Use it, love it or bin it – tips for de-cluttering plus a photographic enhancement service to help you de-clutter!

You want to move house, but have accumulated so much ‘stuff’ over the years that the idea is a little scary, and with Christmas out of the way you may also be left with wrapping paper, boxes and your Christmas tree on top of it all!

If this sounds like you, then you may need to de-clutter, particularly if you are thinking of moving home. There are two reasons for this, the first, to make your home as tidy and presentable as possible to enhance your photographs and improve your viewings, the second is so that your move is less costly and also less stressful.

At David Phillip Estate Agents we recommend to start on your primary rooms first as these are the rooms that people will look at on Rightmove or Zoopla. Try to be ruthless, if items don’t relate to your present lifestyle and have no place in your future aspirations, and are of no sentimental value then get rid. Clothes that no longer fit can be taken to a charity shop, and likewise books that you have read.

Taking things to the tip isn’t always the only option, why not hold a stall at your local car boot sale or sell things online on sites such as e-bay and Gumtree.

Facebook has local pages where you can sell unwanted items, and local community sites such as the ones for Bramhope, Adel and Cookridge make ideal places to sell your unwanted items locally – do a search on Facebook to find details.

Another option is to give items to friends or family who will make use of them, and of course charity shops.

After Christmas there is of course extra de-cluttering or re-cycling

• Christmas trees and wreaths can be removed. If you are a residents of Bramhope, Adel, Cookridge or Poolin Wharfedale then ring St Gemma’s Christmas Tree Collection service – collection dates are January 7th, 8th and 9th and can be booked at stgemma.co.uk/events/christmas-tree-collection/
• Artificial trees and wreaths if in good condition can be taken to local charity shops
• Cards, wrapping paper and cardboard can be recycled – many supermarkets offer a re-cycling bin in their carparks (remember glass baubles, ribbons or embellishments  can not be recycled!)
• For more information about recycling or household collection then visit leeds.gov.uk/residents/bins-and-recycling

By removing clutter and not allowing it to build up again is like learning a new habit as well as being quite therapeutic, however, if you are wanting to market your home early in January, why not take advantage of the David Phillip photographic enhancement service too. We can take a photo of any room in your home and by using clever photography we can make that untidy room market ready and de-cluttered – it is part of our bespoke packages.

January is a good time to sell, and we know more people view Rightmove and Zoopla at this time of year. So, if you have a property to sell in North Leeds then get it market ready sooner by ringing David Phillip Estate Agents in Bramhope t:01134 676 400  w: davidphillip.co.uk