Perhaps your children have headed off to college, and you're ready to downsize. Or maybe your family is growing, and you need more space. Whatever your circumstances, clutter can make the thought of moving feel overwhelming.

After years—or even decades—of accumulating belongings, decluttering your home may seem like a daunting task. But it doesn't have to be! With a little planning, patience, and the right approach, decluttering can be a rewarding and even liberating experience.

Whether you're preparing to sell your home, planning a move, or simply looking to create a more organized living space, these practical tips will help you get started.

Sell Unused Furniture

Remember that couch you bought for your first apartment? Or the dining room set you purchased when you got married? If you still have furniture from years ago, ask yourself one simple question: Do I still use it?

Chances are, some of the furniture you've accumulated over the years is simply taking up valuable space. Whether it's sitting in your basement, a guest bedroom, or a storage unit, furniture you no longer use could be worth selling.

Fortunately, selling unwanted furniture is easier than ever. Online platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist make it convenient to connect with potential buyers in your area. I personally prefer Facebook Marketplace because it's user-friendly and allows you to reach a large local audience.

Start by taking clear, well-lit photos of the furniture you want to sell. Write an accurate description, include measurements and any noticeable wear, and set a reasonable asking price. If you don't receive much interest after a week or two, consider adjusting the price.

Remember, the goal isn't necessarily to recover what you originally paid. Even if you sell an old dining table for a fraction of its purchase price, you're still earning extra money while clearing valuable space.

Not only can selling unused furniture make your move easier and potentially reduce moving expenses, but it can also help your home feel more spacious, organized, and welcoming to potential buyers.

Helpful Hint: Don't stop at furniture! Once you've had some success selling larger items, consider listing smaller belongings such as kitchen appliances, electronics, video game consoles, and other household items you no longer need.

Donate Old Clothes and Household Goods

Let's face it: Some items simply aren't worth selling, whether because of their condition, resale value, or the time it would take to find a buyer. Clothing, household goods, and home décor are great examples of items that may be better suited for donation.

Take a moment to look through your closet. Chances are, you have clothes you wear regularly, outfits reserved for special occasions, and a few pieces you've been holding on to just in case. If you haven't worn something in over a year, consider whether you truly need it. If it's still in good condition but no longer serves a purpose, donating it could give it a second life.

The same approach applies to household goods and home décor. Perhaps you still have an old kitchen appliance tucked away in a cabinet, even though you've already replaced it with a newer model. Or maybe you're holding on to extra dishes, decorative pieces, or other belongings you rarely use.

Ask yourself: Do I use it? Do I need it? Does it still bring value to my home?

If the answer is no, it may be time to let it go.

Take a look around your home, too. Are there old pictures, posters, curtains, or decorations you've kept simply because you don't know what else to do with them? Removing items that no longer fit your style can help create a cleaner, more organized, and inviting space.

Donating gently used belongings not only makes decluttering easier but also gives those items an opportunity to benefit someone else. It's a simple way to clear space while giving back to your community.

Helpful Hint: Some nonprofit organizations, including Volunteers of America locations, may offer donation pickup services depending on your area and the items being donated. Check with local organizations to confirm availability, accepted items, and scheduling requirements before arranging a pickup.

Dispose of Unwanted Items Responsibly

Sometimes, the best way to declutter is to let go of items that are no longer usable, safe, or suitable for donation. While organizations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army welcome many gently used belongings, donating damaged or unusable items can create additional sorting and disposal costs.

Before donating, take a moment to consider whether an item is clean, functional, and in acceptable condition. If it isn't, look into appropriate disposal or recycling options.

Here are some common household items that may not be suitable for donation:

• Clothing with significant holes or stains: Consider textile recycling when available.

• Used underwear: Most donation centers prefer new, unused underwear. Check the organization's guidelines before donating.

• Broken or outdated electronics: Take these to an appropriate electronics recycling facility rather than placing them in regular household trash.

• Books in poor condition: Recycle damaged books when accepted by your local recycling program. Books in good condition may be suitable for donation.

