Nothing lights a fire under your arse like making a public proclamation that you’re going to get rid of 100 things. So even though we’re not moving until mid-December, we made our way from room to room paring down every single thing that we don’t love/need/use. The mantra as we went? No mercy. Because nothing is worse than packing, moving, and unpacking things that aren’t worth the time they took to transport or the space they’re eating up in the new place.
Here’s our getting-rid-of-it office pile:
Then we tackled the kitchen (Clara helped):
Here’s our outgoing kitchen pile (what you don’t see are a bunch of baskets and towels on the floor):
And here’s our den’s see-ya-later pile (cry not for the board games, they were doubles so we still have a copy of each one):
Our garage to-go pile:
Our basement done-zo pile:
And our big bedroom buh-bye pile (minus the baby and the dog of course- they stay):
And now for the full list of purged items:
- 11 pairs of shoes (10 of mine, one of John’s)
- 36 books (10 of which were cookbooks)
- 10 video tapes & DVDS
- 1 alarm clock
- 1 computer mouse
- countless padded envelopes & mailing tubes (from the days of our online print shop)
- 6 board games (some of which we had two identical versions, so we got rid of one)
- 2 yoga mats
- 1 radio
- 1 stocking
- 2 faux pumpkins
- 1 lamp
- 4 pillows
- 1 mirror
- 5 frames
- 54 items of clothing (including coats, hats, ties, tees, jeans, shirts, socks, etc)
- 4 plastic plates
- 6 ceramic plates
- 1 power screwdriver
- 4 outdoor chairs
- 2 welcome mats
- 1 rug
- 2 baskets of faux plants (they lived in the not-sunny-enough-for-real-plants basement)
- 1 floor lamp
- 4 plant pots
- 6 garden hooks
- 1 stencil
- 1 frisbee
- 4 old quarts of paint
- 2 buckets
- 2 metal tins (we came up with a new diaper & wipe disposal system- more details soon)
- 1 sprinkler
- 1 trash can
- 1 fabric basket
- 1 dark wicker basket
- 5 bath towels
- 1 nursing cover
- 8 baby toys & feeding supplies
- 4 glass cups
- 3 vases
- 4 pieces of faux fruit
- 8 wine glasses
- 8 mugs
- GRAND TOTAL: 222 items
Saweeeeeeeet. I mean on one hand it’s kind of embarrassing to admit that we were storing all that excess but boy does it feel good to get rid of it. Yup, that’s right. It’s all out of our house already – thanks to donating and selling every last item (we had an impromptu moving sale this weekend while we still had some steam and that no mercy attitude). We feared if things sat around for a while before we had a chance to donate or sell them we might have changed our minds and kept things that we didn’t need. And you know I have the patience of a 5 year old, right? More of those get-it-gone details coming soon.
What have you guys been purging? Have you identified any problem areas? We definitely held onto lots of books and clothes that we had no need for, but we were also surprised how many unnecessary kitchen items we were hoarding (many of which we had used exactly zero times).
Andrea says
UM, please can you send me that lamp! I’ve been looking all over for another one :)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Andrea & Cynthia,
So sorry! It’s already all gone as we mentioned in the post!
xo,
s
Cynthia says
You should totally do a sale here on some of that stuff. I’d buy something!
I really need to purge too though. We have tons of books and I just can’t bare to part with them. Plus we collect toys (not for kids but for keepsake) and so that makes our house so much more fuller!
Begoña says
I’m amaze about how you American people need to get rid of stuff to make more space for new stuff. This is not so common in Europe but I think our houses are smaller and you know, the bigger your house is, the more crap you can store! Anyway, good for you!
fd says
wow, i need decluttering help!
i felt stressed on your behalf looking at all the things you were throwing away that you might need in the future. i wanted to rescue you from your folly and make you keep them.
i’m calling the psychiatrist now.
and maybe buying myself a few large heavy duty trash bags…
Carol N. says
We are purging in anticipation of a remodel. Our home is fairly big (4400 sq. ft) and we have managed to fill it up. So we are trying to be ruthless and clean out a ton of stuff. I have four boxes of clothes to donate and got rid of 15 pair of shoes. Amazing that I had that much ‘stuff’ in the closets! Now it looks so much better and this week I plan on organizing it by color so may find even more things to get rid of! Books are the next thing to be purged.
sunny says
Seven bottles of nail polish.
so much, right?!
