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Whether your kids have moved out and you’re the new owner of an empty nest, or you are going to live solo for a while and need smaller digs, downsizing on space can be a challenging undertaking. Although a smaller space can mean less maintenance, you also need to figure out how to move all your belongings from spacious Point A to diminutive Point B. That’s no easy feat. If you’re looking for advice on how to deal with this transition, read on. Here are just four ways you can make the move more manageable.
Analyse Your Life and Needs
The number one way to successfully and smoothly downsize is to accept the fact that you will have to let go of some of your belongings. This process could involve a number of methods that are explored later, but as a starting point, you need to think long and hard about what your needs are.
Do you really need two different sets of china? Have you used your treadmill regularly since you bought it? How about those tennis racquets you bought last year – how many times have you played tennis?
I have an exercise bike that does not fit in the house anymore, it is gathering dust and cobwebs under the pergola. Yes, I know I should give it to people that can use it, however I think one day I will use it. However it has sat there unused for a long time. So I think it needs to go.
De-cluttering and sorting. It is a tough job but once done you will feel great!
As you consider these sorts of questions, write a list of the activities and associated items that just aren’t part of your life as much as they used to be. The result will be a list of belongings that don’t need to board the moving truck.
Host a Garage Sale
For all those clothes, knick knacks, kitchen utensils, linen, and toys that didn’t make the cut, why not hold a garage sale? This is a great way to make some extra money and reduce your pile of possessions at the same time. You don’t need to bear the stress of organising a garage sale all by yourself either – enlist the help of family and friends!
Give to Charity
I regularly do a clean of items that are not used. Mainly the kids clothes and toys. With Spring nearly upon us, a good Spring clean of the house will uncover more items that we don’t need or use, this in turn frees up space for the whole family. I do the sort and figure out if the items are good enough to be given away. If they are, I pack them up and give to the Salvos or the Smith Family. If toys are broken or beyond repair they get chucked as there is no point keeping them.
I like to make sure that items that can have a second life, help others that need them.
Opt for Multi-functional Household Items
Another way to reduce your clutter is to buy clever, space-saving furniture and multi-purpose items. From coffee tables and ottomans with hidden storage compartments to specially designed drawer inserts and wall hooks, there are plenty of innovative creations out there that can really make a difference to how much space you use and how you make the most of what you have.
One space sorted. All tidy, and a spot for everything.
Use a Storage Facility
Struggling to even contemplate parting with some of your belongings? Strongly believe that you will need that gym equipment or coats down the line? If you are agonising over getting rid of items, there is another alternative: put them in storage! There are a huge range of storage providers to choose from, such as Fort Knox, and many provide a raft of security measures, such as cameras, onsite managers and alarms. Click here to learn more. When deciding on which storage facility to go with, also think about accessibility and read testimonials and reviews.
No matter how you go about downsizing your living space or the reasons why you are doing so, remember to try and maintain a positive attitude throughout the process. This, ultimately, will help the transition be as pain-free as possible!
Do you have a story to tell about moving from a larger house to a smaller one? Did you manage to reduce your things enough to fit into the new place?
Was this done without any arguments? Let us know.
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