It’s pretty normal to accumulate belongings over time, and the longer you live in one spot, the more stuff tends to pile up. Moving to another home naturally forces some purging, asking you to consider what’s actually worth hauling miles across the city or country.
That’s the philosophy behind the “move out” method for decluttering—and an actual move doesn’t have to be on the horizon for it to work.
What is the “Move Out” Method?
The “move out” decluttering method asks you to very seriously imagine you’re about to move into another home and to choose what items stay and go. The concept was coined by home organizing editor Katie Holdefehr, who says you should give yourself a hard deadline (an imaginary “move out” date, if you will), and then contemplate one item at a time.
You can go room by room, cabinet by cabinet, or commit to a single space. For any item that doesn’t make the cut, that’s a signal it’s time to part ways.
Why It Works
Imagining an actual move out changes your psychological approach, asking you to determine whether a particular item is actually worth the stress and hassle of completely relocating.
“I really like the move-out method because it's realistic and gets straight to the point,” says Olivia Parks, owner and lead organizer at Professional Organizers Baton Rouge. “If you were moving into your dream home tomorrow and wouldn't even consider packing certain items, why are you keeping them in the first place?”
She says it's a great way to figure out what you actually use, need, and value in your home versus what's just sitting around taking up space.
“Overall, it's a really helpful way to look at your belongings from a different perspective and figure out what's actually worth keeping,” she says.
Pros & Cons
One downside is that this benefit can feel a little rushed, especially when it comes to sentimental belongings or items you may need more time to think about.
“My biggest tip would be to think about what you would realistically need in your new home, not just what you'd want to bring,” Parks advises. “You don't want to get rid of something useful only to turn around and have to buy it again.”
She also recommends starting with one room or category at a time and giving yourself extra time to make decisions about sentimental items.
Wendy Rose Gould is a lifestyle journalist who routinely contributes to Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Women’s Health, and House Beautiful, among others. She covers home and garden, wellness, and travel, focusing on thoughtful storytelling and detailed reporting. When not writing, you can catch her perusing thrift stores, singing, hitting the gym, and petting any cat or dog that'll allow it.
