If you’re about to undergo a major renovation – congratulations! Even though a home makeover can involve a lot of time, money, and upheaval, it will be worth it to get the end result. Before the work begins, however, there’s one important task you need to take care of: decluttering your home. This article will teach you how to clear your space quickly and efficiently so that you can focus on your renovation without any distractions.
Put Things In Storage
With some home makeovers, it’s simply a case of moving stuff from one room to another while the work is being done. If your home is getting a major renovation, however, it may be that all of your belongings need to be moved out. Additionally, you may not have sufficient time to sort through all of your stuff (decluttering) beforehand. In both these scenarios, it’s best to put your belongings in some type of paid offsite storage.
Self-storage units allow you to access your possessions whenever you need to, i.e. 24 hours a day. You may have several options, including storage lockers and storage rooms, or both. Offsite storage units are typically climate-controlled, meaning your belongings will be protected from extremes in temperature. The internet can help you find a storage unit for renting and the whole process can be fast, cheap, and easy. Specialist websites can help you find storage locally, compare facilities, and book online.
Decide What To Keep Or Throw Away
This process can be difficult, but it’s important to be brutal with yourself and only keep the things you really need or love. If you’re not sure, take inventory of everything in each room and then decide which things will stay (and where) or go – based on how often they’ve been used in the last two years.
The decluttering process may take some time, but it will be worth it when you’re finished. You’ll have much less stuff to deal with after the renovation and the whole process will go more smoothly.
Donate Unwanted Items That Are In Good Condition
They could include:
- clothes that don’t fit anymore
- toys that your children have grown out of but still work well enough for someone else’s kids
- books that aren’t read very often (but might get more use elsewhere)
- electronic devices such as old smartphones and tablets, etc.
It may be that you have other friends who’d love to have some of these things, especially if they have children. You could also take them to charity shops, such as the Salvation Army or Oxfam. Some charity shops might even collect from your home if there is too much stuff for you to transport yourself (or if it’s too large).
Sell Your Unwanted Stuff
eBay is an online auction and shopping website where people buy and sell a variety of items (e.g. clothes, furniture, electronics, cars). When you list an item, you set a price that you want to receive for it. If someone buys it, they will pay that price plus shipping costs. You will then be responsible for sending the item to the buyer. Customers will post reviews about you as a seller (which could affect you in the future) so be realistic about the condition of your goods beforehand and dispatch them promptly.
A yard sale is an informal event in which goods are sold from the seller’s home (typically an owner’s driveway, backyard, or front yard). Sellers can advertise their yard sales through classified ads, online listings services such as Craigslist or eBay Garage Sale, word-of-mouth, or by putting up signs on street corners. You could also use social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to spread the word about your sale. Be sure to include clear directions (including a map), the date and time of your sale, what you’re selling, and your contact information.
Item Disposal
You may need to take some things to the landfill, and you might even need a dumpster if you’re throwing away a lot of bulky items. If so, it might be a good idea to look into large dumpsters for rent in your local area to help you dispose of the large quantity of your unwanted items. Be sure to take things to the local recycling center where appropriate, and dispose of toxic waste responsibly (e.g. batteries, paint, etc.). Some people choose to upcycle some of their possessions rather than throw them away, but this will only work if you have sufficient time.
Hopefully, you have found this article helpful and now know how to proceed. Once you’ve disposed of all your clutter, you’ll be all set for the exciting next phase. Before you know it, your home will be renovated and look more amazing than ever before.
