A move is actually quite simple: You pack everything up, drive it to the new flat, unpack. Done. In theory.
In practice, you're standing in your old flat two days before the move, surrounded by furniture that's not coming with you, and wondering where it should all go. I've been there, several times. It's not pleasant.
But there's a better way.
The Problem with Last-Minute Decluttering
The classic mistake -- and I've made it myself -- is starting too late. You think you still have time. Then the boxes come, the stress comes, and suddenly it's moving day and the old sofa is still there.
What happens next: Either you pay someone to collect it. Or you drag it to the street and hope nobody complains. Or -- the worst case -- you take it to the new flat even though you don't want it.
All of that is avoidable if you start early enough.
Four Weeks Before: The Inventory
As soon as you know you're moving, make a list. Walk through the flat and mark everything that's not coming with you. Be honest with yourself.
That sofa you thought you'd get re-upholstered? In three years you never did. It's not coming.
The wardrobe that never quite fit in the corner? Not coming.
The lamp you only bought because it was on sale? You know what I'm going to say.
Take photos of everything that needs to go. You'll need them later.
Three Weeks Before: Post Online
Now it gets real. Take your photos and list the items online. On PIKITUP, on Facebook groups, wherever you like.
The trick is: Not everything at once. Start with the big items -- furniture that takes up space and needs time to organise. A sofa doesn't get given away overnight. Someone has to see it, find the time, organise transport.
With three weeks' lead time, people can plan. That massively increases the chances that someone actually comes to collect.
What I did: I included the moving date in the description. "Collection possible until 28 February." That creates clarity and shows it's urgent -- but not desperate.
Two Weeks Before: Smaller Items
Now it's time for the things that go faster: Books, clothes, kitchen appliances, electronics. You can bundle these into boxes.
"Box of novels, about 30 books" often goes faster than thirty individual listings. People know they're getting a bundle, and it's less effort for you.
The same goes for clothes. "Men's shirts size M, 10 pieces" is more efficient than photographing each shirt individually.
One Week Before: What's Left
By now, most things should be gone. What remains needs more creative solutions.
One option: Pack everything together and offer it as "remaining items". "Various household items, must go before Saturday." Sometimes someone takes the lot because individual pieces are interesting.
Alternatively: Call second-hand shops. Most offer free collection for larger donations if you contact them early enough. Caritas, for example, has a collection service in many cities.
If nothing else works: Order a skip. It sounds drastic, but sometimes it's the only solution. Costs about 300-500 francs, but you've got the problem off your hands.
Moving Day Itself
Ideally, everything that should be gone is gone by now. You're only packing what you actually want.
If something is still left: Put it outside the door with a "Free" sign. In most cities this is tolerated, as long as it's not on the pavement and it's not raining. Often it's gone within hours.
But be careful: Don't just put rubbish out and hope for the best. That's illegal and antisocial. Only clean, usable items belong outside the door.
The Emotional Side
I don't want to pretend this is all purely logistical. Letting go of things is sometimes hard. This shelf has been with me through three flats. That sofa was bought with my ex.
But here's a thought that helped me: The memory isn't in the object. It's in you. The shelf can go, the memory stays.
And if someone else is now sitting on it, putting books on it, happy with it -- then the thing has a purpose. More purpose than gathering dust in your basement.
What I Learned from My Last Move
My last move was the most relaxed one I've ever had. Not because there was less to do, but because I was prepared.
I had six weeks' lead time and started sorting early. By the end, three large pieces of furniture and about ten boxes of smaller items were gone -- all given away, all collected by other people.
Moving day itself was almost anticlimactic. No stress, no surprises, no "where does this go?". Just loading boxes into the van and off we went.
I wish the same for you.
Quick Summary
Starting early is everything. Four weeks' lead time for large furniture, two weeks for smaller items. Post online with a clear collection deadline. Whatever's left goes to a second-hand shop or -- in an emergency -- a skip.
A move doesn't have to be chaos. With a bit of planning, you'll get rid of your old stuff, make other people happy, and do something for the environment.
And your new flat is already waiting.
Got tips for stress-free decluttering before a move? Write to me at hello@pikitup.ch