Letting go of your belongings can be a challenge, but downsizing your home can save you a great deal of time and stress when you’re moving. Whether you’re moving somewhere smaller, or you simply want to cut down on clutter, this process will help you figure out the things that really matter to you and what things need to go. Downsizing your home takes time and effort, but it can pay off big time in the long run.
Affordable Quality Moving and Storage has put together some tips to help you downsize your home before your move.
Get a Head Start
Starting early is one of the best approaches to any move – and most tasks, for that matter. You can get a jump start on downsizing your home by starting the decluttering process early, by packing seasonal items or things you know you won’t need before you move, and even by researching what method of reorganization and downsizing you want to use. The earlier you start, the easier it will be to spread the work out over time, and the less likely it will be that you’ll have last-minute moving tasks to contend with. Overall, downsizing your home can be less stressful when you get a head start.
Know How Much Space You Have to Work With
First things first: know how much space you’re working with. It’s helpful to calculate the total space in your new home because it will help you know how much you can take and where your stuff will end up. By understanding the amount of space that you have, you will be able to put every inch to use.
You should calculate all the areas of your new home, including:
- Attic storage
- Basement storage
- Bike storage
- Built-in shelving areas
- Closets
- Kitchen cabinets
Measure Your Furniture
Knowing your furniture’s dimensions means you’re not eyeballing it when you move. Get the floor plan of your new place and measure your current furniture. Once you’ve done that, use your floorplan to figure out where your furniture is going to fit. Pieces that won’t fit or pieces that you don’t like can be sold or donated before moving day comes.
If there are pieces that you want to keep but won’t fit in your smaller place, then you might want to consider storing them in a secure storage facility. We can help you store family heirlooms, valuable furniture, or items that you’re simply not ready to let go of yet.
Focus on One Room at a Time
Focusing on too many things at once can be confusing and overwhelming. For many people, it’s harder to be productive while juggling multiple things at a time. When you narrow your focus to one room or one type of item, downsizing your home can be that much easier.
Go room by room, or focus on one category of belongings at a time. Pick an approach and stick with it, going through your home to downsize and declutter. You may find that it’s not as daunting a task as you thought!
Get Rid of Old or Unused Items
Moving into a smaller space is the perfect opportunity to get rid of unnecessary junk. This includes clothing that you no longer wear, books you don't like, outdated electronics, or other items you rarely use. By decluttering, you're making space for the things that are valuable to you. Doing this will also limit your chances of running out of storage space when you start unpacking in your new home. Knowing this, start with your closet and dressers.
You’ll want to create two separate piles for clothing: items you will keep and others you will donate. Once you’ve sorted through your wardrobe, it’s time to move on to your trinkets: save your very sentimental treasures and part with those that don’t hold much personal value.
Organize Before You Pack
In preparation for the packing process, organize your possessions according to where they'll go in the new place. You can pack strategically by planning what items will go into each room and area. This will make the unpacking and organizing process much easier for you. Knowing exactly where your belongings will end up will also help you evaluate what you really need. You might realize that there isn’t a good place for something in your new home. Knowing this beforehand gives you the chance to sell or donate these extra items before they take up valuable space in your moving truck.
Use Creative Storage Solutions
Moving into a smaller space requires getting creative with your storage. Building platforms, installing hooks, and utilizing the full height of your new home are effective ways to increase the amount of storage space you have. A professional closet and pantry organizer can also help you use your space efficiently.
Here are some ways to boost your storage space and reduce clutter:
- Raise your bed and add organization bins underneath
- Hang your bike on a wall
- Use hooks to hang pots and pans
Outsource Your Storage
If you are struggling with what items you want to get rid of, renting a storage unit is always an option. A storage unit can be handy to keep seasonal supplies, appliances, or furniture. Although you will have to make monthly payments to rent a storage unit, it's a good option for keeping valuables that do not fit in your new home. When you opt to keep your items at a professional storage facility, not only will that make your move much smoother, but it will give you peace of mind, knowing that they’ll be safe and secure at all times.
Downsizing before moving can be tough. Packing and organizing for the relocation into a smaller space is an overwhelming process. Let our expert movers help you pack, transport, and organize your belongings to make your moving process as stress-free as possible!
Contact our Southern California movers today at (661) 622-2636 for a free in-home quote. We have locations in Santa Clarita, Temecula, San Diego, and Burbank to serve customers throughout SoCal!
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