Downsizing your home can be beneficial no matter what stage of life you are in. Some extra stuff leads to some more and come become overwhelming. In our latest article, we discuss easy ways to downsize your house without the stress.
With each year that passes, it seems that most of us gain more and more things. Many of us have closets filled with items we aren’t using, and stuff stored away in the attic that haven’t seen the light of day in quite some time. We all see garages that have become storage spaces; owners have to park outside because the car just cannot fit anymore! Many people buy a home when they are first starting their family, ensuring they have enough space for everyone. 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 – Use The One Year Rule
You might have heard this rule for your closets. Turn all the hangers backward, and anything still backward in a year should be given away. These are the items you don’t wear, but that are taking up valuable real estate in your closet. While you might have one or two sentimental items, try to keep these to a minimum. You can also apply this rule to other clutter-prone areas of your house. Think kitchen gadgets, craft supplies, old DVD’s, and so on. If you haven’t used it in the past year, maybe somebody else can find a use for it sooner. Remember “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
Tip #2 – Repurpose And Give
You likely have many things you are keeping due to sentimental value. While it is more than ok to hang on to some of this stuff, having too much can weigh you down. Maybe your kids or grandkids would love to have your old Chrismas ornaments that are lying around in the closet. Things such as old toys, clothes, and artworks can find new homes with people you love. 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
Sure, this might seem like work and stress. But for many people, when they start opening all those boxes, they will find that all kinds of random possessions have accumulated. They will only end up keeping one or two things, giving away or throwing away the rest. You might be surprised at what has piled up over the years!
Tip #4 – Assess Your Furniture
Do you need the giant coffee table anymore? Is the entertainment center still a necessity? Think about your future new space, and what kind of items will fit nicely. You can ditch the massive sofa set and make room for a love seat. Maybe the formal dining can become a gym or an office. You can sell some items, and get some cash you can use for new furniture for your new space.
Tip #5 – Digitize Where It Makes Sense
Piles of papers all over the house. Sounds familiar? It seems we all have a stacks of papers and letters that we are going to get around to dealing with. Set a day of the week to check them out now and shred or throw away anything that is no longer needed. You can scan some bills and receipts if needed, and opt to go paperless . The best is to deal with the mail as it comes in instead of letting it pile up . There are some apps that can help you scan the receipts for tax purposes.
Tip #6 – Get Rid Of Duplicates
Do you need 3 sets of china or will one set do? Do you need two desks in the office or can you share one? Do you need two blenders and two coffee makers? There are many times where people end up with 2 of something, never using both at the same time. Take an inventory and keep your favorite set, 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. You may discover that you have repeated books and DVD’s that you never opened. Maybe all your music is digital now, and all those CD’s can go away. 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. You can hire a professional organizer to help you clear out the clutter. They can offer objective opinions if you are debating holding on to an unused item. They will help you get your belongings in order, making an eventual move a breeze.