• Partially used candles: Check whether the container can be reused or recycled, and dispose of remaining wax appropriately.

• Opened or expired personal care products: Items such as makeup and sunscreen may not be accepted for donation. Follow product and local disposal guidelines.

• Games and puzzles with missing or broken pieces: Consider recycling usable components when possible.

• Unwanted promotional items: Reuse or recycle plastic cups, Frisbees, drink holders, and similar items when accepted locally.

• Used mattresses: Donation options are often limited. Check local mattress recycling or disposal services.

• Large appliances: Refrigerators, ovens, washers, and dryers may be eligible for appliance recycling or special collection services.

• Infant car seats and cribs: Check current safety standards, expiration dates, and recall information. Some items may qualify for specialized recycling programs.

There are also plenty of everyday items around your home that may be taking up unnecessary space. Consider sorting through the following:

• Old paint: Donate usable paint where accepted or follow local household hazardous waste disposal guidelines.

• Empty product boxes: Recycle cardboard packaging you no longer need, unless you're keeping it for a warranty, return, or upcoming move.

• Unused plastic and wire hangers: Reuse, donate where accepted, or check for specialized recycling options.

• Old magazines: Recycle them if your local recycling program accepts them.

• Expired food: Dispose of spoiled or unsafe food properly, and recycle packaging when possible.

• Children's artwork and school projects: Keep meaningful favorites, consider photographing others, and recycle unwanted paper items.

• Outdated financial documents: Review applicable record-retention requirements before discarding bank statements, bills, or tax-related documents. Shred documents containing sensitive personal information.

Helpful Hint: Before throwing anything away, check your local waste collection and recycling guidelines. Certain items, including electronics, paint, household chemicals, and appliances, may require special handling.

Decluttering responsibly can help you create a cleaner, more organized home while reducing unnecessary waste and supporting your community.

Pack What You Don’t Need Before the Move

Once you’ve sold, donated, and thrown away everything you don’t need, your home will look significantly better! But there’s always room for improvement. The next step is to pack away everything you love, but don’t necessarily need to use before you move.

This includes seasonal clothes, kitchenware for special events, etc. If you’re not going to miss it between now and the move, then start packing early and get it out of the way. Store it neatly in your basement, garage, or a storage cube if necessary.

Not only will this remove extra clutter from your home, but it will also give you a head start on packing.

Helpful Hint: When in doubt, throw it out! Or in this case, pack it away. If you’re hesitant to pack something up, just remember you may be able to borrow the same item from a friend or neighbor if you find you need it before your move.

Put Everyday Items Into Mobile Boxes & Caddies

One of the most common pain points people have when selling their home is trying to keep it clean for showings, while still maintaining a semi-normal lifestyle. One strategy to help this is to setup boxes and caddies for commonly used items.

You can have multiple caddies for your toiletries, pet goods, coffee supplies, and even kid’s toys. These should be small, simple boxes of your essentials that can quickly be tucked away when a showing is scheduled.

The goal is to get clutter off your countertops, and into a discrete box. It’s easier to move a box than to clear off your counters, isn’t it?

One Room at a Time

Okay, so you now you know what you need to do, now what? Perhaps the task still feels a bit daunting so it’s time to put a plan together. One such plan is called one room at a time.

Start with some low-hanging fruit. Maybe a spare bedroom or bathroom. Then work your way into the dining room, kitchen, and living room. After you knock out a couple rooms, you’ll be a bona-fide expert in de-cluttering, ready to take on some larger projects such as the basement, garage, or even your son’s closet!

One Item Per Day

Another strategy I often recommend is called one item per day. This is especially useful for people who don’t have a lot of time, or have a difficult time purging their belongings all at once.

Focusing on one item per day is simple enough for anyone. Just find one tee-shirt, bowl, or picture frame to get rid of, and repeat the task daily. In just over three months, you’ll have de-cluttered 100 items from your life. Your home will look much better, and you’ll begin to feel liberation from some of the stuff that’s been holding you down for all these years.