It is important to know what to keep when moving, as well as what to get rid of. A move is an amazing opportunity to invite change in your life, and there’s no better way to do it than with a declutter. For great tips on how to reduce your inventory and take only the stuff you truly need to the next chapter of your life – keep reading.
Out With the Old, in With the New: Why Is It so Important to Thoroughly Consider What to Keep When Moving to a New Place?
No matter what your reason to move is, creating room for everything new life will bring is just one of the many benefits of relocation. So, if you want to ensure a successful transition to the next chapter of your life, we recommend following one or two of our relocation tips – one of them being to thoroughly declutter your house. And there are many reasons to do so, just a few of which we’ll sketch out now.
Create Room for New Things
Space management is one of the main reasons a declutter will be on your to-do list. It may seem like a lot of work next to the many other things to do before a move, but it is unavoidable. Unless you are going to relocate to a larger home, you’ll probably have to consider what to keep and what to sell when moving. Some of your furniture might not fit the shape and size of its corresponding room, and your formerly favorite decorations might not suit the vibe of your new place. So, in order to get creative with your new living space, you’ll first have to figure out what has to go.
Make Packing and Unpacking Quicker and Less Costly
If this is your first time moving out, or you suppressed the memory of relocation stress you formerly experienced, you might not be aware of howdifficult relocation can get when you own a lot of stuff. Research shows that it’s one of the three most strenuous activities a US citizen will go through in their lifetime. So, suppose you want this process to go as smoothly and quickly as possible – and not blow your entire relocation expenses checklist on packaging materials and truck rental. In that case, a declutter is a great way to go.
Save Cash On Moving Services in Los Angeles
If you decide to hire one of the Los Angeles moving companies to help you move efficiently, you’ll want to reduce the number of your belongings. Most of the moving companies in Los Angeles will create their fees on account of how much time they have to spend boxing up everything from your packing list, as well as on relocating your large items. That means that the number of your possessions will directly affect how much you’ll pay a local moving company in Los Angeles. If you think your money will be better spent at downtown restaurants, it’s time to get to downsizing.
How to Decide What to Get Rid of and What to Keep When You Relocate?
Now that you know the reasons behind a declutter, let’s get into the nitty-gritty parts of the process. And it starts with asking the question: what should I purge before moving? Well, we have a few rules that will help you decide if an object is serving a relevant purpose in your life. And if not, we recommend not taking it to your future residence.
Don’t Take Anything You Don’t Use
We know some objects might have more of an emotional value than a practical one. However, let’s not complicate matters. Setting aside a few objects you keep because they are important to you due to their history, most of the things in your home should be useful. For example, if you bought a vacuum cleaner, you don’t need the old one. And, if you only use a vacuum for cleaning dust, throw out the dust cleaner. The logic is as follows: if you don’t utilize something, it’s time to find it a better home – and it shouldn’t be your future Hollywood neighborhood house.
Purge Everything Broken or Worn Out
It’s normal objects break or get worn out, but that doesn’t mean you should still keep them in your inventory forever. Next to those you no longer use, you should also purge those that are no longer usable. So, before you start to pack your clothes, ensure you’ve gone through all of them and set aside those which are torn or lost their color. Before you pack your shoes, ensure all of them are in good condition and in one piece. The ultimate relocation hack truly is not to spend money on relocating something that won’t survive for longer than three more months.
Get Rid Of Items That Won’t Fit Your Future House
Before you get to packing furniture, do have the measurements of the furniture, and your future place, in mind. If something is too large for your future living space, or for that matter, too small for your home, you should avoid taking it with you. The same thing applies to everything else that doesn’t fit your apartment on account of design or general aesthetic. Take this opportunity to minimize your inventory seriously – there’s no better way to start a clean slate than by getting rid of the things related to a past version of yourself.
Be Ready to Declutter Items Los Angeles Movers Can’t Move
Whatever local movers in Los Angeles you choose to contact and hire, know that there are always objects they won’t move. Even if you drive in LA, you probably won’t be able to take the entire batch of these things with you, but if you live in the city without a car, taking everything will require a lot of organization and going back and forth. So, before you relocate, make sure all these are accounted for, in one way or another:
- Perishable foods and drinks,
- Cleaning materials and similar chemicals,
- Dangerous objects such as weapons and ammunition,
- Personal documentation,
- Valuable possessions like extremely expensive artwork and jewelry.
