Downsizing from a large home to a smaller one may feel heartbreaking to you, but it’s an opportunity to let go of things that you don’t need anymore.
Instead of looking at downsizing as losing things, think of it as an opportunity to let go of things you used to worry about. You’ll only have time and space for the things that matter to you in your new home.
But how do you decide what to leave behind? How do you determine the worth of things that you’ve had in your home for so long? If you’re moving to a smaller home, here are some tips to help you effectively downsize.
Tips for Moving to a Smaller Home
Whether you’re moving to a smaller home because it’s more affordable, or you just can’t justify having a huge house anymore, it’s time to start getting rid of things. Here are some ways to help with the downsizing.
1. Consider the Home You’re Moving Into
The first step in downsizing is understanding what kind of space you’re moving to. How many rooms will there be, and how large are the rooms? If the living space is considerably smaller, you’re going to need to leave behind the over-sized furniture.
If your current home has extra rooms that your new home won’t have, you’ll need to get rid of almost all the stuff in those additional rooms. Don’t crowd your new home with unnecessary items.
2. Let Go of Attachment
We often feel attached to the items and furniture in our homes. You think that you can’t get rid of something that you paid good money for, or that you’ve had in your home for years.
If you maintain this perspective, downsizing will be incredibly difficult. Start letting go of your attachment to the items in your house. It’ll seem like an impossible idea, but in reality, you’ll forget about them in no time.
Go room to room and ask yourself these critical questions about your belongings:
- When did I use this item last?
- Will I really use it again?
- Will I have room for this item in my new home?
By answering these questions, you should be able to determine if it’s necessary to keep.
3. Get Rid of Clutter
Downsizing gives you the opportunity to sort through everything you own and finally get rid of the things that you forgot you even had.
If you find something that hasn’t been used in 10 years and think “well, maybe I’ll use it in my new home,” stop right there. If you forgot you even owned it, you definitely don’t need it.
4. Look for Purpose
To maintain the decluttered areas that you have worked so hard to achieve, be selective about what you bring into your home from now on. Make sure your items have a purpose.
If you are considering getting something new, make sure it will serve multiple functions and that it isn’t a duplicate of something you already have. When you bring new items into your home, try to get rid of something else to make room. Before you buy something, think about where that new item will go.
For More Information
Downsizing to a new home is stressful because it’s so difficult to let go of things you’ve lived with. But once you finally let go, it will make your move that much easier.
If you have any questions about moving to a smaller home, please contact us today for more information.