How to Downsize for a Move
Living in a big house is fine for some families, but others find the cost and stress of maintenance burdensome. This is even true after your children have grown up and moved out. If your current home makes you feel overwhelmed, moving to a smaller home can be a perfect move mentally and financially.
However, decluttering and downsizing can be tiring jobs. Since there are lots of reasons to downsize, we made a guide to assist you to figure out ways to reduce the excesses in your home efficiently and live in a well-organized space or move on a budget.
Don’t allow the length of the list to intimidate you. Whether you are decluttering or downsizing to a smaller space, you can make good use of smaller items. I’ve done it over and over again, and it is kind of fun. The following tips will assist you to downsize and declutter exactly like a professional.
1. Begin early and at an easy pace
You should begin the downsizing process immediately to give yourself time to sort your house thoroughly without getting exhausted. Generally, you will want to begin at least 90 days before your move-out date but to be serious, the earlier the better. This time should be more than enough to make an effective decision-making plan that will help you conveniently determine the things to dispose of and the ones to keep. In addition, all this should be enough to get you emotionally ready for the move too, since it will mark the next huge phase in your life. So, when planning for your move, the first rule is to start early.
2. Take inventory
During downsizing to a smaller space, you normally won’t have enough space for everything you’ve gathered over the years. Before you begin to pack, you will be required to take inventory of your goods. As you sort through your things, it is essential to keep aspirational belongings aside from the necessary ones. If you find something you haven’t used in the past, you should likely dispose of that. And if you’ve even forgotten that you had such an item, it is time to release it. Downsizing aims to make your life simple, so move with only what you need.
3. Do one room at a time
The thought of decluttering or arranging your entire home might be overwhelming, so don’t forget to take it one room at a time. You will possibly complete the entire process if you divide it into several, highly manageable projects. Try to make a plan or schedule divided by room or smaller jobs inside a room to ensure that you remain on track and don’t get tired.
Some of the tasks to handle one at a time could include:
- Check DVDs and video games
- Address the fearful “junk drawer”
- Pick shoes to donate and to keep
- Reduce clothing in your closet
- Face your dresser drawers
- Arrange small kitchen items
Match up pots, pans, and containers with their covers
4. Make a plan to dispose of unwanted goods
After you’ve figured out the belongings that aren’t moving to the new space, you have many options for disposing of them:
- Donate or Freecycle items you don’t need any more to those who do. Local charities often take shoes, clothing, and other household goods that are in good shape. You can also endeavor to post to Freecycle.org or any relevant group.
- Have a garage sale: What you called trash is a treasure to another person. If you are downsizing much of your items before the move, look into the possibility of a garage sale to make additional cash.
- Rent a dumpster:You probably have some of your items in bad condition that is not worth donating or selling. Renting a dumpster is a convenient option if you have many items to downsize and declutter, or if you are disposing of larger household goods, such as tattered furniture or broken appliances.
Pass down to people close to you: Decluttering sentimental belongings is hard especially when it holds years of memories. If you have family heirlooms that are in good shape and would be useful for a family or friend, you can offer them as a gift to them.
5. Digitize documents
Papers are often the scapegoats in cluttered homes, so you need to purge your bills, documents, and paperwork. Lots of items can be disposed and others can turn into digital documents stored on an external hard drive or flash drive. It’s time to let go of those VHS tapes.
6. Choose what to do with large items, such as kitchen appliances or furniture
Leaving out large items from your inventory list will surely lower the overall cost of the move. So when choosing whether to move with them or not, always think of the way it will affect your finances. Furniture pieces, stoves, and refrigerators won’t just increase your inventory list, but they need special packing methods, which may add to the price. That is why finding out the things to do with them is of great importance.
7. Make a pack and no-pack zone in the house
Making packing and no parking areas in the home are among the best organizational tips we can give you. This will make sure you can prevent unnecessary mess and easily follow the progress. In addition, you will know what exactly should be loaded in the moving truck without getting things mixed up. Furthermore, this is among the most effective means for movers to prepare and allow them enough space to move freely across the household. If the halls are filled with boxes, they will not be able to work fast and also be exposed to the danger of injuries because it is difficult to handle heavy items in these conditions.
8. Learn the things movers won’t move and remove them from the packing list
One of the best moving tips when it comes to relocating long distances is to go through all the regulations relevant to the moving of various belongings into the state you are moving to. Since each state has different laws as regards particular pets and plants, in some situations, transporting with some alternative means, such as USPS, will be impossible. In addition, remember that transporting those belongings need special conditions because of their fragile nature, and their safety can be exposed to risk.
9. Avoid overdo
Some people are prone to excessive downsizing than they should. This causes repurchasing of those belongings in the future since they were still needed. Ensure you take inventory of the things you have so you know the things you need. In addition, moving companies have a minimum weight, meaning that getting rid of your mattress may not make sense. Ask for the minimum weights from your movers and make sure you use the entire space and weight you are provided for a certain price.
FAQ about How to Downsize for a Move
When should you commence packing before a move?
You should begin your relocation planning around 2 months from your moving date, start packing two to three weeks before your move-in date, and be done in just less than seven days before.
Should you clean the house before you move?
If you have enough time, you should clean your new space before you move in. This will make it new, fresh and so clean for your move-in day. Those that don’t have the time can hire a cleaning service to take care of the tasks. Thoroughly clean the kitchen including the counters, fridge, cabinets, and stove.
Must I patch nail holes when moving?
Leaving any holes in the walls is worse, so your best option is to patch them home before you vacate the house. You can use the right way to fill nail holes when vacating the house using sandpaper, spackling paste, and paint provided you have enough time and confidence
Conclusion
Downsizing your household can save you money, time, and space, but also, enables you to know how to live a fuller life with little. However, getting ready to downsize your home takes so much effort and planning. Save yourself some time and elbow grease on the next moving process with these helpful tips.
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