Chances are, you have moved a time or two in your life. The older you are, the better the chance that you’ve moved 10 times or more. Sometimes, those moves mean relocating from a big place to a smaller place. That’s when downsizing and decluttering come in.
It’s not always easy to figure out what you need right now, will need in the future, and what you are never going to need again. Chances are, no matter how hard you try down the road somewhere you’re going to realize that you got rid of something that you could’ve used after all. And vice versa.
Whether you’re just trying to free up some space or you’re making a move to a smaller home, the following tips on downsizing should help you to de-clutter and figure out what can stay and what can go.
Put Limits on Your Accumulation
It’s important to keep that clutter under wraps once you’ve moved into a smaller space as things can accumulate before you know it. Clutter will always make a small home feel even tinier. Every home has its clutter culprits- identify yours and do what’s necessary to keep a handle on them and their accumulation.
If You Can Digitize It, Do So
You can free up important space by using your computer hard drive or The Cloud for digitizing. Important documents, pictures, videos, cassettes, DVDs, and CDs can all be digitized today. Keep hard copies of whatever you must: i.e., Social Security cards, birth certificates, etc., but scan and save all your other records.
Special Items Can Be Re-Homed
Sometimes it’s hard to get rid of something because it means a lot to you. If there’s something that has a lot of sentimental value to it, consider giving it to a friend, relative, etc.
It’s Just Stuff – Unless It Isn’t
Though many items are expendable it is important to remember that some things are not. If you really want to give items to your grandchildren or your child someday, figure out a place where they can be stored without cluttering up your home. Once you get the decluttering bug, it’s easy to go a little crazy. To try to rein yourself in if necessary.
Haven’t Used It for a Year?
Get rid of it! No… Really! It may be hard to envision but this one-year rule applies in many cases.
Before Downsizing, Plan Your Storage
Even the best downsizer can’t get rid of everything all the time. Figure out where you’re going to store the stuff that you just can’t seem to part with before you start to downsize and declutter.
Leave No Stone – or Box – Unturned
Just because the box in the corner is labeled “kid’s toys”, doesn’t mean that there are necessarily toys inside. You certainly don’t want to make the mistake of donating a box that that you thought contained your children’s old toys, only to find out that Goodwill just got the box that had your grandmother’s fine jewelry stored in it for safekeeping.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
So, you’re going through all of your stuff and deciding that all sorts of little things can be gotten rid of. You’re convinced that dumping the small stuff will help you to de-clutter. Unfortunately, that is not always the best way to go about it. The big stuff is what’s taking up the most room. The small stuff can wait.
This is particularly true if you’re moving to a smaller home. Instead of three dressers, you might want to see if you can get by with two or one. Instead of a couch, loveseat, and four chairs, maybe your living room could suffice with a couch and two chairs. You get the idea.
Once again, this has everything to do with how you’ve decided to store the things that you’re keeping.
We at Showplace Estate Buyers are in the business of helping people downsize and de-clutter. If you’d like to know what we buy, you can see an exclusive list by clicking here. Contact us today if you would like a representative to visit you and discuss the downsizing and decluttering of your home or one you have inherited. Our consultations are free and there is never any obligation.