Anyone who has ever moved before knows the experience can be exciting, daunting, and a downright pain in the… neck. And just when you thought you had a handle on the packing process, you find yourself face to face with a particularly pesky challenge: the notorious “junk drawer.” You know the one — filled with random odds and ends that somehow accumulated over the years, even if you’re not exactly sure what they are.
Step back, deep breath, don’t sweat it. Like any other corner or crevice of your home, the junk drawer just requires some strategic planning and a bit (okay, probably a lot!) of decluttering.
While we’re standing by to do the dirty work for you with our professional packing services, we can offer some tips for those who want to DIY their junk drawer and pack it themselves. With any luck, these four tips will help you decide what to take, what to leave behind, and how best to pack the items you plan to keep.
Ready?
Tip 1: Evaluate the necessities
The first step in packing your junk drawer is to assess the items within it. Ask yourself questions with actionable answers, like:
- Do I use this item regularly?
- Does it hold sentimental value? (Hopefully not — it’s in the junk drawer!)
- Is it easily replaceable? (Hopefully, it’s in the junk drawer!)
Consider your answers and then categorize what stays and what goes. For instance items such as spare keys, pens, and tape measures may be deemed essential, while old receipts and broken trinkets can (and should) be discarded. Now is not the time to get sentimental about an old movie ticket.
Tip 2: Declutter with purpose
Once you’ve identified the essentials, it’s time to declutter with purpose. In other words, be ruthless. Set aside a designated area to sort through your items, making piles for things to keep, donate, recycle, or throw away. Here’s a good rule of thumb to help you — if you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are you won’t miss it. Remember, the goal is to streamline your belongings and only take what is truly necessary to your new home. Another tip? Think of yourself unpacking this on the other end.
Tip 3: Organize and contain
Once sorted, you get to organize everything. Consider investing in small containers, dividers, or organizers to keep similar items together and prevent clutter from accumulating in your new space. Drawer organizers with adjustable compartments are particularly useful for maximizing space and keeping things tidy. Be sure to label containers to easily identify their contents and maintain organization during the unpacking process. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!
Tip 4: Pack smart… and strategically.
Just like decluttering and organizing, packing requires its own strategy. Start by emptying your junk drawer completely and cleaning it out. Then, pack similar items together in labeled boxes or bins, taking care to wrap fragile items securely. Keep tried-and-true packing materials on hand, such as bubble wrap, packing paper, or foam peanuts to protect delicate items during transit. Though, we hope you haven’t been storing too many fragile or valuable objects in a junk drawer. Regardless, remember to fill any empty spaces in boxes to prevent items from shifting during the move. You’ve taken the time to organize and pack so nicely, you don’t want to open a mess when it’s time to unpack in your new abode.
Connect with CLR for all your packing challenges
Packing your junk drawer may seem like a daunting task — and for most people, it is, but with a little planning and organization, it can be made more manageable. By evaluating the necessities, decluttering with purpose, organizing effectively, and packing strategically, you can streamline the process and ensure a smooth transition to your new home. Now, roll up your sleeves, and tackle that junk drawer with confidence. Your future self will thank you for it! And don’t you love it when that happens?
Or, skip the hassle and contact us today!
