How to downsize your home before a move is one of the most common questions while contemplating relocation. When you move into a home you start adding furniture pieces, décor, and extra items to fill your big home. The longer you live in a home, the more things you accrue.
If you are planning on moving to a smaller home you might want to consider purging all of your belongings, furniture and your storage to ensure all of it fits into your smaller home.
1. Go through closets
Look at your closet….do you actually wear all of your clothes? Really consider if you need the clothes that you have in your closet. It might be time to downsize your wardrobe and get rid of all of the items in your that you no longer need!
You can give away your clothes to Goodwill or other second-hand stores. There may be even clothes that are too distressed to give away so you can consider just throwing them away.
2. Purge garage
How much in your garage do you actually use? It is time to stop saying, “maybe someday I will need this” and start getting rid of things. Take a look at things and ask yourself honestly if you will indeed need the items sitting in your garage, shed or attic.
For example:
- Bikes: Do you ride your bike? Are you planning on riding your bike? Do you have bikes that are broken? Are there bikes that your children have outgrown?
- Camping gear: Do you actually plan on using all of the camping gear that you have stuffed in the back of the garage or attic?
- Exercise equipment: What kind of exercise equipment have you bought that you have never used? Is there an exercise bike, treadmill or free weights just collecting dust?
- Old Supplies: Have you ever needed a new item, so you purchased a new item, then you never got rid of the old item? So, now you have two of the same item? That actually occurs quite a bit. Just get rid of the old item!
3. Know your new home
There are many things in your current home that you will not need in your new place. Think about your new home and determine what you may or may not need.
For example:
- Lawn Equipment: Are you moving to a home without a yard, or a much smaller yard?
- Snow Gear: Are you moving to a warmer climate and you don’t need all of your snow supplies. If you are moving from New Hampshire to Texas you could probably get rid of most of your snow equipment like shovels.
4. Pay attention to your furniture
Think about all of the furniture in your home. Many people purchase their furniture to specifically fit the unique layout of their current home. Consider getting rid of all of your furniture and purchasing new furniture that will fit your downsized home.
5. Consider a Storage Unit
Depending on the size of your new home you could consider renting out a storage unit to keep collections, family treasures or other things that you want to keep safe but don’t necessarily need in your home at all times. Therefore, you could downsize your home without feeling like you have to get rid of your family heirlooms.
6. Don’t Over Save for the Next Generation
Many people (especially the older generation) keep many items to pass down to their children when they are no longer around. Don’t assume that your children and grandchildren will like some of your belongings.
Something might mean a lot to you, so you keep on to it for years assuming your kids will enjoy it, then they just give it away when you die. When you are about to downsize your home you should straight out ask your children what they do and don’t want. Also, don’t get offended if they don’t want to keep something.
7. Purge Paperwork
It is time to go through all of your files, folders, and drawers and recycle/shred papers that you no longer need. You may not need a receipt from 30 years ago. Ask yourself, will I ever need this again?
8. Ask Your Kids to Purge Rooms
Things that mean nothing to you might mean a lot to your children. Make sure that you aren’t purging your kids’ rooms for them. Set up boxes where they can give things away, keep, or throw away.
Contact College Bound Movers
If you are planning on moving to a small home in New Hampshire you can contact College Bound Movers. You can discuss with us all about our moving and packing services.
