Tops Tips for Making Downsizing Easier
Downsizing isn’t just for retirement or the older generation. Lots of people will choose to downsize or will need to for a number of reasons. If you have had a significant pay-cut or are going through a divorce, you might be forced into downsizing. On the flip side, your kids might have flown the nest and you might simply want a smaller place to live.
Whatever your reasons are for downsizing, you will to think about the best way to proceed. Following our top 10 tips will stand you in good stead if you are looking to downsize in the near future.
1. Plan Properly
Buy yourself a folder, make checklists of what needs to be done and keep everything in one place for easy reference. If you need to sell furniture or buy anything for your new place, you can keep store everything in one place and refer to it as and when you need to. It might seem a bit extreme, but taking it seriously will help to make sure the whole process runs smoothly.
2. Don’t Rush
Don’t become too overwhelmed by the task at hand to the point where you start rushing. If you plan far enough in advance, you won’t need to rush and things won’t be missed or go wrong. As soon as things become rushed they can become overwhelming and you will start to question your reasons for doing what you are doing.
3. Compare Size
Think about how much you will need to get rid of, considering the size of your new downsized place in comparison to your current home. Large pieces of furniture will need to be measured and you’ll need to think about whether they will fit or if they are needed in your new pad. You might be able to pick up a few quid for them if they won’t fit, giving you some extra spending money for new furniture to enhance your new home-to-be.
Don’t try and squeeze large furniture into smaller spaces just because you don’t want to part with it. You’re better off letting go and trying to make your new home look more spacious, especially as it will be smaller.
4. De-cluttering
De-cluttering is key with any type of move. Work out what you want to keep and what you want to take with you.
The charity shops can come in really handy for goods that you don’t use anymore but mightn’t be worth much. For anything else that might be old, damaged or not needed, the tip is a good place to start. De-clutter as much as possible so that your new home doesn’t become full of things you don’t need.
5. Don’t neglect the loft / shed
It might seem safe to leave the shed, loft or any outbuilding areas until last, but there are often the hardest and most cluttered. By tackling the hardest jobs first, you will make the whole process much easier, rather than neglecting the things you don’t want to do.
You might even strike gold with any electrical appliances you may no longer need, such as a lawn mower.
6. Get Rid
Be ruthless with stuff you don’t need or have never used. Things like spare bed sheets, old curtains and towels that have been locked away and never used can go the distance.
Moving to a new house is a good time to change as well - out with the old and in with the new. Your old sheets and curtains might not match the décor in your new place, so bear thought to this before you take stuff with you. If you don’t think you’ll need it, don’t take it ‘just in case’, get rid of it and enjoy having more space in your new home.
7. Multi-use Rooms
Think about how a room can be used for a number of things in your new home. Can your kitchen incorporate a dining area or can a second bedroom be used as an office as well? The key to multi-use rooms is to keep them tidy, which is where storage can come in handy.
8. Consider Built-in Storage
Built-in storage can come in extremely handy, no matter how big or small your home is. Storing items effectively is the key to having a tidy home, so consider having built-in storage wherever you can.
Bathroom storage can be useful for things like toiletries, bathroom cleaning products, spare toilet rolls and even towels. The right storage will be truly effective when it comes to making your new home look neat and tidy.
In the bedroom, consider
sliding wardrobes to save space and keep the room looking neat and tidy. The wardrobe interior can be segmented to keep your clothes and personal belongings separate. For all the items you couldn’t part way with, a sliding wardrobe will be an ideal storage solution to keep things organised effectively and tucked out of sight.
9. Leave Books & Paper Until Last
Leave things like books and paper until last and sort through them one box at a time. Often, photos are hard to get rid of, so you’ll want to take your time and make sure you are making the right decision. You and your partner might disagree on what to keep and what to get rid of, so it’s best to do this together and not make any rash decisions.
