A bigger home isn’t always better. In fact, downsizing can have many benefits from reducing costs to enabling you to get around your home more easily. Of course, moving to a smaller home comes with its challenges such as having to declutter and get used to more minimalistic living. Below are some important dos and don’ts to ensure that your downsizing experience is a success.
Do…
Keep sight of your downsizing goals
When looking for a smaller property to move into, it’s important to prioritize your goals. Are you looking to save money? Are you looking for a home that’s more practical for negotiating with mobility issues? Consider other factors like the location, the condition of the building and accessibility could be as important to your goal as moving to a smaller home.
Consider using self-storage
Renting out a storage unit could give you space to store possessions that you may not have space for in your new home. Just make sure to be sensible about which items you keep in self-storage. Storing valuable items to eventually sell or pass down to loved ones could have its benefits, as could storing seasonal equipment or hobby equipment, but you don’t want to store useless clutter here.
Hire a removals company
Using a removals company when moving home can take away a lot of the stress. A moving company may also be able to relocate all your belongings in less journeys, while also handling it carefully to reduce the risk of damage.
Give yourself plenty of time to prepare
Giving yourself lots of time in the lead up to moving could allow you to thoroughly sort through your possessions – including finding places to donate and sell items. Rushing the process may force you to take loads of unwanted stuff with you.
Don’t…
Go too small for your needs
When moving to a smaller property, don’t sacrifice too much space to the point that it greatly hinders your lifestyle. If you have kids, they will still need their own bedroom spaces. If you have pets, make sure you have enough space for them to live. If you work from home, you will need a space where you can comfortably work.
Throw away items that could be sold or donated
As you’re decluttering your home in preparation for downsizing, make sure to consider the value of items. Some items could sell for quite a lot or could be useful to someone else. Don’t just throw these items away.
Forget to take measurements
It’s essential that you take measurements of your new property so that you know which furniture will be able to fit. You don’t want to go to the hassle of moving a sofa or dining table, only to realise it won’t fit in your home. Planning ahead can allow you to shop for new furniture.
Try to take everything with you
Unless you already live a very minimalistic lifestyle, it is likely that you will own too much stuff to fit into your new home. Therefore you need to be prepared to sacrifice some belongings. Be realistic about what you can feasibly take with you without your new home becoming cluttered.
Conclusion
Downsizing requires a lot of preparation. It also requires making the right sacrifices. By considering the above dos and don’ts, you can prepare properly and make the correct sacrifices.
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