That is just the latest in a round of paring down possessions at home in an attempt to live with just what I need and love.
Yesterday as I brushed my teeth I noticed a tin holding a lot of nail polishes. I sorted through them, noticed most were deep reds/pinks of a similar tone – and took a bag of all but one clear polish and my current wine colored polish to church with me and gave away all the extra polishes. The teens who got them were happy and I was thrilled to have less in my apartment. Win-win.
BUT now that I’ve seen your impressive 222 items gone from your home, I must dig deeper and find more to give away!
Andrea says
Wow! Great job!
Can you please send me that lamp though? I’ve been looking all over for another one…seriously?!!
[email protected]
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Andrea,
As we mentioned in the post, we already sold and donated everything you see in the pics this weekend. So sorry, it’s gone!
xo,
s
JoDi says
I was inspired by your goal and started getting rid of 100 things this weekend! I’m up to about 25 items so far, and my goal is to reach 100 by the end of November.
I can’t believe how much you guys found to purge. Your house seems so clutter free already!
Jenn says
222 items and you got to keep Burger and Clara!(that picture and it’s commentary cracked me up… twice!)Haha great job! That being said, i’m off to finish the project I posted to get me motivated =) Showing everyone my sloppy, never-organized closet was def going out on a limb… yuck! Let’s hope it doesn’t suck!
xoXOxo
Jenn L @ Peas & Crayons
Caitlin says
Good work, you guys! I grew up in a household with too much stuff, and then had a few experiences of extended travel as a young adult that made me realize I could by get by with far, far fewer possessions and be just fine. Now my hubby and I love to do a good “purge” of the household at least twice a year, and do smaller ones whenever the urge strikes. We only have 700 sq ft so clutter piles up fast!
Even more than getting our space back and knowing that we are sending our belongings on to someone who can use them more than us, I love the effect that this practice has had on my SHOPPING. I am much more mindful about what I bring into our home now and whether I really want to store, clean, move, and maintain it.
And you’re totally right that not all clutter is in the closet. Kitchen wares, cleaning products, old make-up, office supplies, books, linens, gift wrap– needless possessions are everywhere!
Michelle Kersey says
You scared me with the board games!!! :) Glad they were duplicates!
I just went through my closet and got rid of… oh, I have no clue, but a garbage bag stuffed full of clothes! I had an appraiser come to my house so I wanted to have it as neat as possible.
Oh yeah… do you all water your mulch before showings? I did that before my appraisal because wet mulch is so much more colorful!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Michelle,
We actually didn’t but it’s a great idea! Ours was fresh and it was the color retaining stuff, so it still looks pretty good!
xo,
s
Emily says
I need that lamp but it’s probably already gone. You’ve inspired me to start going through my house, but I’m only up to about 30 items. I’m also using up my fabric stash instead of accumulating more. I think that must count for something. ;)
Amber Lee D. says
We had to clean out my hubby’s closet to get into the attic. So it was the great purge of 2010! We have already gotten rid of three garbage bags of clothes (don’t worry they were dontated) and two garbage bags of papers that were cluttering up his desk. My daughter also got a new bed so anything that fit her old twin size bed has also been dontated and now it is time to sell the old frame. I also got a new winter coat this weekend so the old coat is going to be donated and my boys outgrew 3 suits recently so we gave them to a family with smaller boys.
Even after all this is gone I still feel that we can get rid of some more. I am going to get ruthless like you. Can’t wait!
Catherine says
Wow I am so crushed that this wasn’t mentioned. Your address has been pretty wide open since the sale of your house and your readers have been pretty respectful so far.
