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Moving into a smaller home can free up your schedule and lighten your bills, and that could give you more time and money each month to do the things you really enjoy. Smaller homes cost less to buy or rent and are easier to heat and cool, but filling them with all of the furniture from a larger house can make them feel cramped and claustrophobic. You will have to say goodbye to some of the things that made your old house feel like home if you want to downsize successfully, and that can be difficult. Here are 11 tips that could make it easier.
1. Think of the Upsides
Leaving a home filled with cherished memories can be hard. If you focus on the positives, when you think about the road that lies ahead, your downsizing move will be less emotionally straining. Consider the things you will be able to do with all of the money you save, and imagine how you will feel when you do them. You will be letting go of some furniture that you rarely use, but you can keep your best mattresses and favorite chair.
2. Start Early
Your downsizing move will be a lot less stressful if you start planning early. As soon as you make the decision to move into a smaller home, take a look around your current house and start taking mental notes. You will pause when your gaze falls upon items that have sentimental value, but that is something you should welcome. Thinking about these things when you have plenty of time is much better than waiting until the clock is ticking and the movers are on their way.
3. Embrace Minimalism
Moving into a smaller home provides you with an opportunity to make changes that will simplify your life. Embracing a minimalist lifestyle involves focusing on the things that really matter, and it could make moving into a smaller home feel like the start of an exciting new chapter in your life story. Say goodbye to excess and things that complicate your life without adding value, and say hello to a whole new you.
4. Take Inspiration From Professionals
Decorating smaller spaces requires skill and imagination, so take inspiration from experienced professionals. If you browse through some home decor magazines or visit some interior design blogs, your head will soon be filled with exciting ideas. Before you know it, you will be yearning for the time when you can move into your new home and turn your visions into stunning reality.
5. Measure Everything
Once you have picked out the smaller home you will move into, get the measurements of every room. Then measure all of the pieces of furniture that you plan to take with you when you move. You may discover that the bookcase in your current home will overpower the living room in your new house, and that’s something you will want to know before you go through the hassle of moving it.
6. Don’t Be Too Zealous
It’s easy to get carried away when you start to sort through possessions, and that can lead to hasty decisions that you will regret later. You can avoid these mistakes by making three piles. One pile will be items that you will definitely take with you when you move, one pile will be items that you are sure you can live without and the third pile will be items that you are not sure about. Let the third pile sit for a day or two, and then revisit it when you are calm and relaxed.
7. Rent a Storage Space
If your new home is much smaller than the house you are leaving, there probably won’t be enough space for all of the items that you want to keep. You can avoid clutter by putting items that have great sentimental but little practical value in a rented storage space. You can visit your storage space from time to time to relive old memories, but you won’t spend all day tripping over things that you never use.
8. Tackle One Room at a Time
Thinking about what you will do with all of the items that you have spent a lifetime gathering can be overwhelming, so tackle one room at a time. If you focus on each room in turn and avoid distractions, you will be done in no time.
9. Get Some Adjustable Beds
Multipurpose furniture can make living in a small home a lot easier. If a spare bedroom won’t be used very often, buy some adjustable beds and turn it into a study or music room. The latest convertible beds are compact and stylish, and quality adjustable mattresses can make them very comfortable to sleep on.
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10. Enlist the Help of Friends and Family Members
Moving into a smaller home will take less of a toll on you if you enlist the help of your friends and family members. If you are planning to move to a different part of the country, the time you spend with your friends and relatives as you sort and pack your things will give you a chance to relive the good times.
11. Raise Cash by Selling Your Unwanted Items
When you sort through your possessions, you will probably come across items that you have no use for but are too good to throw away. You can donate these items to charity, or you can raise some cash by selling them. You could place the items on online marketplaces like Craigslist, or you could hold a garage sale.
Enjoy Your Downsizing Journey
Sorting through possessions, packing furniture and moving can be tedious chores, but they can also be parts of an exciting adventure. If you think about the ways your life will improve when you have more money in your pocket and less on your mind, you will enjoy your downsizing journey and look forward to your fresh start.
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