By / OVM TEAM

How To Downsize Your Home: 10+ Tips To Help You Declutter And Simplify Your Home | Ottawa Valley Movers

In today’s world, more and more people are finding themselves downsizing their homes. Whether it’s because of a change in financial circumstances, a need to simplify their lives, or just a desire to live in a smaller space, the downsizing process can be a daunting task. But it doesn’t have to be!

Start As Soon As Possible And Pace Yourself

One of the most important things to remember when downsizing your home is to start as soon as possible and pace yourself. Trying to declutter and simplify your home in a day or two is likely to be overwhelming, and you’re more likely to keep things you don’t need if you’re not taking your time.

One room at a time

Start by going through one room at a time, and don’t move on to the other rooms until you’ve finished decluttering the first. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Be ruthless when it comes to decluttering

If you haven’t used something in the last year, chances are you don’t need it. And if you don’t love something, get rid of it! The goal is to simplify your life, which means surrounding yourself with only the things you need and love.

How downsizing the home can help you with saving money

Of course, one of the main reasons people downsize their homes is to save money and have some extra cash. And there are a number of ways you can do this.

Less space to heat and cool

First, if you’re downsizing from a larger home to a smaller one, you’ll likely have less space to heat and cool, saving you money on your energy bills.

Free up equity

Second, if you own your home outright, downsizing can free up some equity you can use for other purposes, like investing or paying off debt. Having more money for vacations or treating yourself to something nice could also be appealing.

Save money on storage

And finally, because you’ll have less space, you’ll probably get rid of a lot of stuff. This means you won’t have to spend as much money on things like storage, furniture, and repairs.

So if you’re looking to save money, choosing to downsize your home is a good option.

Measure your new space

Before you start decluttering, it’s a good idea to measure your new place and figure out what will actually fit. This will help you avoid keeping things that are too big or bulky for your new home.

It’s also a good idea to make a list of the things you absolutely need and want to keep. This can be helpful when you’re trying to decide what to get rid of and what to keep. And if you’re downsizing to a smaller home, it can help you figure out what pieces of furniture you’ll need to replace.

Get rid of anything that’s broken or damaged

One of the easiest ways to simplify your home is to get rid of anything that’s broken or damaged. If something is broken and you don’t love it, chances are you won’t bother fixing it. And if it’s been sitting in your home gathering dust for months or even years, it’s time for it to go.

The same goes for clothing that’s damaged or stained. If you wouldn’t wear it out in public, you’re probably never going to wear it again. Toss it in the garbage!

Donate, sell, or trash anything you don’t need or want

Once you’ve gone through your entire home and decluttered everything, it’s time to decide what to do with the things you’re getting rid of. If it’s in good condition, you may consider donating it to a local charity, selling it online or at a garage sale, or offering it to other family members.

But if it’s damaged or you just don’t want it anymore, the best thing to do is to trash it. Don’t let yourself be tempted to keep things “just in case.” If you don’t need it or want it, throw it out.

Create a storage plan for your new home

It’s time to create a storage plan for your new home. This will help you make the most of the storage spaces you have and keep your new living spaces organized. If you don’t have any additional storage space, renting a storage unit is another option (more on that later).

Invest in some multifunctional furniture

A coffee table with storage, for example, can be used to store books, magazines, or even blankets. Or a trunk that can be used as a table and also for extra storage.

Use the space under your bed

You can buy bed risers to raise your bed off the ground, giving you more space to store things underneath. Or you can invest in some under-bed storage containers.

Make sure to declutter on a regular basis

This will help you keep your new home clutter-free and tidy. Downsizing your home doesn’t have to be a daunting task! With a little planning and effort, you can declutter and simplify your home in no time.

Consider your new lifestyle

When downsizing your home, it’s important to consider your new lifestyle. If you’re moving to a smaller home, chances are you’ll be living a simpler life. So it’s important to get rid of anything that doesn’t fit with your new life.

For example, if you’re downsizing to a one-bedroom apartment, you probably won’t need that extra bedroom furniture or those large pieces of art. And if you’re moving to a warmer climate, you can get rid of all your heavy winter clothes.

When you’re decluttering your home, keep your new lifestyle in mind and only keep the things that you really need and love. Everything else can go!

Consider using a storage unit

When you downsize your home, that doesn’t necessarily mean getting rid of all your belongings. If there are things you want to keep but don’t have room for in your new home, consider renting storage spaces. This can be a great way to keep the things you love without cluttering up your new space.

Create A Floor Plan

Once you know what furniture and belongings you’re going to be keeping, it’s time to start thinking about your new floor plan. This is especially important if you’re downsizing to a smaller space. You want to make sure everything has a place and that everything is as functional as possible.

If you’re struggling to come up with a floor plan, there are plenty of online tools and resources that can help. And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Friends and family can be great resources.

Set clear decluttering ground rules

When you’re decluttering your home, it’s important to set some ground rules. Otherwise, it’s all too easy to keep things you don’t really need.

