Start your new home with ease
The purpose of clearing out before the move
Many people who are about to move house find the topic of decluttering stressful and are reluctant to tackle it. In reality, however, it is more than sensible, as new homes offer the ideal opportunity to check what is really needed and what can be done without. Over the years or even decades, a lot of things have usually accumulated, many of which clutter up the basement. A comprehensive sorting out not only saves a lot of money in terms of the volume of the move and the associated costs. It also offers great relief because you only take what you really need with you to your new home.
Take the opportunity to get rid of unnecessary clutter. This is often also a great relief emotionally, as many items are associated with consciously letting go. Set your priorities as you need them and not as the accumulated burdens dictate.
Reaching your goal with structure and support
The right planning and preparation
Thorough and planned preparation is essential for your clear-out. Don't wander aimlessly through your old home or cellar, as this can quickly lead to overwhelm, especially if the rooms are large and a lot of things have accumulated. Start with a clear deadline that tells you exactly when you want your clear-out project to be completed by. Allow for a sufficient buffer time so that unforeseen things don't cause you stress in the meantime.
Make your preparations room by room and consider not only which items you no longer want, but also what is essential for the new home and what is not. Plan dates for when you will take the items you want to get rid of or when you will sell them.
Let the person who is moving with you help you with everything. If you are moving alone, the advice of friends is helpful. They can go through the individual areas with you and help you make a decision.
The basis of every clear-out: the overview
A precise inventory
Before you start sorting out and clearing out items, take a comprehensive inventory of your furnishings. Think about a concrete system for this. Ideally, you should start with the furniture. Which of them should go with you to your new home, which ones do you want to replace and which ones are not coming with you. In the next steps, proceed from the outside inwards until you have reached all the things that are on shelves and in cupboards. Many things are important, valuable or count as important personal memories. Other things have been lying around for years and are neither looked at nor used. Get a rough overview of these things too.
Spend a lot of time in the basement or attic. There are numerous things stored here that you may not have needed for some time. Other things can be reactivated for the new flat and will fit in particularly well.
Structure instead of chaos when clearing out
The system of four boxes
One of the best-known and most tried-and-tested methods for sorting and decluttering is the four-box system. Take each room individually. Place four large boxes in the centre of the room. One box is for things that you want to take with you safely. The second box is for items that are clearly no longer needed and are no longer in a good enough condition to give away or sell. These items will be disposed of later. In the third box, you put everything that is not going with you but is still in good condition. You can sell it soon or give it to others. The fourth box is for things that you are still undecided about at the moment.
An important and helpful rule for the 4-box principle is the 1-year rule. It helps most people to make a decision more easily if they are undecided. Anything that you have neither used nor missed for a period of at least one year is probably well suited to not being taken away.
Create space and make others happy
Giving away and selling
The box with the things you no longer want, but which are too good to throw away, can either be given away or sold. This also applies to furniture that you have left over. If you want to give something away, you can contact one of the charitable organisations or social department stores in your city and ask whether what you have left is needed for people in need. Alternatively, you can use classified adverts, which usually have a section for things that are being given away.
If you want to sell your things, there are two classic options: Flea market and online portal. You can also combine the two and, for example, offer the things you didn't get rid of at the flea market online again.
If your moving date is in the foreseeable future, you may not want to set the amount you want to achieve too high. Otherwise there's a risk that you'll have to take some things with you because you couldn't get rid of them.
Dispose of properly, move cleanly
Legal criteria for disposal
For all the items in your household that you want to dispose of, you should take into account the associated legal requirements. Old electrical appliances, for example, must not be disposed of with household waste, even if they are small. A recycling centre in your area is suitable for this. Many local authorities also offer special collection centres. If you have large bulky waste items that you cannot or do not want to collect yourself, you can request a bulky waste collection from the city, which is often subject to a fee.
If you are unsure about how to dispose of your discarded items properly, you can enquire about the relevant regulations at your local authority or city. This also applies to the most environmentally friendly disposal possible.
There are often dealers who will collect your old items for a small fee. They can still use some of them and dispose of the rest professionally. You can usually find them via the usual classified ad portals relating to clearing out.
Conclusion
A move is the ideal opportunity to get rid of clutter and start a new chapter in your life with more clarity. If you start planning in good time, you will not only save money, but also nerves - whether through systematic decluttering, the use of professional moving boxes or structured communication with all those involved. Whether it's a company move or a private move: good preparation, targeted decisions and the right services make all the difference. A well thought-out process with checklists, packing tips and flexible solutions creates security and efficiency - and ensures that the move is not a burden, but a successful new start.
