What to do When You’re Moving to a Smaller Place

Downsizing isn’t the easiest thing to do. As we go through our lives we often collect more and more things: memories from vacations, family heirlooms, old toys that your kids loved and you think your grandkids might someday too.

When you move into a smaller home, not everything will fit, or at least not everything will fit if you want to be comfortable and not feel like you are drowning in your belongings. But, getting rid of possessions that you love or have held onto for years can be tough. Here are a few suggestions to help make the process easier.

Change Your Mindset

First of all, if you are moving into a smaller space because it’s more affordable and not because you wanted to leave your old home, one of the ways to make the process easier is by changing your mindset.

• Remind yourself that smaller homes are more affordable in many different ways. For example your rent or mortgage will likely be cheaper and it won’t cost as much to heat it in the winter or cool it in the summer.
• You won’t have to spend as much time cleaning it, because there is less space to clean.
• Getting rid of some of your belongings can be good for your health. Several studies have shown that there is a link between the amount of clutter in someone’s home and higher stress levels, poor physical health, and lower levels of satisfaction with one’s life.
• It’ll be easier to find things. You won’t have to wonder if the Halloween decorations are in the basement or attic, because all of your seasonal belongings will be stored in the same hall closet.

 Layout Your New Home

Then once you’ve changed your mindset and are ready to plan your move you can start by getting a floor plan and laying out your new home. This way you can see if all of your furniture will fit or if you’ll need to look into getting a smaller or thinner couch or if you’ll need to get rid of the second reclining chair.

Planning the layout of your new home will also help you spot places that can be used for storage. Or alternatively, places where you can add in extra storage, like floor to ceiling shelves at the end of a windowless hall.

Get Rid of the Clutter

Now that you have a better idea of what all will fit into your new home, it’s time to get rid of the items that won’t.

1. Start by creating a list of the “must keeps.” These are things like family heirlooms, some of your yarn or model car collection, and the drawing your teenager drew when he was three that still lives on the fridge and brings a smile to your face every time you see it.
2. Move onto the obvious items: the couch that won’t fit, the tent that broke three years ago, the second and third blenders that are still in their boxes from your wedding.

If you are struggling to part with items, you can pay for temporary storage, but the goal should be that this is temporary. After you’ve lived in your new place for a few months, if you haven’t even thought about what’s in the storage unit you can decide if you really need it or if it’s something else you can get rid of. If you do need a bit of extra space we do have storage, so contact us today for a quote.