People downsizing their houses appear to be more common these days than businesses shrinking their operations, and the implications are becoming increasingly positive. Moving away from a huge home, where maintenance is costly, and things appear to mysteriously gather in the basement’s black hole, can be a wonderful thing. But getting it is not simple. What factors do you need to consider while deciding what to bring and what to leave behind? How and where can you get rid of things you don’t need? And how can you discover a smaller space that satisfies your requirements? Take a stroll through helpful websites and read this article to make the process easier! Here are some tips for moving into a smaller home!
Prepare to downsize
Make a mental shift. Don’t limit yourself. When you have to downsize, it’s easy to become depressed about the whole thing. But, after years of living in a large house, going smaller can be a relief; simpler upkeep, cheaper maintenance expenses, and less pressure to host huge groups of people can be a comfort. Alternatively, you may be moving closer to the city center, where you will be able to minimize your dependency on your automobile and have better access to shopping, restaurants, and cultural events. Consider the advantages of downsizing and keep them in mind when you declutter your stuff and relocate to a smaller space. That is one of the best tips for moving into a smaller home.
List your top priorities
Create a list of your top priorities. What do you need or want the most in your home? Consider this carefully and be truthful. You’ll rarely get everything you want in a new place, but if you stick to your top priorities, you’ll be able to acquire what matters most to you. Is having a private outdoor space, for example, truly essential to you?
Do you want an entry that isn’t in a hallway? Is it better to have a lot of light or an open floor plan? These will swiftly direct you to the places that could be a suitable fit for you and allow you to skip through those that aren’t. Make sure to also find a reputable moving company when you are preparing to move. That way, you will avoid moving frauds and have a smoother transition into your new place!
Find inspirations in magazines and online
It wouldn’t hurt to start storing photos of small places that you like, as well as organizing and decluttering suggestions. If you’re feeling down, look through some idea books and clippings for inspiration. There are many helpful websites and blogs where you will be able to find ideas!
Getting rid of your stuff
One of the tips for moving into a smaller home is to let family take some of your items. It might be unpleasant for relatives to learn after the fact that you sold family treasures without first informing them. It’s a good idea to offer to pass on family heirlooms, but you don’t have to put up with continuous waffling or wait for relatives to get their act together and grab what they want. Set a firm but fair time limit, and inform your family of your plans for the goods they don’t want at the end of it.
It’s up to you to decide what to do if you have younger family members who want something but don’t have anywhere to put it. If you already intend to rent a storage unit and money isn’t a problem, you may (kindly) offer to keep the items for them for some time. Generally, short-term storage is highly beneficial when moving. And there are many great options if a unit is needed for a shorter period. However, it is not your job to function as a storage facility for other people’s belongings; if you want everything taken care of right now, say so. Perhaps another family member will step up and give a garage corner.
Choose what you want to get rid of
Make a list of your must-haves. Assume you’ve lost all of your belongings in your home due to a fire today. What would make you feel devastated if you lost it? What would you need to replace immediately to get your life back on track?
Your responses to these questions should form the basis of a list of essential items to bring to your new house. I recommend starting with your “yes, without a doubt” list rather than the other way around. You can always persuade yourself to keep something you don’t truly need or desire, but letting go is far more difficult. Identifying your most critical items early on should make the remainder of the process go more smoothly.
And since the items you want to keep will have to undergo some transport ruffling, pay attention to use proper packing supplies, so they don’t suffer any damage!
Drop the obvious items first. You can probably think of a bunch of things that match this category off the top of your head: what about the broken appliances in the attic that you never got around to trashing, out-of-date clothing, and books you’ve meant to donate to the library. Take your time if you need to, but a marathon day of clutter removal may inspire you to keep going. It feels great to get rid of things like these!
Get rid of duplicates and “just in case” items in your home. It’s simple to save things in a large house with plenty of storage just in case you need them later — but in a tiny space, it’s “use it or lose it.” You can always go out and get something if you need it! Cut out as many duplicate things as you can. This includes everything from large to little! You don’t need several sets of glassware and china or multiple pairs of scissors. In a tiny area, what is handy or even required in a large home will simply not function.
Moving on with your life
When moving into a smaller home, you have to recognize that you’ll have to change your habits. A tiny house, condo, or apartment does not have the same amount of storage as a bigger property, which might be an advantage. When you have everything you need at hand, there’s no need to rummage through a dusty attic or a flood-prone basement looking for Christmas lights. Of course, this implies you must be cautious about bringing home new items without thinking about where they will go. You might wish to stick to a one-in, one-out approach, getting rid of one identical thing for every new one you get.