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Original poster

Tips for de-cluttering etc ready to move into smaller house?

35 replies

ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 00:16

I am moving in January into a smaller house in January and need tips on everything really.

What stays, what goes etc etc etc.

First full house move so a little daunting.

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Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 00:16

Oh and cannot afford someone to pack for me.

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ChippingIn · 05/12/2010 00:22

LOL

People do ask the strangest things om MN!!

Throw away rubbish (recycle where possible)

Charity anything you don't LOVE/USE

Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 00:30

Why is it strange Chipping?

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Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 00:30

I've charity shopped loads of things but still seem cluttered.

LunchTime tomorrow ok for you? Grin

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dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 05/12/2010 00:31

Not a strange request at all. I have asked the same.

Firstly you there is a good book thats looks at the psychology of clutter and hoarding but you havent got time to read that!

Do you have vast collections of books/videos/DVDs that can go or be streamlined? Thats mt area of weakness.

Get rid of clothes that you never wear or dont fit. Dont buy in advance (another downfall of mine)

Egg timer- 10 mins - and tackle one area.

Im decluttering toys tomorrow- wish me luck!

dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 05/12/2010 00:33

this thread may help

Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 00:35

Books and dvd's were passed onto friends...over 200 books went Sad

Did toy box yesterday, bought dc's a toy box each for their bedrooms when we move.

Will start on clothes tomorrow. That is my biggest downfall.

I'm not really much of a hoarder tbh. I just have more stuff in this house that won't fit in the new one. Plus, there will not be as much storage. We have built in cupboards in each bedroom here.

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DuelingFanjo · 05/12/2010 00:35

be ruthless with furniture. I moved from a 3 bed bay fronted house to a 2 bed terrace and tried to take every bit of furniture with me. Eveb though I had made several trips to the dump and freecycled loads of clutter I hadn't thought about how my furniture would fit in my new house.

Sidge · 05/12/2010 00:40

If you haven't used it or worn it for a year then ditch it. Be ruthless re clothes that don't fit - don't keep them just in case you'll get bigger or smaller.

Chuck anything tatty or in need of serious repair.

Don't keep duplicates of things without very good reason.

dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 05/12/2010 00:45

Do you feel you need to rehome everything otherwise it seems wasteful- I do.

Good luck in your lovely new home- just picture it as you declutter

Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 00:56

All my clothes have been sorted, I hadn't many to start with.

It's the kids clothes I have problems with, I have a tendency to go to car boots and buy Blush

I was going to go tomorrow but not now as I cannot resist buying bargain clothes for them.

I keep trying to sort them but then I say, well this fits/is nice/new etc

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Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 01:01

I've just sorted bedding and towels. Some more things to add onto the charity shop pile. Ebayed everything that can be.

Furniture wise, I have a sofa and two chairs, and the sofa will not fit, not that it is huge, but more that the new living room is small.

Small table and two chairs, which will fit in the new kitchen. That is is for living room furniture.

Bedroom furniture.

My room - bed, desk, drawers. All can fit - Need to get a wardrobe for clothes as currently shoved in built in cupboard.

Ds's room - bed, wardrobe, drawers. should fit in new bedroom.

DD's room - Bed, drawers. Nothing else will fit in new room.

Kitchen wise I have to get a fridge freezer instead of the two seperate I already have. Ah and there is no pantry there Sad

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dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 05/12/2010 01:04

Is this an enforced move? You dont seem very excited about it? Maybe that is having an impact on you decluttering.

It does sound like you are doing a great job- are th rest of the family onboard and helping?

Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 05/12/2010 01:12

No no, not an enforced move. Actually looking forward to it but being messed about a little by the person I'm swapping with and she is yet to set a date, which makes things harder in a way.

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BikeRunSki · 05/12/2010 12:21

I moved 6 times in 4 years once. The biggest rule is - no room for nostalgia. Remember William Morris' maxim - "If it is not useful or beautiful, then don' keep it in your house", words to that effect anyway.

I will come round and do it for you if you are near by. I love decluttering and am brilliant at it (I am rubbish at many other things, but I am good at decluttering).

ChippingIn · 05/12/2010 12:22

Sorry I missed the lunchtime appointment Grin

Strange question as in... I have no idea what is in your house - there's no point in me saying 'Get rid of the elephant' if you don't have one Grin

It sounds like you are doing a great job of it anyway :)

Have you done the kitchen? I find that a good place for a declutter!

How far are you moving? How come you are moving?

dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 05/12/2010 12:45

You have spurred me on to declutter. A friend is over at mo so planning on roping her in but if any mumsnetters want to go to Cornwall to help me!

We are TTC so making getting rid of toys harder.

ChippingIn · 05/12/2010 13:30

I have just decluttered the garden!! The snow/ice/slush has just disappeared so I thought I should crack on before it snows again! I am wearing a bright red t-shirt and now my face matches it! I went out in fleece etc but stripped off pretty quick - it's hot work! Just need to go out and sweep/wash the patio now to remove the debris and pot marks and then we're all done for the winter!

dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 05/12/2010 19:37

Well done chippin.

I have just found out that we may be moving soon so need to step up the decluttering. Cleared two drawers in side board today and also sorted DVDS!

ChippingIn · 05/12/2010 22:06

Dietcoke - Thank God for that - I thought no-one was going to give me the much needed pat on the back!

When you say 'just found out...' are you a forces family?

Good start on the decluttering!

dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 05/12/2010 22:23

Not a forces family- meant we have been waiting to hear abouta house and looks like we may have it in new year.

I need to get out in garden too and pick up all the pots etc. Just can't find motivation!

DS is not going to recongise room when he returns home from his daddys tomorrow. All his "little people" sets have been put in attic aswell as lots other toys.

The books will take the next hit tomorrow.

OP I hope your declutering is going well.

Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 06/12/2010 15:36

Bike, I think you are actually quite close to me! Grin

Had the weekend off.

Going to start on the kitchen soon.

The thing is, it does not look like I have that much stuff. But I have!

Hope you get your new house dietcoke!!

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Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 06/12/2010 21:07

I'm moving to a different house now!!!!! Been offered a bigger one to the one I was being messed about with Grin

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dietcokesholidaysarecoming · 06/12/2010 21:22

How exciting. Keep up the good work though. Will make moving so much easier!

Original poster
ShittySnowyDays · 06/12/2010 21:36

Have done all the kitchen cupboards and drawers today. Filled two bin liners full of crap rubbish.

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