The average American household has 300,000 items. With so many items around your home, the idea of getting organized for a move can be daunting! Not to mention having to choose which sentimental items won’t be making it into your new home.
Key Takeaways
- Light bulbs and fixtures
- Old clothing
- Appliances
- Garage items
- Blinds and curtains
- CDs and DVDs
- Leftover paint
When preparing to relocate, going through the items you own is a crucial step. Knowing what to sell, pack, or leave behind can save you some much-needed time, effort, and space.
Keep reading, and we’ll share seven items that you should leave behind if you have a move coming up.
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#1. Light Fixtures
Moving is a delicate balance between a past life and an upcoming adventure. And in the midst of it all, you need to be able to strategically package all that you own into cardboard boxes. It’s not as easy as it seems!
Plus, if you’re like the average American, you probably own a lot of stuff. And hoarding a plethora of items is likely to make moving more challenging than it needs to be.
The Importance Of Letting Go
Getting rid of certain items is the first step in setting yourself up for a successful move. If you have less stuff to pack and transport, you’ll be able to free up a vast amount of time and energy. Plus, it’ll make it so you have more space on the moving truck!
However, parting ways with personal property is much easier said than done. Emotional attachment or a belief you’ll “maybe someday need it” are common reasons why you’re not quite ready to let go of some items.
How Do I Purge My House For Moving?
It’s likely that most of the stuff you have, you could do without. To purge your home before moving, it’s important to leave no stone unturned.
Start with rooms that are less often used. Tackle things like seasonal decor or what’s stuffed in the back of your closet. However, the mindset you carry with you is what will truly save you.
Be intentional about what you want to keep. Consider what you actually need rather than what you “someday might” need. If you haven’t felt the need to use a certain item in the past month, it’s likely safe to get rid of it.
A Great Place To Begin
Most of the time, figuring out what to leave behind when moving is a personal journey. It’s hard to say for certain what some people should leave behind versus others.
No one knows your life and situation better than yourself, so always consider your unique needs!
However, there are some items that almost everyone shouldn’t take with them if moving. Not only will leaving these items behind streamline the moving process, but they also might make the new homeowners of your old house happy!
It’s Best To Leave It Light
Something you should likely never take with you are light fixtures. The new owners of your house likely expect all these things to stay intact, and it’s not a good idea to remove them.
You should also leave light bulbs, as it’ll ensure the new homeowners won’t be stuck in darkness. Plus, light bulbs are a pain to travel with (cue the sound of broken glass.)
If you do decide that you can’t part ways with your precious chandelier or tastefully modern light fixture, be sure to let the real estate agent know before signing any sales contract. That way, the fixture will be able to be replaced with a new one before new owners arrive.
#2. Old Clothing
The average American family spends $1,700 on clothing each year. Odds are, your closet is full of old T-shirts and too-small jeans that have been hanging around for a bit too long.
Too often, people hang onto their clothes in hopes that one day they’ll fit again, be trendy again, or be worn again. But most of the time, none of these things will come true.
When you’re getting ready to move, your decluttering journey can often start in your closet. It’s a great place to find unwanted items that will be relatively easy to part ways with.
The first thing you should do is set aside clothes that simply don’t fit. It’s a no-brainer that you won’t be wearing these clothes anytime soon!
You can also set aside items that you haven’t worn in a long while. It’s safe to get rid of clothes that resemble the Y2K trends of the 2000s.
Instead of bringing old, mishappen clothes to your new home, get rid of them! You can either give them away to family members or friends that could put them to better use, donate them to a local charity or secondhand store, or even sell them online on sites like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
#3. Appliances
There are certain things in your home that should just stay where they are. In addition to light bulbs and fixtures, you should also leave behind any appliances.
Your new house likely already has them installed, and your old house would sorely miss them. Things like refrigerators, microwaves, ranges, hot water heaters, dishwashers, water softeners, and possibly the washer and dryer should all stay behind.
If you happen to hold onto the user manuals, don’t forget to leave those behind as well. Leave them near the corresponding items so that the new residents will be able to use them for ordering replacement parts, doing maintenance, and scheduling service calls.
If you’re curious about certain appliances, particularly small appliances, check if the new home you’ll be moving into already has them. Sometimes you may need to bring things like a washer, dryer, or microwave (if it’s a stand-alone.)
#4. Garage Items
If you’re moving out of a home with a garage and lawn, you’ve likely collected plenty of tools and outdoor equipment. In addition to these bulky and large items, your garage is also a great place for junk to accumulate over time.
You might be best off leaving large items like lawnmowers and other bulky lawn equipment behind.
Don’t Bring Dangerous Chemicals
Chemicals and other dangerous items should also be left behind or properly disposed of. This can include items like insect killers, fertilizer, and other harmful materials.
If you happen to have a lot of tools or items in decent shape that you don’t want to take with you, consider hosting a garage sale. You can also sell other items from inside your home to make some extra cash!
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#5. Blinds And Curtains
Leaving behind items will not only cut down on moving costs, but it will also save time. Fewer items mean less stuff to pack and handle. However, with the right moving company, you won’t need to worry about a thing!
The Movers Moving and Storage is the dream team you need by your side for your upcoming move if you happen to have a few too many personal belongings. Not only are we experts in packing fragile items, but our movers can also effortlessly lift that heavy furniture you’re nervous about.
Just A Little Less Stuff For That Moving Truck
Before moving, you must decide if you plan to take window coverings with you. Oftentimes, blinds and curtains should be left behind, as there’s no guarantee they’ll fit the windows of your new home.
Finding curtains that fit windows is already hard enough. So spare the new owners of your old home the hassle and just leave them there! It’ll be a nice gesture, and you’ll be able to save room on the truck in the meantime.
#6. CDs And DVDs
If you still have CDs and DVDs in 2023, it’s time for you to say goodbye to them. A huge CD collection isn’t really in anymore, so you’d be best off using this time to cut down on your outdated electronics.
In addition to your DVDs and CDs, you should also get rid of things like DVD players or a VCR. It’ll be easier (way easier) to go digital.
#7. Leftover Paint
If you spent some time renovating your home, you might have some old remodeling materials lying around. Leave behind old, partly-used paint cans, as the correct paint colors will correspond to the home they’re staying in.
Paint is already challenging to travel with (imagine if it spilled over your living room sofa…), but the colors likely won’t match your new home.
Wrapping Up
Though moving can be a challenging process, taking the right approach will make it a stress-free endeavor. Decluttering and leaving behind certain items will not only save you time and space, but it’ll leave you with a few fewer items to worry about!
When moving, it’s best to part ways with as much stuff as possible. Take into account your unique situation and leave behind what you can before hitting the road.
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The Movers Moving & Storage has been a family-owned and operated moving company for 40 years and across three generations. Serving areas in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Spring Hill, Lakeland, Wesley Chapel, Brandon, and Clearwater in Florida, our simple approach to moving has not changed since the day we opened. We treat our customers like family and their belongings like our own. For more moving facts and information, follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
