Preparing for a move presents the perfect opportunity to declutter and simplify your space. But as anyone who’s sorted through years of belongings knows, it’s not always easy—or quick. Deciding what to keep, toss, donate, or sell can take time, especially when you’re juggling moving logistics. That’s where temporary storage comes in.
Whether you’re moving locally or long distance, using storage during the decluttering process gives you flexibility, reduces stress, and helps ensure your new space starts out clean and organized. At Edson’s Movers, we help clients throughout Arizona use smart storage strategies to downsize with confidence. Here’s how to make it work for your next move.
Why Decluttering Is a Smart First Step
Before packing even begins, it’s crucial to evaluate what you actually want to take with you. Decluttering helps you:
- Reduce the cost of your move by minimizing load volume
- Avoid packing and unpacking items you no longer need
- Start fresh in your new home with less clutter
- Create more space for new furniture or design layouts
- Simplify the unpacking process after the move
But what if your move is on a tight deadline or you’re just not ready to part with certain things? That’s when storage becomes your secret weapon.
How Storage Supports the Decluttering Process
Storage gives you the flexibility to pause, prioritize, and make decisions at your own pace. Here’s how it supports the process:
1. Move Items You’re Unsure About
We all have items we’re not quite ready to get rid of—childhood keepsakes, inherited furniture, or boxes of paperwork. Placing them in storage allows you to:
- Clear them from your immediate space
- Reflect on their value over time
- Avoid rushed decisions you may regret
- Gradually sort through them when life is less hectic
This “soft decluttering” strategy takes the pressure off during the moving crunch.
2. Clear the Way for Packing
One of the biggest challenges of decluttering while packing is that you end up with piles of boxes and undecided items clogging your space. Instead, you can:
- Move packed boxes into storage as you go
- Keep your home functional and walkable
- Avoid having to pack everything all at once
- Stage your current home for sale more easily
This also helps families with young children or pets who need space to move safely around the house.
What Items Are Ideal to Declutter Into Storage?
While everyone’s move is different, here are common items that clients put into storage while decluttering:
Furniture
- Guest room or extra bedroom sets
- Dining tables that don’t fit your new layout
- Outdoor furniture during winter or off-season
Sentimental Items
- Childhood memorabilia
- Family heirlooms
- Artwork or antiques with uncertain placement
Seasonal Items
- Holiday decorations
- Summer/winter clothing
- Seasonal sports gear or tools
Paperwork and Documents
- Archived financial records
- Client files (for business owners)
- School records, diplomas, and certificates
These are things you likely don’t need immediately—but still want to protect.
Combine Decluttering and Moving With Professional Help
At Edson’s Movers, we simplify the decluttering process by handling both moving and storage for you. That means:
- We pack and pick up your items
- Transport them to our secure storage facility
- Keep them safe and climate-protected for as long as needed
- Deliver them when you’re ready—whether to your new home, office, or elsewhere
You don’t have to coordinate multiple vendors or rent your own storage unit. It’s all part of one seamless service.
Storage Helps With Downsizing and Staging Too
If you’re selling your home before moving, decluttering is especially important. Buyers are more attracted to clean, open spaces that allow them to envision their own belongings in the home.
With storage, you can:
- Remove personal or excess items for staging
- Store bulky furniture that makes rooms feel smaller
- Reduce clutter on countertops and shelves
- Keep closets half-full to show off storage potential
This often leads to faster sales—and sometimes even higher offers.
Storage Buys You Time to Donate, Sell, or Rehome
Decluttering often involves deciding what to:
- Donate to local charities
- Sell online or at a garage sale
- Pass down to family or friends
But if your moving timeline is short, you may not have time to do all this before the truck arrives. With storage, you can:
- Place items aside until you’re ready to donate or sell them
- Organize items into “keep,” “decide later,” and “donate” categories
- Make informed choices instead of panicked ones
- Schedule sales or drop-offs when you’re settled post-move
This is especially helpful if you’re waiting for an estate plan, new home renovations, or a family member to claim certain items.
Short-Term or Long-Term: Use What You Need
We offer both short-term and long-term storage options to fit your situation. Use short-term storage to:
- Bridge the gap between home closings
- Hold items during a renovation
- Store packed boxes before move-in day
Or, opt for long-term storage if:
- You’re moving into a smaller space
- You’re keeping items for future use
- You’re managing an estate or combining households
- You want to preserve valuable or sentimental items
Our team can help you choose the best option based on volume, timeline, and storage needs.
How to Make the Most of Your Declutter + Store Strategy
To use storage effectively during a move:
- Sort items into categories (keep, store, donate, toss) early
- Use labeled, stackable bins or boxes for easy access
- Keep an inventory list of stored items
- Group items by priority—things to store long-term vs. things you may need soon
- Take photos for insurance and reference
- Partner with movers who offer integrated storage services
The more organized your decluttering strategy, the easier your move—and your post-move life—will be.
Decluttering before a move doesn’t have to mean parting with everything right away. Storage offers a smart, flexible solution for lightening your load without the stress of immediate decisions. It’s a practical bridge between your current life and your next chapter.
Need help decluttering before your move? Contact us to learn how Edson’s Movers makes moving—and storing—simple and stress-free.
