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moving to smaller home

Whether you consider moving into a smaller home a blessing or a curse, the process requires a lot of changes. The following tips will help guide you through the process of downsizing. Don’t you worry though, moving to a smaller home may be difficult at first, but once you get used to it one day you may wonder why you ever need such a large space before.

Dealing with the absence of space is one of the most difficult aspects of moving into a smaller home. This varies from person to person, particularly if you’ve lived in larger homes for the majority of your life.

Consider the advantages: smaller homes require less maintenance, which results in less time and money spent on the home. More time and money can be used for other (funnier) things as a result.

  1. Take Some Time to Think

Fixing the problem of moving into a smaller space requires a lot of contemplation on your part if you don’t this downsizing move to turn into a total disaster. Consider what items you do and do not need to match your lifestyle. Also, you may have to think about what things you are willing to sacrifice or not. There may be some difficult choices to make so it can pay off to spend the time to think about it before acting.

  1. Sort

Now comes the time that you have to start acting towards getting the ball rolling on this move. Go through every room and storage area of your current space. Bring a box or trash bag around for items that you are willing to part with when you move into your smaller home. If you are a hoarder, set goals as to how many bags or boxes you want to fill. Investing in quality moving containers can be a game-changer; they’re not only durable but also stackable, making the most out of your limited space.

  1. Get Rid of Stuff

get rid of items

Unburdening ourselves of extra items can seem daunting at first, but many people start getting addicted to the concept once they start getting rid of things! Sell, donate and throw away as many items as you possibly can. Remember, each item you get rid of is one that you don’t need to move!

  1. Consider Self Storage

If after the first four steps you feel as if not everything is going to fit into your new home, shop around for a self storage unit. It is better to store things before you move so that you don’t have to move any items twice! It also makes it a lot easier to organize when you move into your smaller space if there aren’t extra boxes, furniture, etc. lying around.

  1. You Have Less Space Than You Think You Do

You make think you have a concept of how little space there is in the new residence, but wait until you actually try to fit everything. It is a wise precaution to take the time to measure the new space and the furniture you plan on moving into it. By taking the time to measure, you prevent moving in furniture that just can’t fit into your new space!

Take pictures of your rooms as they are currently configured. Although the size of your new area will be different, this can at least serve as a source of inspiration and serve as a reminder of how rooms once functioned. Another moving tip that can save you time is to take pictures of how you had your wires and other devices set up in your prior house.

  1. Research How to Use Space Efficiently

Browsing at furniture stores, especially Ikea, can give you a lot of ideas on how to most efficiently use a smaller space. Also, the internet is filled with articles that discuss creative storage ideas that not only look cute, but also help you use every inch of free space you have to try to squeeze everything into your new small space.

Managing the space you have effectively is crucial when moving into a smaller apartment in order to improve your comfort and functionality. A minimalist mentality and limiting your possessions to only those that you need or value are two of the best ways to achieve this. You can also spend money on furniture that takes up less room, like mattresses with storage built into them or tables and chairs that fold up. Utilizing vertical space by mounting shelves or hanging organizers on walls is another successful tactic.

  1. Buy Organizational Items

Once you have a good idea of what sort of organizational items you would like for your new space, go ahead and get them beforehand. You may decide later that you need more or less of these types of items, so we would encourage you to keep the receipt just in case. It is also really nice if you can get into the space before the day you are moving in to set up shelves and other organizational tools.

  1. Set Priorities When Packing

When you are packing everything up, fill the first boxes and bags with items that you cannot do without. This way when you move in you’ll be able to access first the items you need. After that, you can start to fit in other items that you don’t necessarily need to have around, but it would be nice to have easy access to them in your new home.

  1. Organize as You Unpack

With a smaller space leaving anything like boxes, bags or furniture lying around is going to prove to be a huge obstacle. Try to unpack and organize as you move in, so that you don’t end up surrounded by piles and piles of boxes.

You’re about to make a new best buddy out of multi-purpose products! Make sure to bring any space-saving furniture you already own, such as a corner desk, and tables that serve as both seating and storage. When living in a smaller home, making the most of the space is crucial!

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Written by Margarita Hakobyan
Margarita Hakobyan is the founder and CEO of MoversCorp.com. She has published more than 300 articles about moving, storage, and home organizing, making her a moving specialist since she began writing about the moving industry in 2005. Follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter.