Downsizing Your Home: How to do it Efficiently

Downsizing your home may seem like a daunting endeavor, but it does not have to be. In fact, you can make your move more efficient with the help of these organizational and moving tips and tricks:

Assess What You Need

If you know the dimensions of your new home or apartment, measure your furniture and consider what could be left behind. It may be worthwhile to invest in a lightweight, more space-friendly storage solution rather than drag along your clunky old dresser and nightstand. However, it is also okay to start small: simply open a drawer and examine its contents. Do you need five mismatched spatulas, fourteen old sweaters, or three seldom-used tennis rackets?

Try taking everything out, and only putting back what you use on a regular basis. You can immediately separate the remaining items into boxes for sale, donation, or second thoughts. As always when it comes to downsizing, try to avoid keeping anything “just in case” you might use it in the future.

Purge Before Organizing

You may be tempted to pick up multiple storage bins and boxes to help organize your belongings. However, you should wait to buy anything, including furniture or closet storage solutions, until you have fully gone through your belongings. If you have multiple meaningful mementos, then focus on tackling larger items first. Books, towels, bedding, and clothes can take up a lot of space without contributing much to a homeowner’s day-to-day life. If you are a book lover who wants to keep every volume you own, then create the space for them by getting rid of a large piece of furniture, extra kitchen products, or duplicate dishes.

Pick up a Few Moving Tips and Tricks

Once you have your belongings narrowed down, make the move easier by staying organized throughout the process. Make sure all of your boxes are properly labeled, especially those intended for sale or donation. As you pack, keep asking yourself whether you truly need the item. For example, if you have twenty plates but will not have the space to entertain such large groups, consider keeping only what you will need on a daily basis.

Finally, be sure to start packing early. The longer you put it off, the more likely you will be to throw random papers, knick-knacks, and books into a box at the last minute. These items may not be needed in your new residence, but would be in the way until you have time to sort through them properly. In fact, packing as you sort items in your home is one of the best ways to help with downsizing your home efficiently.