Downsizing Tips
While many people associate downsizing with aging and the desire to get out of a large home that you no longer need, sometimes that’s not the case. More and more people are downsizing as a way to make their lives easier.
A house requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance, and lots of people are seeking out apartments to reduce the amount of work they have to do. After all, no maintenance is a good thing and can free up lots of time.
But if you’re coming from a house to an apartment, you may need to downsize a bit. Don’t worry – you can do it. Here are some tips to make the process a little easier.
- Start Sooner Rather Than Later: It may seem like you have plenty of time to start the downsizing, but time always goes faster than you think. Even if you’re just thinking about downsizing, it’s probably time to start. After all, when it comes time to move, you don’t want to be thinking about what you need to get rid of in the midst of packing.
- Start Small: Downsizing can be stressful for some people as it may mean getting rid of some things you’ve come to treasure. If this is the case with you, start small. Pick a room that may not contain as many sentimental items and take an inventory of what you have – making sure you know what you’re keeping and what you’re going to say goodbye to.
- Rid Yourself of Rooms: This may sound drastic, to rid yourself of an entire room, but it may be entirely possible. Do you have a spare bedroom (or two) in your house? Will you even have an extra room in your new place? If the answer is no (or that you’ll have one less spare room), then maybe you can say goodbye to your spare bedroom and all it contains. How great would it be not to move an entire room?
- Got Doubles? Get Rid of Them: As you look around your house, you may notice that you have double (or more) of things. Two ice cream scoops. Eight sets of sheets. Two blenders. Do you really need these extras? Probably not. Take the time to gather up your duplicates and triplicates and purge them.
- Be Decisive: As you sort through your things, you need to be decisive as to what you’re keeping and what you’re purging. You may be tempted to create a “yes,” “no,” and “maybe” pile, but don’t bother with the “maybe.” You’re either keeping the item, or you’re not.
- If You’re a Collector, Choose Wisely: If you’re a collector, you may find downsizing difficult. You’re probably thinking to yourself, “Where am I going to put my collection of XXXX?” And, honestly, your new place may not have room for your collection(s).
- Take the time to choose wisely. Can you pick out your favorite pieces or must-haves? If you have multiple collections, can you take just one with you? Is there someone who would love your collection and give you the opportunity to see it occasionally? Be strategic when it comes to collections.
- Measure Items You Plan to Keep: Once you’ve decided what you want to keep, make sure you measure large items to make sure they’ll fit. This is important for large pieces of furniture that you may be moving into smaller rooms. And, it will help you avoid unexpected surprises on move-in day.
- Have a Sale: Last, but not least, have a sale for all of the items you want to get rid of. You can do a garage sale. You can upload items to online sale sites. You can even sell to family and friends. And when you’ve sold all you can – donate items that are in good shape to a worthy cause.
If you’re looking to downsize, follow these tips to make your life easier. Soon you can be enjoying a more relaxing life in an apartment that meets your needs!