Moving is no easy feat. But when you consider all of the furniture, home décor and other miscellaneous items that take up space in the moving truck it’s enough to make your head spin. But packing for your move doesn’t mean you have to take anything and everything you own.
Instead, save yourself time (and a lot packing tape) by prioritizing the things you actually need. Here are ten things that you should definitely consider leaving behind.
1. The ice cream maker (and other rarely used kitchen appliances)
Image: Williamssonoma.com
I know you had every intention of impressing your family with your homemade ice cream making skills, but that dusty ice cream maker is going to cause a bigger headache to move then it’s worth. Take stock of the kitchen appliances that you actually use on a regular basis. Make it even easier to decide which cooking tools you actually need by jotting down the the appliances you use when cooking for a two-week period.
There’s no need to dedicate the effort to pack that bread maker, lemon squeezer, herb zester, or whatever other contraptions you have if it’s simply going to clutter your brand new kitchen.
2. Wall mounted televisions and associated hardware
Image: Mydomaine.com
It might seem strange to leave behind an electronic, but consider the trouble it will cause to try and take your TV off the wall. Unless you’ve bought the TV and associated hardware in the last year, it’s probably cheaper to buy a new set up in your next home.
Besides, do you want to take the risk of cracking or dropping the TV in the moving process? Worse, you can do significant damage to your walls that the next homeowner will expect you to repair.
3. The NordicTrack you always meant to find time for but never did
Image: NordicTrak.com
I know that you were ready to step up your work out routine and get those rock hard abs. But the truth is that these bulky machines are a pain in the neck to pack, especially in a tight moving truck. Worse, the higher-end machines are often quite fragile and can be easily damaged during a move.
Besides, aren’t you going to try joining the gym in your neighborhood anyway?
4. Curtains and shades (we both know they won’t fit your new windows, no matter how hard you try)
Image: Pinterest
Of all the items you need to pack, curtains and shades should not be anywhere on your list. Sure, you love your grey curtains and premium faux wood blinds, but it’s unlikely that they will fit in your new windows. Be honest, you also probably don’t have all the hardware that came with the original assembly box.
Give your new home décor a fresh start and offer your curtains and shades to the new homeowners. Most likely they will be ecstatic to have window coverings when they first move in even if it’s not their style.
5. Clothing that no longer fits (or shouldn’t be seen in public)
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We all have that one outfit that just shouldn’t be worn ever, ever again. Now is the time to refresh your wardrobe and sort through the outfits that should not take up space in your new closet. Go ahead and try it on.
If you have time, why not invite your friends over to take a look at what you’re not planning to take? Not only will your friends be appreciative for some new clothes, but you will save yourself a few (or a lot) of unnecessary boxes.
6. Worn or mismatched towels and sheets (new house, new linens!)
Image: Pinterest
Your hand towels have probably seen their fair share of guests. Don’t rely on worn or mismatched towels to decorate your brand new space. A fresh set of linens or towels is an inexpensive and easy way to give your new bathroom a quick facelift.
Rather than tossing your old towels into the trash, see if your local animal shelter is in need of towels. Most shelters will be ecstatic to take them.
7. Expired foods/cosmetics/toiletries (really now, its about time)
Image: Pinterest
These seem like obvious items to leave behind, but you’d be surprised by how many homeowners will take their expired food, cosmetics, or items into their brand new home. While you’re cleaning out your cabinets and drawers, take a second to glance at the expiration date.
Are you actually going to need that bottle of ranch dressing that expired six months ago? Most likely, no!
8. Paperwork pertaining to the home you are selling (save time and space, and make your buyer happy at the same time)
Image: BHG.com
Of course, documents that are pertinent to your home are something that you’ve probably kept safely tucked away. But you’re moving. Make your buyers happy by organizing and supplying these documents to them before you leave. Not only will they appreciate having more information about the home, but you won’t clutter your new office before you even move in.
If you’re unsure which documents are important to keep, consult a trusted advisor who can help you identify which documents you should hold onto.
9. Furniture that won’t fit into your new place (you know you wanted to replace that tired sofa anyway!)
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We’ve all seen the couples on HGTV who take one look at a prospective home and say, “We can’t live here. This space isn’t big enough for our couch.” Yes, it’s true that it’s hard (and really expensive) to change the blueprint of a home. But that doesn’t mean that you should expect all of your furniture to fit into your new place.
Take time to measure out your new space and determine which pieces of your furniture will actually fit. Once you determine how you want to layout your new home, you can then decide which pieces of furniture are worth moving and which are worth selling or donating.
10. Anything else you actually forgot you owned until you started packing
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You’ve probably accumulated more than just memories in your current home. While you can take your beloved memories with you into your new home, the stuff that’s been hidden away in closets, under beds, and all the other nooks and crannies of your home should not come with you.
Make your new home a true fresh start by ensuring that these unnecessary items don’t end up in your new space.
