Moving is stressful enough without hauling years of accumulated stuff to your new place. Here's how to declutter effectively and make your move easier, faster, and cheaper.
1. Start Early—At Least 6 Weeks Before
The biggest mistake people make is waiting until the last minute. Give yourself at least 6 weeks to sort through everything. This reduces stress and gives you time to sell, donate, or dispose of items properly.
2. Use the Four-Box Method
For each room, set up four boxes or areas: Keep, Donate, Sell, and Trash. Every item must go into one of these categories. No "maybe" pile allowed—that's just postponing decisions.
3. Tackle One Room at a Time
Don't jump around. Complete one room before moving to the next. This gives you a sense of accomplishment and prevents the overwhelming feeling of half-finished projects everywhere.
4. Start with the Easy Stuff
Begin with areas that don't have sentimental items—like the garage, bathroom, or kitchen pantry. Build momentum before tackling emotionally difficult spaces like photo albums or keepsakes.
5. Apply the One-Year Rule
If you haven't used something in the past year, you probably won't use it in the next year either. Exceptions exist for seasonal items and formal wear, but be honest with yourself.
6. Measure Your New Space
Know the dimensions of your new home. That oversized sectional might not fit. Measure furniture and compare to your new floor plan before deciding what to keep.
7. Digitize What You Can
Old photos, documents, kids' artwork—scan or photograph these items. You keep the memories without the physical clutter. Cloud storage is cheaper than moving boxes.
8. Calculate the True Cost of Moving Items
Moving companies charge by weight and volume. That $50 dresser might cost $100 to move. Sometimes it's cheaper to donate and replace than to haul old furniture across town—or across the country.
9. Get Help for the Heavy Lifting
Once you've sorted everything, don't spend your valuable time hauling stuff to the dump. A professional junk removal service can clear out your donate and trash piles in one visit, often the same day you call.
10. Don't Forget Hidden Spaces
Attics, basements, crawl spaces, the back of closets, under beds—these areas accumulate forgotten items. Check every hidden space before moving day surprises you.
Pro Tip from GoGo Junk Removal
Schedule your junk removal appointment for 1-2 weeks before your move date. This gives you time to finish sorting and ensures everything is cleared before the moving truck arrives.
Ready to Declutter?
GoGo Junk Removal serves Metro Atlanta, including Decatur, DeKalb, Henry, and Rockdale counties. We offer same-day service and donate usable items to local charities like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity ReStore.