Top 5 Tips For An Easy Downsizing
Moving to a smaller house is arguably one of the most stressful events in life. You have to adapt to new circumstances and forget about spacious rooms. Luckily, there are simple ways to make your downsizing easier. Of course, you should declutter your home from time to time, but decluttering before moving out is required to make it less complicated. Read on to find tips on how to downsize without stress.
Start Early and Prepare In Advance
Downsizing is a lengthy process that can’t be finished in a day. If you package everything at the very last moment, you will definitely forget something. You need enough time to decide which items you need and pack the belongings you want to keep. Decluttering is one of the first things you should do when you decide to get a smaller house.
Prepare a List of Your Possessions
A list of everything you have will help you decide what you don’t want to move with you. Go around your house and look at your belongings, both digital and physical. Just imagine everything that has accumulated over the years. Open all your drawers and turn all beds when you make your list.
Have a look at every item and note its condition, your impressions and how often you use it. All these factors should help you decide which items to keep and won’t let you be sentimental. If you really can’t part with something, make a note of that as well. Maybe, you will later realize this item has no place in your new home.
Get the Floor Plan of Your New House
You should know how your new house will look like to make sure you only bring items that can fit through the front door and match the new design. Take the measurements of all large items you have and then compare it with the measurements of hallways, rooms and door openings. Of course, an item may not be worth it even if it fits through the door. Sometimes, new pieces are better than old ones.
Thing about Other Important Factors
Sometimes, you have items that meet your requirements and you want to keep but they are still not suitable for a smaller house. For example, if you’re moving to a warmer place, you don’t need a snow blower. If you’re moving to a colder place, you don’t need that much swimwear. Outdoor grills are enjoyable when you have a yard but they aren’t allowed in an apartment complex.
If some items are in bad condition, estimate the cost of moving it and replacing it after several years when it breaks. Maybe, it’s wise to replace it now. You should get rid of items that you haven’t used for a year or longer, as you probably won’t use them in a new house as well.
Now you have the items you want to take with you and the hardest work is over.
Sort the Items from Your List
You will find many unwanted items that should go to your discard pile, along with all unneeded and damaged items. You will also have items in good condition that you don’t really need. Prepare these items for sale, especially those that you can’t just give away, such as electronics and furniture.
Even though it’s always nice to make extra cash, organizing a sale or setting up eBay listings can be stressful. Don’t try to sell all items at once. Items like old toys, clothes and home goods can be welcomed in a thrift store. Some items can also be donated to charities.
The more time you have to pack everything, the more likely you will label everything. It will help you safely ship the items and save your sanity when you unpack in your new house. Keep away items that should be sold or donated and make a note you should visit a thrift store.
Now you should have a plan ahead to organize your downsize and make it stress-free. With all your items packed in advance, you can imagine your life in a new home. You can daydream about living in a place with items that you really need and comfort that you desire.