Property Collective
19 min read
Your 3 step, ultimate plan to downsizing your home
Shifting into a new house is often bittersweet. You are excited about a change but disheartened to leave a home so full of so many memories. Downsizing can be even more difficult. A smaller place means you often don't have room for all of your current possessions.
Beyond the physical hurdle of packing up all of your things, downsizing comes with is a substantial emotional element to it too.
When you approach that time of your life where you want or need, to move to a smaller home, these tips will ensure you can hold onto those dear memories while minimising clutter in your new place.
Here are our three top tips for downsizing without sacrificing your meaningful belongings.
Downsizing is an opportunity to refresh your belongings, reset and start anew. If you can minimise clutter, you can fill your new place with things you love and that reflect the latest chapter of your life.
If you know where you're moving to, ask for a floor plan so you know the exact size of each room and storage areas. This floorplan will become your guide for what you can take with you. Again, it is better to underestimate than overestimate!
As you decide what to keep and what to get rid of, work through one room at a time. Moving is a big job, and you cannot tackle it all at once.
Make a to-do list that breaks down your tasks into bite-sized pieces. Being organised allows you to stay focused while giving yourself some space to deal with the emotions that bubble up too! Amongst all the excitement (and stress) involved in downsizing, a good plan will help to organize your thoughts, ensuring you stay focused on the end goal.
Your plan could include:
Now that you have constructed your personalised plan, it is time to start to sort through your things!
Begin by exploring those little-used nooks and storage spots.
When downsizing, an easy place to start is in those spaces you rarely enter or that tend to accumulate junk. This includes spaces such as:
If you decide you must keep items that won't fit inside your new home, ensure you have a storage solution organised. Often it's easier to downsize further once you have a little time away from possessions and can tell what's truly useful.
It’s important to ask yourself a few questions when looking at larger items.
Without a doubt, you'll need furniture in your new home. However, you must ask what furniture will fit in your new, smaller home? Additionally, does your furniture match the style of your new place?
It's important to know the measurements of your new space and your furniture to see if the latter fits. Make sure to account for doorways too. Even if the furniture is likely to into the space, you must check whether you can get it inside in the first place!
When downsizing, you will almost always need to eliminate some pieces. Instead of narrowing in on what to get rid of, set your sights on what you know you cannot live without. From there, look for new homes for excess furniture - perhaps you can offer these to friends or family, sell or donate them.
Now that you feel more confident about the decisions you wish to make on your larger personal possessions, it's time to turn your focus on the plethora of smaller possessions and knick-knacks that fill a home.
When downsizing, the one trap that we all fall into is nostalgia. The high school uniform! The kid's art box. That rugby jersey collection from our favourite team. Parting with sentimental items is a rite of passage; however by posing yourself just a few honest questions, you can make objective decisions about what you love and what can go.
When downsizing, it is beneficial to know where you're heading before making big decisions. However, if a shift is on the horizon, you can take steps to commence the decluttering process sooner. Whether you're planning your downsize or already underway, you can use a simple four-pile system to make the job much easier.
Gift: These possessions will go to friends and family who can use them.
Sell: Quality items that you can effortlessly sell for extra cash for the move.
Donate: Donate anything you/others don't want or need but still has utility or beauty! Feel good helping others in the process.
Trash: No matter how much we want to think otherwise, some things just don't have a second life.
Allocate an area or room in the house for your gift, sell, donate or trash "stations." When you stumble across possessions that meet one of these descriptions, organise them into their category so you can re-home or dispose of them in batches, saving you time.
Note: as you sort, follow a strict yes/no policy, avoid "maybe." If you aren't sure that an item must stay, then it's a no. Although they feel safe, "maybe" piles mean more work for you later.
Digitising photos, certificates, cassette tapes, DVDs, or your child's favourite artworks can be a great way to save space while easily sharing these momentos with your wider family. An option is to take photos of items that bring up good memories but you no longer have room for. Digitising allows you to look back on these fond or special memories without physically keeping them.
