7 Tips on How to Downsize for a Move

When you decide on the best time to move and find the perfect place to live, you’ll realize that the packing process couldn’t be omitted. If you’re tired of all that clutter in your home and not being able to find some things when you most need them, it’s the right moment for decluttering. It’s one of the relocation hacks you shouldn’t postpone because its benefits you’ll be goading not only during the move but also when you unpack after it. Here are tips you should check first and have a decluttering that will help you do it like a professional.

Why It’s Important to Know How to Downsize for a Move

Understandably, you do not know how many things you have in the home. But, the fact that one in ten Americans have rented storage units says a lot – we all possess items we don’t use or need. In one moment, you realize you’re surrounded by piles of things you do not even remember having. It’s crucial to get rid of these things, especially if relocating to a smaller home where the space is limited and you might won’t have the possibilities to use the storage for that kind of stuff, but for items, you actually are using daily.

So, the main reason you should get rid of all that clutter that was accumulating for months or years is to ease yourself of the unpacking process. But also have successful space management once you move in.

Use Best Tips on How to Downsize When Moving

Living a healthier lifestyle and having a stress-free move are probably two goals everyone has in the relocation process. That’s why you have to prepare for this process and plan everything, no matter if you’ve moved several times before or not. So, before you even begin with the planning, you should realize what benefits this process will bring. The most important one is that you’ll feel more relaxed and free because you won’t see the clutter in every corner of the house.

For example, you have to prepare your home for sale and introduce the house to potential buyers. The first thing they’ll see is the clutter and imagine the first impression they’ll get. That’s why you should keep reading and learn how to prepare for downsizing.

How Do You Prepare for a Downsize Move?

There are plenty of reasons why people move, but having the whole process prepared and planned is crucial. Suppose you are relocating without a job, you’ll need all the free moments you can get because there’s a lot of research you have to do. Not only you’ll have to apply for work but also check the Linkedin platform every day. On top of that, you’ll have to think about relocation, and that process can’t stop if you didn’t plan it correctly.

Figuring out priorities in life isn’t the easiest thing to do, right? But once you decide that some things are more important than others – like instead of spending your time and money on maintaining your large house, you could focus on your health, family, and work. That’s when downsizing and a minimalistic approach are things you should consider even when moving at the last minute. If you do, you won’t be dealing with the relocation stress.

Tip #1: Start on Time When Wondering How to Downsize a Home

An average American lives in one house for around ten years, and you can imagine how a single item can be crucial to us. Deciding what to get rid of when moving to a new house or apartment can be challenging. That’s why you need to start early with planning and making the final decision of what’s going with you and whatnot. According to the latest research, if you purge your house correctly, you’ll be moving 40% less of your household objects.

Having enough time for this process doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to do other things related to the relocation process. Still, you’ll feel more confident, and depression after relocating will be reduced to a minimum.

It’s Best to Start Decluttering Right After You Decide to Move

Decluttering for some people represents a process that helps them when feeling down and makes them discharge all the negative energy. But if you’ve never done it before for the entire house and are wondering how do I start decluttering to move, the answer is not to waste any of your free moments and begin checking all rooms and storage.

Tip #2: Sort Through Every Room and Make a Plan for Efficient Downsizing

You should get to the decluttering part once you make a to-do list for a better relocation organization. Go through one room at a time and set aside what you don’t really use or need anymore. Sometimes it’s harder than you think, but you should be rational and decide which items won’t find their place in the new home.

Because it’s a tedious process you can’t finish in just one day, you’ll have to plan which room you will do first and how many hours you will be able to dedicate to this process a day. The best way to begin is with the space you have most stuff – a garage and storage.

Set a Budget and Determine If You Have Enough Money for Storage Facility

There are many positive sides of downsizing, from getting more free space to going minimalistic. However, money is the biggest reason people decide to purge and toss or donate some things. The less stuff you have, the less you’ll pay for professional cross-country moving services.

Before you estimate the value of your household goods, be sure to set your relocation budget. If you’ve been saving money for the relocation, and you’re still looking for the cheapest way to move out of the state, then the decluttering will help you not spend a fortune on the packing services and supplies for the stuff you’ll bring.

Tip #3: Divide Your Stuff in Keep, Toss, and Donate Piles

When you plan the whole process, proceed with making three piles and sorting the things from your household. You can make the following categories that will help you speed up the entire process:

• Keep – all those things you use on a daily basis and can’t imagine your life without.
• Toss – old appliances that can’t be fixed and reused; apply this rule on every other older item.
• Donate – if you haven’t used something for more than a year, but it’s still in good shape, donate the unwanted things to those who need them.

Make an Inventory List of Your Items for Better Organization

The three categories we mentioned above will give you the best organization during the decluttering process. Once you finish with it, create an inventory list, including also a photo inventory that will keep your organization at maximum.

If you’re having trouble with how to declutter efficiently, check some fantastic tips and hacks in the video below.

Tip #4: Measure Furniture and Other Bulky Items Before Cross Country Movers Come

Having enough space is something you should think about, especially when relocating to a smaller place. Why deal with packing furniture that can’t even fit your new apartment right? So, be sure to do some measuring before you check off the packing task from your relocation checklist. It’s easier to figure it out before than regret later and not knowing what to do with those pieces of furniture once you move in.

Don’t Overbuy New Things Once You Finish Decluttering

Suppose you haven’t had the opportunity to check out the new place before the relocation day. In that case, it’s better not to buy furniture and other bulkier things just because you feel ”empty” after the decluttering. Ensure everything will fit perfectly and then you can go shopping.

Tip #5: Pack Cherished Items and Don’t Forget to Check the Storage Spaces

Yes, we said to give away or toss every item that you do not use. But, some things are not meant to be used on a daily basis – some things are memories and family heirlooms. You should carefully pack this stuff like you would pack fragile things. These can be a great help once you move, especially if relocating alone to entirely different surroundings. Check the storage in your old house and bring things that will help you get used to the unknown environment and keep them close if you feel lonely in the first period after relocation.

Tip #6: Go Online and Digitalize Where’s Possible

Paper clutter over the years is only getting bigger, and it should be the opposite. Unfortunately, you realize it when you have to move that clutter, right? Luckily, nowadays, you can have most of your important documents digitized. This means the organization of the rest of the paper documents will be much easier, but you’ll have more free space.

Tip #7: Ask For Help Your Family and Friends

Organizing the relocation process isn’t as easy as it seemed at the beginning. Besides, it’s not only the relocation tasks you have to do, but you also have to say goodbye to your family and friends. So, why not kill two birds with one stone – throw a farewell party where your loved ones could land you a helping hand with the most tedious tasks.

How Do You Downsize Things – Hire Reliable Long Distance Moving Company

Downsizing isn’t the only thing you have to do when relocating, no matter if it’s a smaller or bigger place you are moving into. Do not forget you still probably need a storage facility and reliable auto transport for your vehicle. That’s why the best move you can take is to hire a relocation company you can trust and get other tasks done, relieved knowing that you are in good hands.