When downsizing to a smaller home, it can be difficult to know where to begin in regard to having a successful move. Fortunately, I have written this blog to help alleviate some of the stress that comes with downsizing.
I have put together my top 5 tips when downsizing to a smaller home to help you with the process. I will be going through each tip to break down the process into smaller sections so you can focus on one thing at a time. Whatever stage you are at in the process, this blog will have the right advice for you.
Clear out as much as possible in your current home
When it comes to downsizing, the idea of a smaller space and the real thing is very different, with that in mind you need to make sure you are only taking the essentials with you. In order to do this, schedule enough time to declutter your home before you move.
Start doing this early on to give yourself as much time as possible. I’d suggest starting in small sections and doing one room at a time to avoid overwhelming yourself. This will also allow you to tackle things in stages so you don’t need to rush to declutter your home a week before you move.
When doing this, you need to be mindful of the space that you are going to lose when you downsize. For example, if your new home has one less bedroom, be realistic about how many items you can actually take with you. By doing this, you’re ensuring that you won’t end up with a cluttered house when you move in.
Although it’s a hard task, you need to be brutal with yourself otherwise you run the risk of cluttering your new home. If you haven’t used an item in the last year, the chances are you never will so throw it away.
Implement a waste management solution
Throughout the process of decluttering your current home, you will need to implement a waste management solution so you don’t end up dwelling over which items to throw away as you will end up taking more things than you need with you.
Hiring a skip is a great way to keep on top of your waste without having to go to the tip each day, which can be inconvenient and time consuming. When you hire a skip, ensure you know what you can put in a skip to avoid your rubbish not being collected.
Measure the space beforehand
Before you move into your downsized home, ensure you have measured the space beforehand so you know exactly what size space you are dealing with. Unfortunately, not all of your current furniture will fit in your smaller home so you may have to invest in smaller items.
Start by measuring your furniture to see if it will fit comfortably in your new space, make sure you don’t compromise on the amount of floor space you will have just to fit your furniture. Map out the space with tape and create a makeshift set so you can get a feel of what it would be like once you move in.
If you find that your current furniture doesn’t fit, this gives you a chance to buy smaller items to fit your space before you move in. You don’t want to leave this until the last minute and end up in a cramped space for a few weeks waiting for smaller furniture to arrive in your new home.
Make the most out of the space you have
Once you have moved in and you are ready to renovate your home, make the most out of the space you have by modernising your home with things like built-in storage solutions. These will allow you to get as much out of your home as possible.
Once again, break this task down into smaller sections to avoid dumping items into one room and thus cluttering it. When it comes to downsizing, be smart with the kind of storage items and furniture you choose. For example, it would be beneficial to you to have items such as your fridge and dishwasher built-in with the rest of your kitchen items.
Time for you to start your downsizing project
Now that I have shared my top 5 tips when downsizing to a smaller home, it’s time for you to begin the process. Remember to give yourself enough time to sort through what you currently have to avoid cluttering your new home.
As well as this, ensure you have an efficient waste management solution in place sp you can get rid of any unwanted items as soon as possible. This will also keep your current home clear so you can focus on packing the items you want to take with you.