We all have different reasons for moving into a smaller home – a shift to a minimalist lifestyle, lesser maintenance costs, easier upkeep, etc. – and there are definitely more advantages than disadvantages to doing it.
The biggest challenge, and maybe the first step to some, is the mental adjustment needed in getting used to a smaller space.
We’re used to buying and acquiring things to fill up space as opposed to reducing and discarding things to fit into a small home. Filling up space doesn’t require much thinking (it usually just happens) while reducing is strenuous, both physically and mentally, requiring thorough planning to have it done right.
Here is a small guide to make the downsizing journey easier to manage.
START WITH THE OBVIOUS THINGS FIRST
The very first thing to do once you’ve mentally adjusted is to get all of your things organized and sort them.
Start with the most obvious ones to make the process easier – broken appliances, unused/outdated clothes, unused/damaged books, things that can’t be sold or given away, and anything else that you know has no sentimental or monetary value.
SEARCH FOR SPACE-SAVING TIPS ON THE INTERNET
If you’re looking to maximize the space and hope to keep as much of your things as possible, the internet offers multitudes of ways how you’ll be able to achieve this.
There are many blogs and other content on the internet that talk about the best ways to arrange your things in a small space. This will save you time and effort, and lessen your chances of doing things wrong.
TAKE MEASUREMENTS
Since you’re being limited to a smaller space, knowing how much you could fit and which things you can bring to your new home will save you a lot of time. This will greatly help with the sorting process as well and anything that won’t fit into the new home will automatically go into the “Discard” group – making it easier for you to decide on which things to let go of.
DONATE AND DISTRIBUTE
The best thing to do about items that are undamaged and/or still functional, but won’t be brought into your new home, is to sell them! There’s no better way to let go of things than by exchanging them for money. Additionally, what you earn from having a garage sale may even help you with the costs associated with moving.
For things that can’t be sold, you can instead donate these to people who would be very happy to have them. Ask your friends and relatives if any of them would be interested!
INVEST IN SPACE-SAVING/MULTI-PURPOSE FURNITURE
Fortunately for you, the minimalist movement has inspired society to innovate on space-saving and multipurpose furniture – chairs that also work as storage, couches that can turn into beds, foldable tables, etc. These would indicate additional costs but if your budget permits, it would greatly help you in managing your new space and let you fit more things in.
Additionally, if the new home is yours, install sliding doors! They don’t require the massive floor space that traditional swinging doors do, thus providing more space for your things, and they do not block the doorway so they’re safer as well.
RENT STORAGE AS A LAST RESORT
If the moving date is coming close and you still haven’t finished deciding on the items you’ll be discarding/donating, the best solution is to rent a storage unit! This will be a recurring additional cost but it will definitely give you more time to ruminate about what to do with your remaining possessions.
Read our blog on “Decluttering Tips Before Moving House” to help you with organising your things!
Read it here: https://thecleanlife.com.au/decluttering-tips-before-moving-house
