Here are some tips on how to downsize to a smaller home to help you get started.
Are you planning a move to a smaller house or apartment? If you are, there is a very good chance you will have to get rid of some of your belongings in order to fit into the smaller home. It can be hard to figure out what to get rid of and what to keep. But think of downsizing as a fresh start and a new lifestyle. Therefore, you will want to get rid of items that don’t fit into your new house or apartment but keep the things that still serve a purpose. Below are some tips to help you get started.
Get Rid of Big Furniture First
Perhaps you are downsizing from a 4 bedroom house to a 2 bedroom apartment. An easy place to start downsizing would be to sell or donate the bedroom furniture you will no longer need in the smaller home. Keep the bedroom furniture for your 2 bedrooms and get rid of the rest.
Next, consider your new square footage to help you decide what other furniture goes. You could be going from 2000 sq.ft. to 1500 sq.ft. Measure your new dimensions to help you figure out what you can keep, and what simply won’t fit. Perhaps you’ll need to get a smaller couch, but your dining table will fit nicely. Every move is unique but using your measure tape, you will better be able to decide what stays and what goes. And make these decisions before you move. Or else you will waste money moving your furniture to your smaller house, only to realize that there is no room for that coffee table you just couldn’t bear to leave behind.
Next Downsize Items You Haven’t Used in Awhile
If you are unsure about what smaller items to get rid of, follow the one year rule. The one year rule dictates that if you have not used the item in a year, it’s time to donate or sell it. This may be hard to follow, because some items and knick knacks have sentimental value. And, it is ok to keep a few belongings in that case. However, to downsize, you need to get rid of that sweatshirt at the back of your closet that you haven’t worn since college. So, be discerning here. A great place to start the purge is with books, because they are heavy to pack up and move, so if you haven’t read it in a year, get rid of them! Also, get rid of heavy gym equipment you hardly use anymore, because this is also heavy to pack and will save you money and time by not packing and unloading it when you move.
Go Digital – Tips on How to Downsize to a smaller home
In these modern times, most important documents can be scanned to a computer and saved to Google Drive. Your pictures can be uploaded to the cloud on DropBox. You can even digitize cd’s, dvds and cassettes. You may be surprised how many boxes of documents you can get rid of my going digital. And this will free up a lot of space for you, as you won’t have to store the boxes.
We hope you enjoyed our tips on how to downsize to a smaller home. You may also enjoy our blog post about the top moving mistakes to avoid.