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Catherine,
As bloggers we share a lot, but one thing we have vowed never to share on our site (for obvious reasons) is our address. And posting that we’re having a moving sale without sharing those details seemed like a big tease (especially since it was so last minute). Of course if people wanted to hunt down our address for the brief few weeks that our house was for sale if they dug deeply on other sites they could find it, but it was never mentioned on ours. And I guess if people wanted to dig deeply they could have found our moving sale this weekend (we did advertise it on Craiglist). So sorry you’re crushed, but we have to draw the line somewhere I guess! Especially with such a precious baby and pooch around. Hope you understand! Had we listed things online or consigned them somewhere local we definitely would have shared those details.
xo,
s
Krystal says
Wow, what a purge! I did a lot of my purging before I moved into my apartment (who knew going from one 21×18 bedroom to 700 sq. feet would require so much purging?!) and I like to have a little “mini-purge” after big exams where I go through my notes and study materials and keep only what I KNOW I will need again for finals or future classes.
One problem I have during my purging process is that whenever I try to throw things away or donate them, my crazy pack rat mother will try to sneak things back in. She even went to Goodwill once to buy my stuff back! haha. Also, I have about 10 dance uniforms and 28 dance camp outfits from my 4 years on my high school team that I have no idea what to do with…I know I’m never going to wear them again, but who’d really want an orange and green Wheeler Bearcat unitard? I’ve thought about framing my most precious uniforms, but am still looking for ways to repurpose the rest. Ideas? Anyone? Or is it just time to say a tearful good-bye?
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe take pics of everything, and put your favorite item or two in a shadow box?
xo,
s
Loren says
Good for you guys!
I never seem to have a problem finding things to get rid of (even in my ~500sqft apartment) but I can never actually seem to get them out of my house. I’m more impressed with your quick disposal than anything else. I have a HUGE ‘donate/trash day’ pile but I always put it off. I also have a terrible habit of thinking ‘I bet I can reuse this some other way’ (even when it REALLY is junk).
Wendy says
I recently purged my closets and scheduled an appointment with the Vietnam Veteran’s of American pick up service online. They come right to your door and they take almost anything! You don’t have to be at home and they leave a tax receipt! My issue is always getting it out of the house, so this works great for me!
hi-d says
Cool post. It is amazing how much “stuff” we all collect. I have been more of a “saver” most of my life, but my hubby has really forced (helped) me…haha…to purge. This weekend we got rid of a bunch of my old shoes and purses and empty shoe boxes that I was saving…ahhh…it’s a freeing feeling for sure!!! :)
erin m. says
Wow!! I am really impressed!!
I am a bit of a pack-rat (not overly… definitely no hoarder), and my mom an insane clean freak (gotta love her). You are truly inspiring! I need baby steps, so maybe I will find a few items this week I can donate :)
Mylene says
This winter I’m moving from Philadelphia where I’ve had to use a laundromat for 5+ years to the Caribbean. Consequently, among the MANY things that have to go are extra sets of sheets & towels that came in handy as when I wasn’t in the mood for hauling big loads to the laundromat. Since those items are a little odd to resell or donate to GoodWill, I’m taking them to my local animal shelter where they’re always needed! This is a great way to get rid of old worn-out sheets or stained towels, even if you’re not undertaking a long-distance move.
Kelly says
Wow! Good for you! I have a two-week old at home and will use the exact same diapers as you in a few weeks. I’m very curious about your new trash situation, because I haven’t figured that out yet. Do tell!
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kelly,
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s BabyCenter post for those goods.
xo,
s
Kate says
Hey guys,
Just recently started following your site, and love it. I know you already got rid of your stuff, but for future reference I LOVE http://www.paperbackswap.com – it’s a book swapping site that allows me to never increase the amount of books that are in my house, while still letting me read at my own pace (not under library deadlines) and keep the ones I really like. Works for cookbooks too! :)
Sheryl J says
Just last week I went through all my clothes because I was going to a clothing drive party. I only had one trash bag of clothing and blankets, but I felt great getting rid of all those clothes and donating them to the needy.
I wish I was able to donate some my hubby’s clothes too but I’m not allowed to touch them… men. (sigh)
Stephanie says
Okay, you guys are my organizational heroes. One day I want to be just like you:)! Where did you keep that stuff tucked away? It looks like it just popped up out of the blue. Your storage places must be very clever. If you are planning stuff for the new house, please include detailed postings of how you store items that are not used a ton, but you need to have quick access to them when you want them. Thanks!
