When your house just has more space than you know what to do with, it’s time to let go and find somewhere smaller. This means that you’ll be paying less every month and that you’ll have less maintenance to do. Moving to a smaller home means downsizing, though—a prospect many people don’t enjoy the thought of. We’ll give you a few tips for downsizing to a smaller home so that it becomes less of a hassle.
Start as Early as Possible
The last thing you want is to be scrambling around at the last minute before the move, desperately trying to make decisions about what stays and what goes. You’re going to want to begin the downsizing process as early as you can. This will reduce the pressure you feel to make the hard decisions about what to get rid of.
Get Rid of Any Duplicates
One of the easiest tips for downsizing to a smaller home is to get rid of anything you have more than one of. If you’re cleaning out a larger estate, you’ll probably find these items quite often. Some common items people tend to have duplicates of include:
- Kitchen utensils
- Pots and pans
- Towels
- Clothing
- Chairs
- Sheets
You don’t really need more than a few of these items, especially if you’re going to live in a smaller home. The duplicates will only take up space you can’t afford to spare.
Don’t Wait on the Tough Decisions
For the items you’re unsure about getting rid of, you don’t want to leave those decisions until the end of your move. Sort items into “Keep” and “Don’t Keep” categories; having a “Maybe” pile will only make things more complicated in the long run. If you come across something you’re unsure about, take some time to mull it over before you move on. Not having a huge pile of “Maybes” will be a load off your mind.
Give Away or Donate Things
You don’t have to throw everything you decide not to keep in the trash. Maybe you have an antique table or a collection of knickknacks that you just can’t throw away. These kinds of items are perfect for giving to family and other loved ones as gifts. If it’s something you know your circle won’t enjoy, consider donating it to charity to give it a new life somewhere it’s needed more.