If you’re used to living in large spaces, then downsizing can significantly change your living conditions. But if you’ve made the change, you’ll find that things are much easier to manage, especially if you’re considering moving into a smaller space to lessen maintenance stress. Here are some unique ways to help you prepare for the move into smaller areas and best practices to make things as smooth as possible.
Benefits of Downsizing
Downsizing encourages a minimalist lifestyle by having less space and fewer things to maintain. You can downsize your home at any stage of your life, depending on individual preference and how attached you are to your physical items and space. Most seniors aged 40 to 50 consider downsizing as they get closer to retirement, so household maintenance is less burdensome. Living in a small home can also reduce mortgage payments and property taxes.
Financial Considerations
The main reasons for moving usually include financial and opting for a more minimalist lifestyle. Some other considerations must be made if you are downsizing and moving into a smaller space to minimise living expenses. There can be things that may cost more money as you transition. The major one can be the new home furnishes. Also, if you want to sell your old home, some repairs are required before you sell. Ensure that you consider these expenses before proceeding.
Hire Removalists
If you’re moving and downsizing, it can be challenging to do everything yourself, especially if you don’t have the hands to assist or large vehicles that can store furniture. If you find yourself in this situation, hiring removalists is best. There are many to choose from, with removalists in Toorak and across Melbourne. Help is always on hand if required.
Declutter Your Space
Keep Essential Items
Downsizing is an excellent opportunity to focus on what you care about the most. Many items in your home are taking up unnecessary space and are useless. Downsizing is the best way to decide what to cut or keep. Take time to carefully consider what absolute necessities are and what can be thrown out. If you have items that are getting old, it might even be better to replace these items.
Remove Items Not Used Regularly
If you have a large home, you would most likely have items in storage that you haven’t looked at for years. Some of these items may be old and unused, or some things may need repair. You might even have a book collection that would be better served as a library donation. It’s wise to look at any items you haven’t used and simply remove or donate them. It might make sense to keep these things if you’re living in larger spaces, but it doesn’t make much sense in smaller apartments. It’s better to decide to either trash or donate these unused items rather than dwell on them.
Sell Items You Don’t Need
If you have time and patience, you can sell your unused items if you need some extra cash in your back pocket. It’s also better to give your items a new home rather than throwing things in landfill, creating more waste. Nowadays, it’s easy to get on eBay, Gumtree or Facebook marketplace to sell and list items.
Plan Furniture for your New Home
If you’re moving, you should measure your furniture to determine if it will fit in your new house, especially if the room sizes between houses are significantly different. If your current furniture doesn’t fit your new home, you must consider it carefully. You will most likely have to purchase new furniture, which is more work in itself, make sure you decide on something suitable. If you’re opting for downsizing, you should focus on small and lightweight furniture.
Sentimental Items
In the process of downsizing, you may find items you are attached to emotionally and fail to decide what to do with these items. It’s better to wait it out and save it as the last task to do. When you choose, you should have more clarity of mind after waiting. Make the decision depending on how much space is in the new house and how much you treasure the items. These decisions can be difficult, but this can also be an excellent time to determine what is truly important.
Final Verdict
Leaving and moving on from a space where you had years of life and memorable experiences can be difficult. Don’t feel guilty for spending time to treasure your memories, as moving can be an emotional experience. These changes will, however, improve your life after decluttering and downsizing, as it has for many others.
