is deciding what stays and what goes before the packing begins.

1. Clothes You Have Not Worn in Over a Year

The wardrobe is often the single biggest source of clutter in any home. Before packing a single item of clothing, go through every rail and drawer. If you have not worn it in over a year, the chances are high that you will not wear it in your new home either. Donate, sell, or recycle what no longer serves you.

A person in a green sweater stands beside an open wardrobe filled with colorful clothes, looking towards the camera with a neutral expression. — Decluttering clothes you haven’t worn in over a year creates a more organised, minimalist wardrobe and makes moving far easier.

2. Declutter Duplicate Kitchen Items

Most of us accumulate multiples of everyday kitchen items three wooden spoons, two colanders, four mugs that do not match anything. A house move is the ideal moment to streamline. Keep only what you genuinely use and love and let the rest go before it takes up space in your new kitchen cupboards.

Woman in gray sweater organising glass jars on a kitchen shelf. White cabinets, knives on wall. Bright, tidy atmosphere. — Reducing your kitchen items to make a bright and tidy kitchen.

3. Paperwork and Old Documents

Old bills, expired warranties, instruction manuals for appliances you no longer own — paper clutter is deceptively heavy and takes up more space than most people realise. Before moving, go through every file, folder, and loose pile. Keep only what is legally or practically necessary, and shred or recycle the rest.

Laptop on wooden desk with potted plant, phone, and colorful pens. Shelves with books and decor in warm, cozy room. — Sorting through old paperwork and keeping only what you need helps reduce clutter and creates a more organised, stress-free move.

4. Broken or Unused Appliances

That bread maker you have used twice, the blender with a cracked lid, the slow cooker still in its original box, broken or underused appliances are among the most common sources of unnecessary clutter during a move. If it does not work or you have not used it in years, it does not earn a place in your new home.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, wooden countertops, two black lamps, and open shelves holding cups and jars. Cozy and tidy ambiance. — Modern kitchen with white cabinets, wooden countertops and a minimalist view.

5. Books You Will Not Read Again

Books are meaningful, but they are also heavy and space-consuming. Be honest with yourself: which books have genuinely shaped you and which have simply accumulated? Donate to charity, pass them on to friends or leave them in a local library exchange before packing day.

A cozy living room with a green sofa, bookshelves filled with colorful books, a wooden table, black chairs, and a plant in a silver pot. — Decluttering books you no longer read makes moving easier, lighter and more organised.

6. Toiletries and Beauty Products

Bathroom cabinets and drawers often hold products that are expired, barely used, or simply forgotten. Before moving, empty every shelf and check each item. Expired products should be disposed of responsibly and anything you genuinely do not use should be passed on or recycled.

Modern bathroom with a round mirror, gray stone sink, and wooden shelves. Green plants and pastel vases add color. Minimalist decor. — Clearing out unused toiletries and beauty products helps create a cleaner, calmer and more organised home before moving.

7. Children's Outgrown Toys and Clothes

If you have children, the volume of outgrown toys, games, and clothing can be substantial. Sort through everything before moving day and donate, sell, or pass on items that are no longer age-appropriate. Not only does this reduce the volume of boxes, it also gives you a wonderful opportunity to involve your children in the process.

Open wardrobe with colorful children's jackets on hangers. Framed text art on top says "this is where the magic," wall art reads "make your own magic." — Sorting outgrown children’s clothes and toys before moving helps create a more organised and clutter-free family home.

8. Linen and Towels in Poor Condition

Frayed towels, mismatched bedding, pillows past their best, a house move is a natural prompt to audit your linen cupboard. Keep only what is in good condition and fits your new home's aesthetic. Old towels can often be donated to animal shelters, which are always grateful for them.

Organised shelves with neatly folded linens and towels in white baskets. Wicker basket and potted plant add a cozy touch to the room. — Decluttering old towels and worn bedding helps create a fresher, calmer and more organised home before moving.

9. Furniture That Does Not Fit Your New Space

If you know your new home is a different size or layout, think carefully before moving large pieces of furniture that will not work. It is far better to sell or donate a sofa before the move than to have it delivered, discover it does not fit and then arrange disposal at the other end.

Measuring furniture before a house move to check it fits the new property — Check measurements carefully, furniture that does not fit your new home should not make the journey.

10. Sentimental Items You Are Keeping Out of Guilt

This is often the hardest category, but it is one of the most important. We all hold on to things out of obligation, gifts we never liked, items from people who are no longer in our lives, things that feel too significant to let go of but too painful to look at. A house move is a powerful moment to release what no longer serves you with kindness and intention.

Professional organiser helping a client sort through sentimental items before moving house — Letting go of sentimental clutter with intention is one of the most freeing things you can do during a move.

Conclusion

Moving house is a fresh start and it is one you deserve to begin with clarity and intention. Decluttering before you pack means arriving in your new home with only what you truly need, love, and use. The unpacking process becomes smoother, the space feels immediately more functional and the mental weight of excess simply does not follow you through the door.

Need Help Before Your Move?

Moving is one of the most stressful life events there is but it does not have to be. As a professional home organiser based in London, I offer pre-move decluttering and packing support that makes the entire process calmer, more manageable and far more enjoyable.

Get in touch with The Organised Curator to find out how I can help.