No matter where you’re at in life, there are benefits to downsizing. Having a ton of stuff can really feel like a burden and not light. In our latest post, we discuss easy ways to downsize your house without all the stress.
Over time, people tend to accumulate a lot of stuff in their houses. Generally, people buy larger houses to accommodate a growing family. But as the years pass and the kids eventually move out on their own, they find they are living in a house that is too large and filled with too much stuff to manage. Below we offer some great tips for downsizing, making it easier to sell when you are ready.
Tip #1 – The One Year Rule
This is a popular tip for clothing where you take a look at all the things that you haven’t worn in over a year and get rid of them. While you might have one or two sentimental items, try to keep these to a minimum. You can do this with other things or places in your home as well. Think kitchen gadgets, craft supplies, old DVD’s, and so on. If you haven’t used it in the past year, the odds are pretty low that it will get any use in the future.
Tip #2 – Repurpose And Give
I’m sure that you have quite a few items that have sentimental value to you. A few of these items is great, but too many can really start to weigh you down. Maybe your kids or grandkids would love to have your old Christmas ornaments that are lying around in the closet. But old toys, kitchen appliances, etc may find better use in a new loving home. This way you can find joy in knowing they are being used and loved, without taking up storage space in your house.
Tip #3 – Look Through All The Boxes
This may seem like a lot of extra work, but you would be surprised by all of the random things laying around that you haven’t used in a long time. They will only end up keeping one or two things, giving away or throwing away the rest. Take a look! You may be surprised by what you find.
Tip #4 – Assess Your Furniture
A space starts to feel very cluttered when large items fill up a room. Do you really need a massive sectional couch. How about that oversized dining room table? You can ditch the entertainment center, and instead, hang the TV up on a wall. You can opt for a smaller couch, dining table, etc. You can probably even sell these things and get the money to buy items that will fit your space better.
Tip #5 – Digitize Where It Makes Sense
Piles of papers all over the house. Does this sound familiar? It seems we all have a stack of papers (or 5) that we are going to get around to dealing with. This is a great time to digitally file or shred those old papers. What is the likelihood that you’re ever going to re-read all of those old items anyways?
Tip #6 – Get Rid Of The Dupes
Do you need 4 sets of wine glasses or will one set do? Do you need two desks in the office or can you share one? A lot of times people end up with multiple sets of the same things. Take an inventory and keep your favorite items, giving away or selling the other items.
Tip #7 – Organize Everything
Before moving, take the time to organize all of your belongings. Group books, glassware, clothing, and other items. This will make packing and moving simple when you decide to go. Label all boxes and only pack similar items together.
Tip #8 – Hire A Pro
Yes, there is such a thing. There are professional organizers that will use an impartial eye to help you decide what to keep and what to dispose of as well as organizing your place. They will help you get your belongings in order, making an eventual move a breeze.