Why Organizing Before You Renovate or Move Will Save Your Sanity (and Maybe Your Wallet)

You know that moment when you're halfway through packing and you find a waffle iron you haven't seen since the Obama administration? Or when your contractor asks where your bathroom supplies are and you realize they’re buried under three years of "maybe I'll need this" stuff?

Yeah. We’ve all been there.

Whether you're planning a full-on HGTV-style renovation or packing up for a new zip code, getting organized first can make everything easier, faster, cheaper, and much less stressful.

Let’s talk about why—and sprinkle in some stats to convince your inner procrastinator.

1. You’ll Save Time

According to the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), we spend an average of one year of our lives looking for lost or misplaced items. That’s 365 days of “Where’s my tape measure?”

By decluttering and organizing before a move or renovation, you're not just finding stuff—you’re reclaiming time. That’s more hours to do fun things like argue over paint swatches or pretend you understand the IKEA manual.

2. You’ll Spend Less

Did you know that Americans spend $2.7 billion every year replacing lost items, including $370 million on misplaced glasses alone?

Now imagine you're renovating the kitchen and can't find your spare tools or you move and end up buying duplicates of everything because you couldn't find what you already had. Organizing helps you see what you actually own—so you're not buying your third salad spinner or fourth power drill.

3. You’ll Make the Process Easier

Renovations and moves are chaotic enough. Add a mountain of random cables, mystery boxes, and expired cans of beans and you’ve got a recipe for serious stress.

Having a well-organized space means:

✅ Contractors can access the right areas faster.

✅ Movers know what goes where.

✅ You can breathe instead of scream into a pillow.

4. You’ll Stress Less

A study from UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives of Families found that clutter has a profound effect on our mood, particularly in women, leading to higher cortisol (a.k.a. the stress hormone). That’s right! Your junk drawer is low-key gaslighting you.

Decluttering before the chaos of renovation or a move helps create mental clarity in the middle of physical chaos.

5. Bonus: You Might Even Make Money

Garage sale, anyone? Online marketplace? If you're letting go of things you don't need, you might end up padding your renovation budget or covering some moving costs.

One person’s “Why did I ever buy this fondue set?” is another person’s “Omg I’ve always wanted one!”

Organizing before a big change might feel like one more thing on your to-do list, but it’s a game-changer. Less stuff means less packing, less stress, and fewer surprise purchases later. Plus, you might find that missing TV remote, that long-lost favorite sweater, or even a little peace of mind.

So give me a call, and let’s sort it out together! We might even have a little fun along the way!