Downsizing 101: Tips To Help Clear the Clutter
Moving from a four thousand square foot home to a two thousand square foot home can seem like a definite chore. Many find that the greatest task in downsizing is not finding the perfect home with a master on the first floor, but rather letting go of those things that they simply can’t bring with them
into their new place. With a little bit out help, downsizing the clutter can be an easy process.
What Will Fit?
The first thing that downsizers must ask themselves is what exactly will fit in their next home. This is a great time for them to bust out the measuring tape and measure important pieces such as the sofa, big screen TV, end tables, the coffee table and all other pieces of furniture that they would like to go into their new space. If there is no way for them to fit what they currently own into there new home, something will have to give. When downsizing, certain pieces can be chosen while others are sold or given away, or the movers can opt to get rid of all their furniture and scale down to smaller pieces.
What is Needed?
Now, most of the time, a lot of junk can fit into a smaller space, but the question is, how much of it is truly needed. Just because the table that seats 10 currently sitting in the formal dining room belonged to Great Aunt Sally doesn’t make it any more appropriate for the new eat-in kitchen. It is important in this stage of determining what is needed vs. what is wanted to focus on what will be functional in the new place.
Sort Into Categories
So what can be done when there are so many items to be gone through? After determining what can fit in the new place and what is actually needed, the next step is to sort. Though the sorting categories will vary from family to family, examples include “Yard Sale,” “Donate,” “Auction,” and “Give to Other Family Members.” Sorting into boxes and labeling appropriately will make this an easier task. Remember not to overload boxes as the heavier they are, the harder they are to move!
Asking For Help
The key element to making this process easier is to ask for help. This is especially true for empty-nesters who have children that can help them with this task. Often, the children may see things that they can use in their homes, which is a great way to keep some of those special pieces in the family.
