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I Tried the “Move-Out Method” for Decluttering—and My Home Has Never Looked Better

I write about home organization for a living—and this is the decluttering technique that works for me.

By 

Katie Holdefehr

 

 

Published on April 12, 2026

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Credit: 

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Key Takeaways

• The 'Move-Out Method' mimics the decluttering energy of a real move without actually moving, promising a tidier living space.
• Set a deadline, clear everything out, and decide what truly matters before moving back your essentials.
• For lingering clutter doubts, try the cardboard box test—if you don't miss it in months, it's time to let it go.

I have been writing about home decor and organizing for over a decade—but perhaps similar to a chef who can barely bring themselves to boil pasta when they get home, after a long day of writing about closet decluttering and kitchen organizing hacks, tidying up my own home is the last thing I want to do. That's why, when I finally found a decluttering method that motivated me, I figured it would likely work for others. (In fact, I felt so confident about the 'move-out method' of organizing that I even included it in my first home decor and organizing book, titled Embrace Your Space.)

Having lived in several rental apartments myself, I'm no stranger to a big move. And while each move was stressful and a ton of work, I became intimately familiar with the benefits of moving: Nothing will ever make you as ruthless of a declutter or as thorough of a cleaner as moving will. Realizing the motivational power of a big move, I decided to channel that energy into a decluttering strategy I could use any time I needed: say hello to the 'move-out method' of decluttering.

What Is the 'Move-Out Method' of Decluttering?

The good news is you don't actually have to call a moving company or order cardboard boxes to try out this technique: a little imagination and a deadline will do. Ready for a space that's not just clean but new-home clean? Follow the steps below to put the move-out method into practice.

1. Set a Move Date. Since you're not actually moving, this is just a deadline—but it's a strict deadline! Decide if you want to declutter the entire house or just one room (or even one closet) and set your move date accordingly.
2. Clear Everything Out. When you're moving, you're not just decluttering, but also packing everything up. To keep things authentic, start by removing every item. If you're organizing a drawer, start by taking everything out. Decluttering a closet? Pile everything on your bed first. Kids' toy chest? Dump it all on the floor.
3. Decide What to Take With You. Pick up each item and ask: Would I take this with me if I was moving? What about if I was moving to a much smaller home (think 500-square-feet small)? If you would go through the effort of packing it up, hauling it to the new home, unpacking it, and finding room for it—then it's worth its weight. Add it to the "keep" pile.
4. Let Go of the Rest. For anything that didn't make the cut but that's still in good condition, place it in a bag to donate. For broken, stained, or irreparable items, recycle them if you can and toss everything else.
5. Do a Quick Clean. It's pretty rare that every item is cleared from your pantry, dresser, or under-sink cabinet. So while you have the area empty, vacuum up any dust and wipe down the walls.
6. Move Back In. Now that you're down to only what you're keeping, it's time to move everything back in. But remember, this is your new home, so take your time folding shirts in your dresser or hanging dresses back in your closet. The end results should feel as though you hit reset on your home.

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Extra Tips

Stay Focused

When you're moving, there's a sense of urgency that keeps you motivated and helps you make quicker decisions about what to keep and what to toss. With that moving truck looming in the not-too-distant future, there isn't much time to deliberate. Channeling a similar energy can power you through the decluttering process. (But then take a deep breath and rejoice in the fact that you don't actually have to move at the moment.)

Try the Cardboard Box Test

Unless you're the type of person who unpacks the day they move in (I salute you), then you may be familiar with the fact that some of the items you packed will sit in a box for months, completely untouched, until you finally get around to unpacking them. But the fact that months went by and you never reached for those belongings is pretty telling. Maybe you don't need to keep them at all?

If there are items you're thinking about decluttering but are having a difficult time letting go, try this: pack them up in a cardboard box, write a date on the box (it can be three months from now or nine months from now) and set a calendar reminder for yourself on your phone or Alexa. When the day comes, if you haven't already needed to grab any of the items in the box, you can donate them without hesitation.

Break It Down

You don't have to declutter your entire house at once. Take it in chunks—the pantry one weekend, the bedroom closet another. Just set a time constraint for each space and keep the moving mentality in mind.

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