10 Tips to Follow for Downsizing Your Home
10 Tips to Follow for Downsizing Your Home by Monarch Beach Movers
Downsizing can be a fun adventure. Learning to live with less is freeing for many people. But you’ll need to do some serious work if you’re seriously downsizing. If you know you’ve got to get rid of stuff before you can call in the Monarch Beach movers to take you to your new home, here are ten steps to start with.
1. Begin with furniture
Start with the big stuff when you’re moving to a smaller space. You’ll often find that your furniture doesn’t fit well into your new home, either because you’ve got too much of it or because it’s oversized. Take measurements of your new home, and then figure out where each piece of furniture will fit. Sell any pieces that don’t fit well before your move so that you don’t have to pay to move them.
2. Pack as you go
One of the best ways to keep straight what you have to offload and what you are going to keep is to pack as you go. Pack up boxes full of essentials or sentimental items you know you’ll keep, and set them aside. This helps you keep tabs on where you are in the sorting process, too.
3. Start sorting with storage areas
If you need to get rid of a significant portion of your “stuff” the best place to begin is with your storage areas. Starting with your attic or garage or wherever else in your home has collected the most randomness is a good bet. If you haven’t used something in over a year, get rid of it. You can even downsize on your holiday decor, since you’ll now have a smaller space to decorate.
4. Get rid of the clutter
Even if your home doesn’t look cluttered now, it’s important to remember that the smaller your new home is, the more easily it will become cluttered. Downsize your decorations and other small items to just a couple of boxes of things that you really love. You’ll be happy that you did when you get settled into your new home.
5. Sort out the closets
Chances are your new, smaller home has less closet space. If this is the case, take some time to downsize the closets. Focus on getting your wardrobe to a manageable level of items that you really love, rather than things you’re keeping just because. You’ll fit more easily into your smaller home, and be happier with your wardrobe, so this is a win-win.
6. Rent a storage unit
This isn’t always necessary, but if you’re having real trouble deciding what to keep and what to get rid of, consider renting a storage unit. Then, move any non-essential items into the storage unit instead of into your new home. Unpack the unit slowly, as you find need of things in your new home. Whatever is left in the unit at the end of a few months can be offloaded then.
7. Give items to family members
If you’re trying to figure out what to do with certain sentimental items that you like but don’t have room for, call in your family members. Chances are your kids and grandkids would like to take a few of the items that you no longer need, getting them off your hands without added guilt.
8. Host a whole house sale
Downsizing significantly can leave you with too much leftover stuff for a garage sale. Instead, host a whole-house sale. Leave anything you don’t want in your home, and invite people to come in and make an offer. It can be a weird experience, but it’s simpler than a garage sale and can still get rid of stuff while making you some extra cash.
9. Schedule a pickup
Schedule your local secondhand ministry, like the Salvation Army, to come to your home the day after your whole house sale. They’ll often pick up any leftover items for free.
10. Hire the professional movers
Getting through the downsizing process takes loads of time and effort, and it’s something that only you can do. But once you’re downsized and ready to move, the best Monarch Beach moving company can help you move in just a couple of days, saving you the rest of the effort involved in moving.