Moving? Use These Tips to Downsize Like a Champ
The more you move, the more often you have an opportunity to get rid of your stuff. We have moved people who simply have a room’s worth of belongings, and we have also moved people who have accumulated 30 years of stuff -- the difference is astonishing.
Whether you are sunnyvale moving across the country for a job or it’s time to downsize now that the kids have moved out, downsizing can be a rewarding experience. Oftentimes the trouble starts when you don’t know where to begin.
The more you move, the more often you have an opportunity to get rid of your stuff. We have moved people who simply have a room’s worth of belongings, and we have also moved people who have accumulated 30 years of stuff -- the difference is astonishing.
Whether you are sunnyvale moving across the country for a job or it’s time to downsize now that the kids have moved out, downsizing can be a rewarding experience. Oftentimes the trouble starts when you don’t know where to begin.
It’s amazing how much stuff we can accumulate in a year, let alone 20 or 30. If you’re getting ready to downsize, use these tips to make the most of your time and ensure you get rid of the right stuff and keep the items that have true value. So throw on your cleaning playlist and channel your inner Marie Kondo, it’s time to downsize!
Ditch the Big Stuff
Have you held onto your monstrous sectional due to convenience? Odds are that thing won’t fit into your new home if you’re downsizing. What other items have you held onto because it was the perfect fir for your current home? How about hand me downs? Did you great aunt give you an armoire that just sits gathering dust in the guest room? Consider how much big stuff you have and decide whether you really want to bring those to your new home.
Also think about bedrooms -- are you moving from a 4 bedroom to a 2 bedroom? You may have several beds and dressers to get rid of. Compare your new square footage with your current square footage to decide how many big pieces you can really take with you, then sell the rest.
Appraise Your Valuables
Appraising your items is an excellent way to help you prioritize what items are worth taking with you. Most of your items are easily replaceable, but you may have some heirlooms, art pieces, or treasures you found thrifting that are worth more than you think.
Hire an appraiser to valuate your items before you donate or sell them. If you still don’t want them, you can sell them for good money, which you’ll need as the moving expenses add up.
Address Your Boxes and Junk Drawers
How many boxes have moved with you from place to place, without opening them? This is so common. If you’re downsizing, you’re going to want to open up those boxes and start getting rid of the non-essentials. Are you hanging onto these items because actually going through them seems burdensome? Think of it from a different perspective. You will have less room for superfluous boxes, so you may as well toss or donate the items that are following you around like a ghost.
The same goes with junk drawers. If you’re just tossing everything from your drunk drawer into a box, and then unloading that box into some other drawer in your new home, you’re not really downsizing. Take a good long look in that drawer. Do you really need all those rubber bands? How about those coupons for the pizza place down the street? Unless you plan to use them before you go, give them to someone who will.
Be Mindful of the Small Stuff
It’s tempting to toss and sell the small stuff in your house immediately because, well, it’s just easier than packing it up. But while in some cases it’s better to start over, you don’t want to show up to your new house with nothing to unpack. Keep the appliances that still work well and allow you to continue your daily routine. For example, if you use your blender every day, you’re going to want to bring that with you. Getting rid of all your kitchen and bathroom stuff before you move will only disrupt your daily routine further in your new home.
Give Special Items a New Special Home
Over time, you will accumulate items that have sentimental value, but may no longer fit the aesthetic of your home or simply don’t have a place in it. If it’s something you have a hard time selling, see if a friend or family member has room for it. That way you have access to it if you decide you would like to find a place in your home for it down the line.
Follow the One Year Rule
As you begin decluttering, you will find yourself humming and hawing over items that you don’t use but you don’t want to get rid of. What if you need it for a themed party? You think. Well, the best way to decide whether to keep something is to ask yourself whether you’ve used it in the last year. If you haven’t, then it isn’t worth it.
Consider Your Storage Plan
While there’s probably plenty of items you can get rid of without too much thought, don’t sell and donate everything until you consider your storage options. Do you have an attic, basement or garage at your new place? Are there affordable storage units nearby? If you have storage available for, say 200 sq ft worth of stuff, then make sure to account for that space while packing. You may be able to bring that armoire after all.
Remember: It’s All Just Stuff
If downsizing is proving to be an emotional experience for you, remember: it’s all just stuff. Most of the items you own are easily replaceable, so just make sure you pack the stuff that isn’t. Downsizing can help you reevaluate what is truly important in your life. So as you begin the process, take a second with the stuff that was once important to you but no longer serves a purpose, thank it for it’s time, and let it go.
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