Tips for Downsizing Your Home

Having to move house is one of the most stressful things we ever do in life, and most people dread the idea of moving. However, if you’re downsizing too, such as to a smaller home after your kids have moved away or to an apartment when you’re older, it can be even more challenging.

There are things you can do to make the process a little easier, though. Read on for some tips for downsizing your home you can follow in 2019.

Plan Ahead

The more planning you do in advance, the better. KRS Property Management experts suggest that you start by working out what your future lifestyle needs will be, so you find the right kind of downsized property for you. It’s not just about getting a smaller house, after all; you could need something that is closer to public transport links, shops, restaurants, and other services, and/or you may require a property that has access to healthcare services or something else.

Planning is also important because you need to allow yourself plenty of time to make the move. You must find a new property, reduce your amount of belongings, make the actual move (especially if you’re going to a different city or state), and even mentally prepare. The sooner you start planning your downsizing, the easier it should be for you as there’s nothing worse than having to move on a tight timeframe.

Utilize Helpers to Make the Move Easier

Remember that you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Moving is stressful and tiring enough, so get some outside help to simplify things. For example, there are lots of affordable, qualified movers who can not only do the heavy lifting for you and transport all your goods safely but also help you to pack up your home and unpack your possessions at the other end. For example, professional movers can make the job of downsizing less challenging.

Inventory Your Belongings Then Cull

One of the biggest challenges of downsizing is, for most people, the need to get rid of a lot of belongings. To do this effectively, first inventory your possessions. Go through your entire house, plus garages and sheds, to work out what you currently have. This will make you aware of how much effort is going to be involved. Plus, make sure you’re clear about the size of the property you’re moving to. Measure each room, so you can more easily decipher what will and won’t fit.

When it comes to culling items, you’re sure to find you have many duplicates you can sell, donate, give to family and friends, or recycle, such as beds, cupboards, and desks. Most people have too much linen and way too many kitchen items, too, plus lots of books, magazines, collectibles, and art that they no longer need, use, or love.

If you struggle to know which possessions to keep as you declutter, think about what you would buy again if you suddenly lost everything. This is a good indication of what’s actually important to you. Other ways to decide include considering the one-year rule (where you get rid of anything you haven’t used in the last 12 months) and getting the opinion of an objective outsider, such as a family member or close friend, as to whether or not it’s practical to hold onto something.

Another tip is to eliminate as many large pieces of furniture as you can, as your new home likely won’t be able to fit them. For instance, you probably have a big couch that was designed to fit a whole family, a huge dining room table, and lots of garden equipment that you won’t need anymore if you’re moving to a place with a little garden or lawn.

When it comes to choosing what to keep, hold onto quality items built to last unless they’re way too cumbersome. Try to digitize as many things as you can, too, such as documents and photographs, so there is less to move.

Multifunction pieces are also handy to have as they can do double duty in smaller spaces. For example, coffee tables that can rise up to be desks, extendable dining room tables that can be kept to a small size unless extra seating capacity is needed, beds with built-in storage, ottomans, and coffee tables that can also hold books, magazines, or wine bottles and fold-out sofas that can offer guest sleeping possibilities if required.