3 Smart and Simple Decluttering Steps
for Home Owners who want to get the best chance of getting top dollar for their home
Great information provided from one of our local partners - Fraser Valley Junk Solutions
If you’ve lived in your home for years, decluttering can feel like climbing a mountain. Between sentimental items, oversized furniture, and just the amount of stuff, it’s easy to feel stuck. The good news: with a clear plan, the process becomes manageable and even rewarding. I’m Sam, owner of Fraser Valley Junk Solutions, and in this guest post I’m sharing three simple steps we use with clients across Chilliwack, Abbotsford, and Cultus Lake to make decluttering before a move feel manageable. Whether you’re an empty‑nester in Abbotsford moving to a cozy condo, a family in Chilliwack craving simplicity, or a Cultus Lake homeowner preparing to list, these steps will help you declutter efficiently and keep stress in check while increasing the value of your home.
TIP #1: Break the project into manageable partsTrying to declutter the whole house in one weekend is a recipe for burnout. Instead, work in micro‑zones (one closet, the pantry, a single garage bay). Then, we recommend sorting items into three piles:
● Keep → what you truly use and love
● Donate → good‑condition items others can use
● Discard → broken, outdated, or unusable
Pro tip: handle each item once. Decide immediately where it goes instead of shuffling it around. You’ll see progress quickly, and those small wins build momentum. When donation or junk piles outgrow your car, book a mid-project pickup so your momentum doesn’t stall.
At HappyHomesBC we visit with our clients to help them focus on the right areas so that they don't spend a lot of time.
and sometimes, money on efforts that really don't have the largest impact. In addition to that, included in our fees, we employ a staging consultant to come to the house with us to get your home, "picture, video and show ready" after the first wave of decluttering is done. We work along with you every step of the way. We want to present your home in its best light to attract that perfect buyer who sees the value of your cherished home.
TIP #2: Tag and tackle large items systematically
Once the small stuff is under control, turn to furniture, appliances, and bulky items. A simple color‑tag system keeps everyone on the same page:
● Green = Keep
● Yellow = Donate or sell
● Red = Junk or disposal
Walk each room and tag everything. The visual overview reduces last‑minute indecision and helps family, movers, and haulers know what goes where. After tagging, schedule charity pickups for gently used furniture (availability varies by area and condition—call ahead), book junk removal for red‑tagged items, and line up movers for what stays.
Local donation options to consider (call to confirm acceptance & pickup windows):
● Mission Thrift Store (furniture & household, condition‑dependent)
● Habitat for Humanity ReStore (furniture, tools, building materials)
● Big Brothers Big Sisters/Value Village (often small household goods or fabrics)
● MCC Thrift (household goods; location‑specific)
HappyHomesBC Team will bring a "Pre-Listing Checklist" as well to help you stay organized.
TIP #3: Preserve sentimental memories without the clutter
The hardest part isn’t the stuff, sometimes it’s the stories attached to it. He’s a simple way to honour the memories while freeing up space:
● Photograph special items, then let the object go.
● Create a simple memory book with a few favorites and their stories.
● Keep one small “memory box” with truly meaningful pieces.
Example: photograph three bulky trophies and keep a single medal in the memory box. By separating the memory from the object, your home reflects who you are now, not just the past.
Timeline Suggestion for Sellers
1. 3–4 weeks before photos are scheduled, start going through your micro‑zones and create the three pile types(keep, donations and junk)
2. 2 weeks out: tag large items; book charity pickups & junk removal
3. Photo week: clear surfaces, closets, and floors for a spacious look
Mini‑FAQ
How far in advance should I book a junk removal company?
Aim for 3-4 days for large pickups, and 1-2 days for small ones. Availability usually depends on the size of your job and what you need removed.
What won’t charities take and what do I do with it?
Policies vary, but most avoid damaged or soiled items. For anything not accepted, schedule a junk removal company to haul‑away and recycle the items which can’t be donated or recycled.
Conclusion
Decluttering boosts listing photos, makes rooms feel larger, and reduces last‑minute stress before showings, ultimately increasing the value of your home. If your piles have outgrown the trunk space, professional help keeps things moving—learn more at FRASER VALLEY JUNK SOLUTIONS
About the author
Sam is a local entrepreneur who started Fraser Valley Junk Solutions as a high‑school class project in 2018. Since then, the company has grown into Chilliwack’s go‑to choice for responsible junk removal for homeowners and businesses alike—helping the Fraser Valley Get Junk Gone, and we have utilized their services and referred their services to many satisfied clientele over the last 7 years!