Stephanie says
See, where did you keep 10 cookbooks!
YoungHouseLove says
In a cabinet in our kitchen. Our kitchen also houses nearly all of our tools. Hooray for lots of cabinets. But boo for keeping them organized!
xo,
s
Melanie says
Impressive both in volume and expediency. It’s amazing, though, how stuff manages to creep back in. I participate in a local semi-annual event where participants sell and shop for gently used clothing, toys, books, accessories, etc. I somehow manage to consign at least 100 items every time, and my goal is always to sell more than I bring home. Lest you think I’m swapping my clutter for someone else’s, I primarily sell and replace things my kids have outgrown. Well, mostly…a girl’s gotta have a little fun now and then ;)
Melissa says
Really? That cute glass ball lamp on the kitchen counter? Now if only you were having a garage sale, I’d buy it (of course I would have to travel from Minneapolis!)
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Melissa,
Yup, it had been in a closet for so long we even forgot we had it- which means we no longer need and use it. We had to be ruthless!
xo,
s
Anne says
My mom was so excited to stumble upon your yardsale this weekend while out with my grandma! She called me and said “Anne, I went to a yardsale at YHL! I got you something from West Elm. They were so nice!” I’m up in Baltimore so I havent seen it yet but if it came from your house I am sure it is fabulous!!!
Katie O says
Such a great idea!
We are getting ready to move across the country – from the midwest to Oregon…and I’ve started this journey of purging, but to set a goal of 100 things is a great idea! I am going to do this. Thanks guys!
Jen says
Read the post about the new house (thanks for the link)! Clearly I have been a bit behind on reading posts. Must be that two year old I have to chase around LOL! Anyway, congrats it looks adorable. Can’t wait to see more pictures and to watch you guys make it even more amazing than I am sure it already is!
:)
Irina@CanDoGal says
Isn’t it funny how you end up filling the available space you have? It’s amazing how much stuff you managed to weed out. My circumstances in the last five years had me moving about once a year, and moving is always the BEST opportunity to purge. You literally put your hands on every object and have that moment to decide whether to keep it or not. If I hadn’t used it over that year, out it went.
Ashley @ A {Blonde's} DIY Life says
WOW!!! you beat your deadline, by a looonnggg shot! It’s amazing what you find when you start digging! You inspired me to start my own Great Clean-Out! I’ve only made it through about 20 some odd things…but that was without even really trying! Basically walking by something….and wondering why it was still sitting there, then just tossing it!
Tricia says
I love a good purge! I just finished the book The Happiness Project and was inspired to de-clutter. I like how you itemized everything. I may do the same thing. My pile is currently on the floor in the basement just waiting to be taken outta the house!
Good job on the clutter.
LittleMissEclectic says
Congrats! I have wanted to do a major purge through the last 2 moves, but both have been so quick we didn’t have time:(
steph says
you should make it 221 and keep the take and toss plastic cups. they are so baby handy!
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
WOW! You guys are very inspiring. I have to do this in our whole house as well and then have a garage sale and then donate the rest. Maybe next year in the Spring I will start this. Too much going on right now with the holidays coming up over the next two months. But you guys must feel so great. Really awesome and you went over your 100 mark. Love it. It must feel good! :D
Jennifer @ Milk & Honey Mommy says
No need to feel any shame. Congratulations on the purge! We made a move across country (where dollars and cents matter in moving company). After moving, I look at the excess in pounds and the dollars (can’t see those anymore) that were spent shipping a lot of JUNK we really didn’t (and still don’t) need. Now, I need to go through five rooms and get rid of stuff that should have been left behind. A lot will be donated (I don’t do well w/yard sales), but I wish I had been more organized and done it before we moved. My suggestion for both of you is to PURGE ON!
stephanie Cisneros says
Can I have your lamp your giving away in your kitchen? I have been looking at one just like it for a long time. Thanks. Steph
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Stephanie,
As we mentioned in the post, everything is already gone from our toss piles (we had a moving sale and donated the rest). So sorry!
xo,
s
Krystle says
Wanted to thank you for the encouragement. After reading your post about getting rid of 100 things I went home thursday night and convinced my husband to have a yardsale Saturday. We constantly take stuff up to the attic throughout the year so it was not real trouble. Except bringing everything downstairs and being up at the crack of dawn. Needless to say we had an excellent turn out and donated everything leftover. It feels great knowing all that stuff is not in our house anymore.