To feel confident that your treasured items are in good hands, choose to pass them onto your children, grandchildren, or close friends. Where appropriate, they may be thrilled with the gift, and you get to enjoy these items by proxy.
Another strategy is to give keepsakes a new life. If you love to craft, items like letters, photos, or old band posters are perfect for scrapbooking, letting you create a record of your experiences in a new way. But again, be sure you have the space for these new creations!
Downsizing is a hugely emotional process, especially for some. You will stumble across items you haven't seen in years, and you will have to make bold decisions on their next steps. Give yourself some time to reflect on these memories, and then make a decision.
Remember to keep in mind that space is a limiting factor. Keep what you truly value, and be honest with yourself regarding what you can and cannot live without.
Although downsizing may initially seem daunting, there are ways you can go about the process in manageable steps -- making the process far navigate, both physically and emotionally. By starting with larger items and getting increasingly granular, you'll soon create a simplified, comfortable, decluttered, yet significant set of possessions that are perfect for your new adventure.
Beyond the physical hurdle of packing up all of your things, downsizing comes with is a substantial emotional element to it too.
When you approach that time of your life where you want or need, to move to a smaller home, these tips will ensure you can hold onto those dear memories while minimising clutter in your new place.
Here are our three top tips for downsizing without sacrificing your meaningful belongings.
Step 1: Make a plan
Downsizing is an opportunity to refresh your belongings, reset and start anew. If you can minimise clutter, you can fill your new place with things you love and that reflect the latest chapter of your life.
If you know where you're moving to, ask for a floor plan so you know the exact size of each room and storage areas. This floorplan will become your guide for what you can take with you. Again, it is better to underestimate than overestimate!
As you decide what to keep and what to get rid of, work through one room at a time. Moving is a big job, and you cannot tackle it all at once.
Make a to-do list that breaks down your tasks into bite-sized pieces. Being organised allows you to stay focused while giving yourself some space to deal with the emotions that bubble up too! Amongst all the excitement (and stress) involved in downsizing, a good plan will help to organize your thoughts, ensuring you stay focused on the end goal.
Your plan could include:
- A size comparison of your current home, compared to the new one
- Goals for your new home, what aesthetic are you hoping to achieve?
- Ensure you know what appliances or chattels come with your new place. This may help you decide what you can keep or pass on.
- A list of non-negotiables -- what do you hold most dear to your heart?
- A room-by-room guide, including storage spaces, the kitchen, and any garage/shed areas.
- Smaller objects/decor
- Larger objects/furniture
- A timeline: break down your tasks into a timeline. And ensure there is plenty of time for rest and reflection!
- Create a family wishlist - if you cannot keep something, and your family member puts their hands up for it, write it down! This list will help you organise who will get what and ensure everyone is accounted for too!
Step 2: Sort your belongings
Now that you have constructed your personalised plan, it is time to start to sort through your things!
Begin by exploring those little-used nooks and storage spots.
When downsizing, an easy place to start is in those spaces you rarely enter or that tend to accumulate junk. This includes spaces such as:
- The basement and attic
- Sheds and garages
- Spare rooms
- Closets
- Out-of-the-way kitchen cabinets
- Linen closets
- Bathroom cabinets or shelves
- These niches often contain unused items, treasured memories and/or larger items for sale.
If you decide you must keep items that won't fit inside your new home, ensure you have a storage solution organised. Often it's easier to downsize further once you have a little time away from possessions and can tell what's truly useful.
Larger items
It’s important to ask yourself a few questions when looking at larger items.
- What chattels/appliances does your new place have? Do you need to take these with you, or buy new?
- In terms of both your energy and cost, is it worth it to you to move appliances?
- Do you have large sentimental items that you've been holding onto, such as family heirlooms? Do you use them?, or are they in storage? Would you be more content taking them with you, passing them on to family members, or selling them online?
- Do you have large collections you care deeply about? Would you like to keep, gift or sell them?
- Furniture, china sets or fancy light fixtures?