What Items Are Worth Moving?
Now that you know what not to take, let’s deal with the opposite category – what are the objects you absolutely mustn’t forget to pack when you move. The following are the main clutters that are often overlooked and which you’ll be happy you didn’t miss out on packing:
- Personal, financial, and medical documentation – While you might feel like throwing out all the bills, receipts, and checks, make sure to take them with you. There is nothing more important than having your documents well organized and on you. So, get a binder or a few and categorize your documents well – you never know when you might need them.
- Valuable jewelry and heirlooms – These objects most often have both a financial and an emotional value, so it is good to take them with you.
- Key furniture pieces – If most of your furniture is in good condition, you should definitely consider taking it with you. After all, you’ll need a bed to sleep in after an exhausting day of relocating everything.
- Artwork and decorations you enjoy – While there is a chance you’ve grown out of some of your previous tastes, there is surely a range of decorative pieces you want to take to your home. Additionally, some might be original works you won’t be able to come across again, making them even more valuable.
- A bag with essentials – Of course, you won’t be able to move without your bag with essential belongings, such as a few outfits, chargers, hygiene products, basic cooking and cleaning supplies.
- Electronic devices and appliances – Although they might be somewhat fragile and bulky simultaneously, making them a hassle to move, devices are still expensive and useful objects, so don’t sleep on taking those you use with you.
Once You Create a Pile of Unwanted Stuff, It’s Time to Decide What to Do With All These Things
Once you have a pile of objects you are ready to part with, you’ll have to decide what to do with them. It’s no easy task to determine what to keep, what to throw away, what to donate, and what to sell – trust us. We’ll also instruct you on where you can do it inside of your city.
Where to Donate Objects in LA?
A great way to get rid of unwanted items is by giving them up for donation. By choosing to donate, you can support a cause close to your heart and minimize your inventory all at once. There is an abundance of drop-off donation centers in the city, so you’ll surely find one that can give your old items a new life. Whether you want to get rid of clothes, furniture, or food, you’ll be able to find someone to take it off of your hands.
How Best to Sell Items You No Longer Need?
If you want to make a buck or two and turn the move into a less costly venture, there are ways to go about it. Of course, the main one being to recreate the best mall in Cali in your backyard through a garage sale. By LA laws, you can throw two sales every year without requiring any special permits. Consider selling stuff like frames, toys, and fishing equipment as they sell well. Other than that, you can always take the online route. We recommend checking out the top 5 apps for selling your stuff in LA so that you get the best exposure without the need to ship your things long distance.
Try Recycling Stuff Before You Throw It Away
With global warming well underway, it’s never a bad choice to recycle anything that can be recycled before just throwing it in the garbage bin. And while some residential buildings in the city have free recycling services, some people will have to put in a bit more effort to do something nice for our planet.
Of course, in case you are dealing with destroyed objects and expired food, feel free to throw them out. If you are unsure of how to dispose of items responsibly in the city, we recommend looking at a household recycling guide – it will tell you all you should know. If you are interested in furthering your recycling knowledge and habits, we recommend trying out the following video:
Hire a Los Angeles Moving Company to Make Your Move As Easy As Possible
Once you’ve decided on what you are taking with you, you’ve done a great deal of your residential relocation. However, if you want your move to go smoothly from that moment on, you might like to consider getting some help from professional movers in Los Angeles. Employees of the best LA moving company will provide you with any service you might need.
Our cheap movers in Los Angeles are known for their stellar work, friendly way, and amazing prices. And if you do not trust us, read our reviews. Any of our services, from commercial relocation service to in- and-out-of storage relocation, have five-star ratings. And with us, you can also get packing service as well as labor relocation only, knowing that you have the best movers in Los Angeles on the job. So, don’t waste a second more – contact us today and get your free quote! Our friendly customer service is waiting for your call.