Sara @ House Bella says
I have a tendency to keep books around too long, too. My sister and I have set up a book exchange with each other (she lives in Washington, I live in Idaho) and we send stacks of books (book rate) to each other to share the reading love. Once I’m done with the books she send me, I list them on Book Swap (on Good Reads). If I had a local used book store, I’d probably just sell them there. Maybe find a book buddy to link up with! I’ll be your book buddy! ;)
Lisa says
I noticed that you purged a couple of baby-related books (“What to Expect…” and another one). I was wondering if it was because you didn’t find them helpful, or is it perhaps now that you have “been there, done that” you don’t need them?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Lisa,
We actually had some doubles of those books believe it or not, so we got rid of one copy and kept the other.
xo,
s
Christie says
Good job! We need to go through that process. Love the lamp in your kitchen picture! Wish I lived in VA and could come to your moving sale! :)
Cynthia (It All Changes) says
I love this challenge. We are possibly moving after the new year so I love the idea of getting rid of things prior to having to do so.
Erin says
You guys are so inspiring. I have this problem with getting rid of things that are cute or otherwise still useful- even if they are no longer my style. Like the glass lamp you got rid of (I have an identical one that I’ve been hanging onto for a year). But a decluttered house is better than hanging onto stuff for no reason. We moved and THEN tried to sort and declutter (big mistake)- you guys are doing this the right way :)
Ana says
I’m glad I didn’t take pictures of all the stuff I sold/donated when I moved last summer. And I’m one of those people whose friends say, “But you have no stuff!” No, I don’t have VISIBLE stuff. I’m doing a clean-out today since I’m off. Thanks for the inspiration. :)
Also, I know you guys are in purging mode, but should you like to add to your board game collection for the new house, try Telestrations. It’s the telephone game but with drawings and it’s best when played with a lot of people. I played for the first time last month while visiting my best friend in Virginia and we laughed so hard we cried. The best drawings (and by that I mean worst) were snapped with an iPhone for posterity.
Sydney says
We are a young couple who have been remodeling our house for the past 4 years-and loving it!!! I absolutely love you guys blog and follow it (faithfully!) every day and even got my sister hooked. We’ve been working on our kitchen and yes, it is amazing the stuff you hoard without knowing it!! So many odds and ends that we will never use…feels so good to purge it all from the system! : )
Kristy says
You inspired me to do my own purge – 100 things before my parents arrive for Thanksgiving (which gives me just over a week). Initially I thought I would shoot for a few things each day, but sometimes its better just to get it all done and out of the house all at once. Glad to know you were able to do so much over just a few days!
Kristen says
Wow! I am so envious of your de-cluttering abilities! I have been on the same mission for quite a few months now…but feel as if I never get anywhere! Also, I am so envious of the glass lamp you got rid of! I can’t believe you didn’t hang onto that. Do you remember where it’s from?
YoungHouseLove says
Hey Kristen,
It was from Target, very affordable (maybe $29?). It was actually acrylic, not glass. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
jbhat says
They may be sort of passe, but I love those lamps that have the clear stacking balls. I would have snagged that at your moving sale.
Inspirational as usual. I need to kill my television and get on it too. Thanks for the inspiration!
jbhat
Yulia says
I just finished reading the post and scrolled through the comments. Sherry, you must be the most patient person in the whole wide world. I can’t believe that you don’t turn on your caps locks and type/scream at all the repetitive question. People: they already gave it all away! Yes, they love board games, those were just duplicates! The diaper post is coming tomorrow! No they don’t post their address on the blog, would you?!
You are a better person than I am!