Before you start packing, you'll need to inventory your belongings. Then, start cleaning up the mess in 3 easy steps. First, set a schedule and objectives for your project. Then, create a classification system to review your belongings.
Once you've decided what to keep and what to part with, you can clear your house of clutter. Find more expert tips on organizing and tidying room by room in our ridiculously comprehensive home cleaning guide. When considering a storage unit, multiply the cost by a year or two and decide if the sentimental items are worth keeping. We recently cleaned my husband's parents' unit, and they had paid $10,000 to store things nobody wanted.
They had gotten so dirty that they had to be thrown away, and what was left, we sold for a couple of hundred dollars. They had been paying for 20 years. But before making a move, a lot of work has to be done to reduce staff, including the tedious process of deciding which of your possessions to keep and which to give away. This includes items that give you pleasure or that have sentimental value.
He said the art you hang on the wall is important for creating a sense of home in your new space. Shinn suggested taking the money they would have paid for storage and putting it in the bank every month. Then, when the granddaughter turned 20, they could give her the money and buy the dining set she wanted. But, of course, this advice also goes the other way.
Census data on new homes built in the past decade show that the average square foot has declined in the past six years. According to research from the real estate site Trulia, more homeowners would prefer to move to a smaller home than a larger one (37% compared to 23%). It's important to consider these options when downsizing, as they could change your mind about keeping or selling certain items. If you're moving everything yourself, a 300-pound porcelain cabinet might be better suited for the consignment store to avoid discomfort and the risk of injury.
If you're paying for a full service, you might be more inclined to stick with it but keep in mind that items this heavy increase the price. A simple idea to reduce the size of your home is to eliminate duplicate items. Remove excess plates, wall art, baskets and bins, and other unnecessary multiples to focus on the things you need. Since you'll have less space, choose your favorites and donate, sell, or throw away the rest.
Things get complicated when you reduce the space but not the rooms, for example, from a 1,800-square-foot, three-bedroom house to a 1,200-square-foot three-bedroom home. You may need all the furniture in your bedroom, but you may need help placing all the furniture in your living room or dining room. Look closely at the plan of your new space or take a tour with a measuring tape to get an accurate idea of where you can place the tables, chairs, and sofas. You might realize you can keep your dining table, but you need to sell your breakfast table.
You may find you can keep your couch and a chair, but it's time to give away your two-seater sofa. There are many places where you can donate your used furniture. Nobody rents a storage unit thinking to themselves: “I intend to continue paying this rent for the next ten years. However, that often happens.
There shouldn't be a fifth storage pile. If you don't move it to your new home, you should sell it, donate it, or throw it away. For sentimental possessions you no longer use but can't bear the thought of getting rid of, consider giving them to a friend or family member. For example, that jumpsuit your 11-year-old son used to wear as a baby can be for his niece or nephew to keep in the family and continue operating.
You can also take (digital) photos to remember them using. Downsizing can be difficult for some people who want to stay the same or have gotten used to their home, but there are many advantages and opportunities. Whether you have an empty nest, are downsizing for financial reasons, or want less maintenance, it's critical to be smart about downsizing. If you're downsizing your staff due to a divorce or a change in your financial circumstances, it can be frustrating to deal with a smaller space than you're used to.
Shinn shared 11 steps that everyone should take before reducing their size, and it's a useful lesson for anyone who wants to part with things they don't need. Organizing things is difficult, so take more time than you think you'll need to plan the move and reduce the size of your belongings. If you reduce your staff in the future, you can choose a property that better suits your needs as you age. Most people go through a downsizing process at some point, whether it's because they're moving to a new city, having children who move, are going through a divorce or a breakup, are getting older, or want to simplify their lifestyle.
Determining where to start when you need to downsize your house quickly shouldn't be stressful, and it doesn't have to be when working with a top-tier agent. Whether planning a small package or already halfway there, you can use a simple four-battery system to make your work much more manageable. There's no real need to downsize if you're opposed to the idea, but it can often offer a better quality of life with the money you earn from selling. Fortunately, we have plenty of tips (and a free downsizing checklist) for making wise decisions throughout the downsizing process.
Inevitably, most people will have problems with nostalgia when they reach a point where it's time to downsize.
