In the earlier stages of life, it often seems like no matter how hard you try you never have enough space. From your college dorm to your first apartment, all you dream of is that big house with a walk-in closet, an exercise room, and a storage room in the basement. However, a larger home comes with more financial and maintenance responsibilities than living in something more modest. While downsizing may seem like a step backwards, it is quite the contrary. The money and time you save can go towards travel, dining out, and many other fun things. But of course the first question that comes to mind before downsizing is, where do I start? Whether you’re moving from a house to a condo or a trading in your two-bedroom apartment for a studio, there are some good first steps to consider.
Start Thinning Out Your Belongings
Take a good, hard look at your possessions and ask yourself what you can’t live without, and what you can get rid of. Take an extra look at places like the kitchen, the garage, and the attic or the basement. If you’re going from a house to a condo, you most likely don’t need multiple shovels or a ladder, and as much as we would like to keep our six mixing bowls they just aren’t necessary. Go through each cupboard, shelf and closet and make a pile of things that you can donate, give to family members, or sell. Be sure to start this process at least a few months before you plan to move. If you are looking for places to donate to, The Salvation Army and Bridging are fantastic organizations that provide furniture, clothes and other household items to those in need and offer free pick up.
Measure Your New Home
Owning a larger home means you naturally have more furniture, and it’s important to see what will or won’t fit. Measure each room as well as your furniture, and consider where doors and windows are located to make the best choices on which furniture to keep. After you’ve taken measurements, create a floor plan to prearrange furniture before moving in; this will prevent you from suddenly realizing two couches won’t fit in your new living room. This goes for new storage areas as well — as much as you would like to keep your child’s old crib, downsizing typically means saying goodbye to items that you really don’t need anymore.
Organize, Organize, Organize
Once you’ve gone through your belongings and your furniture, figure out a system for organizing all of your items. Whether you prefer color coding your boxes, using a numerical system, or labeling by room, keeping track of every single box will make unpacking and organizing your new home infinitely easier. Create separate boxes for storage, and move all of your large items first. Downsizing doesn’t have to be stressful, and the second you’ve rid yourself of years of accumulated stuff you’ll realize how much of a burden it can be to own so many things in such a large house. The time and money you will save on maintenance can now be used to enjoy life in so many different ways. Welcome to living more simply!