Whether you’re downsizing to a smaller home or moving from a house to an apartment, you may find it challenging to get rid of your things or store them appropriately. But downsizing can be the right thing to do if you want to save money or reduce the amount of unnecessary space.
Moving From a House to an Apartment: How to Downsize
Downsizing to a smaller home can be a challenging but rewarding process, especially if you’re moving from a house to an apartment.
Here are some tips for dealing with furniture and clutter.
Start as Soon as Possible
Begin decluttering and downsizing as soon as you decide to move. This will give you plenty of time to sort through your belongings and make decisions about what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. You should consider what organizational method you’ll use, such as the KonMari.
You should also take this time to compare moving companies if you’ve decided when you’ll move. On websites like 9Kilo Moving, you can compare quotes from national household movers instantly. Opt for a company that offers insurance and has plenty of good or 5-star reviews.
Consider Your New Lifestyle
Determine how much space you’ll have in your new home and create a floor plan to help you visualize where everything will go. If you have items that you can’t part with but don’t have room for in your new apartment, consider using a storage unit or renting a locker for the time being.
But besides taking measurements of your new place, you should also consider the big picture. Downsizing gives you a chance to reset and understanding your main reason for moving can help you plan and feel excited about the process. It can also help you set some ground rules.
Set Your Decluttering Ground Rules
The thought of decluttering or organizing your entire house might feel stressful, so make it easier on yourself and focus on one room at a time. However, don’t forget to set decluttering ground rules before you start the process. Otherwise, you may hold on to too many things.
When sorting through your things, be honest with yourself about what you really need and use before considering the size and function of each item in relation to your new home. Then, decide if you want to keep the item, donate or sell it, trash it, or pass it down or memorialize it.
Sell, Donate, or Pass it Down
Consider selling items that you no longer need or want through online marketplaces, estate sales, or consignment shops. Donate items that are in good condition to a thrift store or charitable organization. Unfortunately, deciding what to do with sentimental items will be hard.
Some sentimental items won’t fit in your new place, but you don’t have to trash them. Ask a close friend or family member to store them at their house. If you think you’ll miss having this item around, memorize it with a picture and/or scan it on your computer and save it in a folder.
Discard or Trash Items Responsibly
Dispose of items that are broken, worn out, or no longer usable in an eco-friendly, responsible way. Be sure to recycle or properly dispose of hazardous materials, like batteries or chemicals. If you have extra medication lying around, take them to the pharmacy, so they can trash it.
Bigger items should always be sent to the dump, not tossed at the side of the road. If you can break down larger items, like furniture, then public garbage collectors may take them. When you can’t do so, rent a garbage bin or a moving truck specifically to take everything to the dump.