- Will your new space have room for your hobbies? I.e., Woodworking, sports gear, sewing or craft equipment. Will your new space allow for all equipment and supplies?
Downsize your furniture collection first
Without a doubt, you'll need furniture in your new home. However, you must ask what furniture will fit in your new, smaller home? Additionally, does your furniture match the style of your new place?
It's important to know the measurements of your new space and your furniture to see if the latter fits. Make sure to account for doorways too. Even if the furniture is likely to into the space, you must check whether you can get it inside in the first place!
When downsizing, you will almost always need to eliminate some pieces. Instead of narrowing in on what to get rid of, set your sights on what you know you cannot live without. From there, look for new homes for excess furniture - perhaps you can offer these to friends or family, sell or donate them.
Sort through your living spaces and bedrooms
Now that you feel more confident about the decisions you wish to make on your larger personal possessions, it's time to turn your focus on the plethora of smaller possessions and knick-knacks that fill a home.
When downsizing, the one trap that we all fall into is nostalgia. The high school uniform! The kid's art box. That rugby jersey collection from our favourite team. Parting with sentimental items is a rite of passage; however by posing yourself just a few honest questions, you can make objective decisions about what you love and what can go.
- Keep only the treasures
- Do you have the space?
- If you haven't worn it in over a year, you probably don't love it.
- Get rid of duplicates. Do you have multiple rolling pins or duplicate sets of china? A good rule of thumb is that you don't need to keep both if you can only use one at a time.
- Can you gift it?
- Is there a family member or friend who needs this or would love it?
- Ask yourself, does this object "spark joy?" As minimalist Queen Marie Kondo explains, if you can't honestly say it adds measurably to your life, let it go.
The Four-Pile Sorting System for Downsizing: gift, sell, donate or trash
When downsizing, it is beneficial to know where you're heading before making big decisions. However, if a shift is on the horizon, you can take steps to commence the decluttering process sooner. Whether you're planning your downsize or already underway, you can use a simple four-pile system to make the job much easier.
Gift: These possessions will go to friends and family who can use them.
Sell: Quality items that you can effortlessly sell for extra cash for the move.
Donate: Donate anything you/others don't want or need but still has utility or beauty! Feel good helping others in the process.
Trash: No matter how much we want to think otherwise, some things just don't have a second life.
Allocate an area or room in the house for your gift, sell, donate or trash "stations." When you stumble across possessions that meet one of these descriptions, organise them into their category so you can re-home or dispose of them in batches, saving you time.
Note: as you sort, follow a strict yes/no policy, avoid "maybe." If you aren't sure that an item must stay, then it's a no. Although they feel safe, "maybe" piles mean more work for you later.
Step 3: Preserve memories without cluttering your home
Digitising photos, certificates, cassette tapes, DVDs, or your child's favourite artworks can be a great way to save space while easily sharing these momentos with your wider family. An option is to take photos of items that bring up good memories but you no longer have room for. Digitising allows you to look back on these fond or special memories without physically keeping them.
To feel confident that your treasured items are in good hands, choose to pass them onto your children, grandchildren, or close friends. Where appropriate, they may be thrilled with the gift, and you get to enjoy these items by proxy.
Another strategy is to give keepsakes a new life. If you love to craft, items like letters, photos, or old band posters are perfect for scrapbooking, letting you create a record of your experiences in a new way. But again, be sure you have the space for these new creations!
Wrap up
Downsizing is a hugely emotional process, especially for some. You will stumble across items you haven't seen in years, and you will have to make bold decisions on their next steps. Give yourself some time to reflect on these memories, and then make a decision.
Remember to keep in mind that space is a limiting factor. Keep what you truly value, and be honest with yourself regarding what you can and cannot live without.
Although downsizing may initially seem daunting, there are ways you can go about the process in manageable steps -- making the process far navigate, both physically and emotionally. By starting with larger items and getting increasingly granular, you'll soon create a simplified, comfortable, decluttered, yet significant set of possessions that are perfect for your new adventure.
