There are several reasons why it’s a smart idea to switch to a smaller home. Depending on your living situation, you may not need that much space anymore. Also, maintaining a big house is quite demanding. It requires time, energy, and money to keep your home in good condition. That becomes too much of a burden for some people so they decide to find a smaller place to live. However, the process of downsizing is not that simple. There are certain steps to follow so you can continue living just as comfortably but with fewer items. To find the best moving company, you might need to do a lot of research. To make your task easy and find the best Bayonne moving company, do an internet search for “Vector Movers”.
Accept the changes in your lifestyle
Very often, people want or are forced to downsize, forgetting one big step. That is mentally preparing for the new lifestyle that downsizing brings. Moving to a new, smaller home will come with certain changes in your daily routines, and you’ll also have to adapt to the new space and its new limits. Smaller spaces aren’t necessarily uncomfortable or impractical. However, you need to stop comparing it to your old home and get the most out of your new, smaller living space. Make sure you understand the reason why you’re downsizing and the final goal of this project. This will help you be more positive about the whole thing and feel good in your home.
Have a plan and start early
Like any other process of making significant changes, downsizing also requires proper planning and time. It’s best to start as early as possible – preferably once you decide to move. This will help you avoid common moving stress and doing things in a rush in case you leave everything for the last minute. You’ll need roughly three months to declutter and prepare your home for the move without feeling rushed or hectic about it.
When it comes to strategy, choose whatever pace you like, but try to stick to it. You can declutter room by room or by categories of items. Do this at a steady pace – for example, do one shelf/drawer per day.
Know where each item goes
One of the best strategies for downsizing your home is to sort all of the items into categories. Once you decide that an item should not go with you to the new home, put it in the right category. Use boxes/bins to separate things you want to donate, give away to friends/family, sell or recycle. This will undoubtedly make your downsizing process a lot more organized and faster.
Compare the floor plans
There will be some pieces of furniture or appliances you’ll want to bring to the new house, but they simply don’t fit. To avoid space issues after you move, make sure you compare the old and new floor plans, know the exact square footage of your rooms and take measurements of bigger items. This will ensure you notice if any of the items don’t fit anymore, so you can start looking for a smaller replacement. Luckily, most home items come in so many slimmer/smaller variants, so you won’t have trouble finding more space-efficient replacements for your bulky furniture or any other pieces.
Bonus tip: purchasing new items can also save you money when moving. If you sell the old pieces before you move and order new items to be delivered after you relocate, you can minimize your moving costs. However, even though saving money on this move is important, don’t go for the cheapest option out there. Do the research and some background check on your moving team before you can make sure you rely on them. Sometimes, extremely low prices are just another red flag for a moving scam!
Use technology for your move to a smaller home
You should take decluttering very seriously. Any item that’s not been used for a long time, anything that’s broken, damaged, outdated, etc., should go to one of the bins we mentioned before. However, it’s very difficult to deal with items that bring sentimental value. Even though we’re aware that they just take up unnecessary space, it’s hard to let them go. But you can use technology to scan, take pictures and upload certain memories and therefore free up some space. It’s an easy way to preserve old photos and other memories and move to a smaller home.
Get storage outside your new home
Storage units have proven to be a very efficient solution for people moving into smaller homes. This can be a relatively simple, inexpensive way to keep items you don’t need too often outside your new house. However, don’t waste money on large storage space. Declutter before putting things you really need there, and keep it organized and tidy for easier access.
Be practical and creative
Lack of space is the time when we become quite creative with our storage. When buying new furniture, go for multi-purpose pieces—a coffee table with built-in storage, items that can be easily folded when not in use, etc. Maximize the space in your home and make it comfortable and enjoyable at the same time.
It’s true that when you need to downsize and move to a smaller home, your lifestyle may change a bit. However, when you see all the reasons and benefits behind it, it’s worth the effort. Give yourself time to adapt, and don’t worry if it doesn’t go as fast as you might expect. The new house takes time to become a home, so be patient!
