Tips for Decluttering Your Home Before a Move

As an interior designer, I’ve seen firsthand how decluttering can transform a space, especially when preparing for a move. Whether you’re relocating within Manhattan, Brooklyn, or moving cross-country, organizing your belongings can make the process smoother and your new home more inviting. Here are some tailored tips to help you declutter effectively:​

1. Divide and Conquer

Tackling your entire home in one go can be overwhelming. Even if you are in a smaller apartment, it can still be a lot.  Lots of people don’t have a lot of space (particularly in New York City), but they still collect and create a cluttered environment.  Of course, if you have a nice loft or Brooklyn brownstone, that makes having adequate space a lot easier.  But, as a New York-based designer I’ve still seen plenty of large homes packed with stuff (I didn’t say junk 😊)

So, rather than feeling overwhelmed, consider allocating specific times to assess each room individually. Create a prioritized list, perhaps starting with less frequently used areas like the attic or basement or for New Yorkers, a second bedroom that’s not used that much but has been turned into “storage”.

By interspersing challenging tasks with simpler ones, you can maintain motivation. Research even indicates that checking items off a list can boost feelings of accomplishment and productivity.

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2. Embrace Letting Go (Marie Kondo, anyone?)

Over time, it’s natural to accumulate items that no longer serve a purpose. Evaluate belongings based on their functionality and how often you use them. Holding onto things “just in case” can lead to unnecessary clutter. I think this is one of the most difficult parts of trying to declutter your home.  I mean, who wants to have to go out again and buy that special kitchen item (ice cream maker, anyone?) that you’ve used once but skill keep thinking you will use this summer.  Adopting a “when in doubt, throw it out” mindset can expedite the decluttering process.

Donating usable items to local thrift stores not only benefits others but also lightens your load. For instance, the Goodwill Store and Donation Center in Downtown Brooklyn accepts a variety of items and supports community programs. ​

3. Categorize Your Items

Organizing belongings into categories can provide clarity. This may seem like an extra step of drudgery in an already annoying process.  But I’ve actually done this, and one thing it really helped with was seeing how many things I had that were duplicative. So, use labeled containers for items like “kitchen accessories” or “bed linens.” or “wires/chargers”. I suggest doing this to identify those duplicates (or near duplicates) and assess the true volume of possessions in each category. Such categorization can further streamline the decluttering process. ​

4. The Three-Pile Strategy: Keep, Donate, Discard

The next step is quite straightforward.  As you sort through your items, designate them into one of three categories:​

• Keep: Essential items you’ll move to your new home.​
• Donate: Items in good condition that others might find useful.
• Discard: Broken or unusable items that should be recycled or trashed.​

This approach simplifies decision-making and ensures you only transport what truly matters. Not only will you end up with less to deal with in your new home, but you may even save money on the actual moving expenses.

For donations, consider local organizations that supports your values and interests. Some benefit the homeless, some benefit a particular faith, while others can benefit organizations for at risk people, or those dealing with illness.  Look for ones that accept a wide range of items and actually support some sort of community benefit initiative. ​

5. Find Local Resources for Decluttering Your Home

For instance, as you know I live in Brooklyn, and there are quite a few donation centers that I can go to which not only do good but will assist with decluttering! A few include:​

• Out of the Closet: A nonprofit thrift store in Boerum Hill accepting clothing, furniture, and household items.
• Another organization is SCOwhich has been around since the 1800s and has been helping under-resourced communities ever since.
• Salvation Army Thrift Store & Donation Center. They have stores in multiple locations with both drop-off spots and pickup services for larger items. You can use their online tool to look for a spot.

Again, by using such resources you will not only declutter your home but also support community initiatives.

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6. Adopt the ‘Move-Out’ Method

Now let’s say, you aren’t moving but need to declutter.  I like the idea of “pretend you’re moving out” even if you’re not! Remove all items from a space and only bring back what you truly need or love. This technique offers a fresh perspective on what’s essential and what’s merely taking up space. It’s also not a bad way of thinking about the interior design of the space.

7. Digitize Sentimental Items

This is a big one.  And It can feel really time-consuming and overwhelming.  But photographs, letters, children’s artwork, and other “analog” items can seriously accumulate over the years. By digitizing these mementos, you preserve memories without all that physical clutter. There are various apps and services available that can help you convert physical documents into digital formats, making them easily accessible and shareable.​ And god forbid, there is a flood or fire or other disaster in your home.  At least you’ll have a backup.

8. Set Realistic Goals and Timelines

Decluttering is a process that requires time and effort. Set achievable goals, such as focusing on one room per week, to prevent burning out. And (I love this one) reward yourself after completing each task can also serve as motivation to keep the project going until you are done.  And believe me, this works! Remember, the objective is progress, not perfection.​

By implementing these few strategies, you can transform the daunting task of decluttering your home into a manageable and even pleasant experience. And as a New York interior designer, I’ve witnessed how well-organized spaces given how constrained we can be in this city can really enhance both the aesthetics and the functionality of that space.

It’s almost Spring in NYC.  You should embrace this process…and look forward to a fresh start in your new home, or a new start in your current one!

Readers, here are a few additional links to help your decluttering projects.

7 Things You Should Toss Before Moving

Moving Is a More Painless Process If You Follow These 10 Genius Tips