One ground rule could be that for every new item you bring into your home, you have to get rid of two items. This will help you avoid clutter, and keep your home feeling spacious and clean.

Another ground rule could be that you only keep things that have a specific purpose. If something doesn’t serve a specific purpose or bring you joy, get rid of it! This rule can be especially helpful in the kitchen, where it’s all too easy to accumulate gadgets and appliances that we never use.

Organize And Digitize As You Go

As you declutter your home, take the time to organize and digitize as you go. This will make it easier to find things when you need them and help you avoid clutter in the future.

For example, scan important documents and make them into digital files. This will clear up space in your home and help you avoid losing important papers.

You can also use this opportunity to create a digital photo album of all your favourite memories. This is a great way to keep your photos safe and sound while freeing up space on your shelves and in your closet.

Get Rid Of Sentimental Attachments

One of the hardest things about downsizing your home is getting rid of sentimental items. We often hold onto things because they have sentimental value, even if we don’t really love or need them.

If you’re struggling to let go of sentimental items, try thinking about the memories you have attached to them. Do you need the physical item to remember the memory? In most cases, the answer is no.

You can also try taking a photo of the item before you get rid of it. This way, you’ll still have a visual reminder of the item without actually having to keep it in your home.

Ask for help from friends, coworkers, and family members.

It can be a big undertaking to downsize your home, and it’s not always easy to do it on your own. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help from friends and family members.

You can also hire a professional organizer to help you declutter and organize your home. This can be a great investment if you’re short on time or struggling to let go of certain items.

Repurpose or memorialize items

Finally, if there are items you can’t bear to get rid of, try repurposing them or memorializing them somehow. For example, you could turn an old shirt into a pillow or frame a favourite piece of jewelry.

Or, if you have kids, you could turn their old clothes into a quilt or make a memory box for them to keep all their special things in.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to repurposing and memorializing items. Get creative and see what you can come up with!

Hire Help If You Need It

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of downsizing your home, don’t hesitate to ask for help. You can hire a professional organizer to help you declutter and organize your home and professional movers can help you pack and move everything. This can be a great investment if you’re short on time or struggling to let go of certain items.

Get Creative With Your Space

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your space. If you downsize your home from a large one to a smaller one, you may have to remove some of your belongings. But that doesn’t mean your home has to feel cramped or cluttered.

Think about ways you can use your space more efficiently. For example, you could install shelves along the walls to create more storage space.

There are endless possibilities when it comes to making the most of a small space. Get creative and see what you can come up with!

Reverse decluttering

If you’re finding it difficult to declutter your home, you may want to try reverse decluttering. This is a process where you start with a blank slate and only bring things into your home if you need or love them.

For example, when you go shopping, only buy things you know you’ll use. And when you’re given a gift, only keep it if it’s something you really want. By decluttering your home in this way, you’ll be surprised at how little stuff you need!

Senior Downsizing Tips

If you’re downsizing in your later years, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Choose a new home that’s easier to take care of

First, you may want to downsize to a smaller home that’s easier to take care of. This can free up your time and energy to focus on enjoying your retirement.

Consider moving to a retirement community

Second, you may want to consider moving to a retirement community. These communities often have amenities like swimming pools, fitness centers, and social activities. They can also provide peace of mind knowing that there’s someone nearby if you need help.

Think about accessibility and safety

When downsizing in your later years, it’s important to think about accessibility and safety. For example, you may want to move to a home that’s all on one level. This can make it easier to get around if you have mobility issues.

You may also want to make sure your new home has features like handrails in the bathroom and grab bars in the shower. These can help prevent falls and make your home safer overall. If you have specific needs for your new home, be sure to tell your real estate agent.

Consider your needs and wants.

Finally, when downsizing in your later years, it’s important to consider your needs and wants. For example, you may need to downsize to a smaller home that’s easier to take care of, but you may also want to move closer to a family member or another specific location.

Post-move tips after downsizing your home

Once you’ve finished downsizing your home, it’s important to take some time to adjust to your new space.

Here are a few post-move tips to help you make the transition:

1. Unpack gradually and don’t try to do everything at once.

2. Get rid of any remaining clutter as soon as possible.

3. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you feel overwhelmed.

4. Take the time to experiment with different ways of organizing your new space.

5. Be patient and give yourself time to adjust to your new home.

Do Routine Organization And Decluttering

Once you’ve moved into your new home, it’s important to do routine organization and decluttering. This will help you keep your space neat and tidy, making it easier to find things when needed.

Set aside some time each week to declutter your home. You can start by going through your closets and removing any clothes or shoes you don’t need. Then, move on to other home areas, like your kitchen cabinets and bathroom drawers.

The bottom line

Downsizing your home can be a daunting task. But with a little planning and effort, you can declutter and simplify your home in no time. Start by measuring your new space and figuring out what will actually fit. Then, get rid of anything that’s broken or damaged.

Next, donate, sell, or trash anything you don’t need or want. And finally, create a storage plan for your new home. By following these tips, you can successfully downsize your home without any stress.