Month: August 2021

Downsizing and decluttering are an integral part of the moving process. In addition, if you’re selling your home, decluttering will make the home more appealing to potential buyers.

However, downsizing and decluttering can help your move go more smoothly, even if you’re not selling a home. The more you can dispose of, the less you’ll have to pack and unpack. As a result, downsizing and decluttering also can reduce the cost of your move.

Here are some tips on downsizing and decluttering.

Start Early

A good rule of thumb is to start at least three months before your move, but the earlier, the better. If you can start early, you’ll leave yourself time to sort through your home without feeling overwhelmed.

Determine a Method

Several methods exist for downsizing your home. In the KonMari way, you take one category at a time and give away any items that no longer spark joy. In the one-a-day method, you let go of one thing each day or the number of items that match that day of the month. So, for example, if today were the 15th, you’d discard 15 items.

Another method is the four-box method, which restricts what you can do by only giving you four options. You either keep the item, donate it, toss it, or sell it. You avoid putting things in storage.

Have a Goal

If you already have found a new place to live, you’ll determine your downsizing goal based on the size of your new home. First, measure the rooms to know whether or not your large pieces of furniture will fit. Also, measure the closet, pantry, shelf, and storage spaces within the home.

Consider Your Lifestyle

When determining whether an item will fit in your new home, measurements aren’t the only criteria. A home indicates a lifestyle, and your lifestyle may change with the move.

For example, suppose you move from a home in the suburbs to a condo in the city. You won’t need any lawn care equipment. You also may not need exercise equipment if your condo building has a gym.

As another example, suppose you are moving to your retirement home. You won’t need most of your professional clothes, briefcases, and other items you used on the job.

Go Digital

Sort through all your paper files. You may be able to discard many of them, and you can also convert them to digital. Home movies, music, and photographs also can be preserved digitally.

Start from the Bottom 

When cleaning out closets, start with the items on the floor first, then work your way to the items on hangers. This method gives you space to work. It also boosts your confidence because the job will appear closer to being finished.

Divvy Up Sentimental Items

If sentimental items don’t fit into your new home, consider giving them to relatives or friends who also have a connection to the item. In addition, you can retain the memory by taking a digital photo of the item and writing a description of its significance.

Down to the Basics for Your Move

If you are moving soon, contact us. We can provide you with a free quote and excellent service to get you to your new home stress-free.

For many people, miscellaneous items that end up in the attic or basement are rarely used. So when preparing for a move, you can quickly realize just how much stuff you have collected in these spaces. Unfortunately, some of these extra belongings can just add to the load when you may not even use the stuff often enough to keep. So here are a few good tips for minimizing the number of things you have to pack in your attic or basement before moving.

1. Pull everything out of the space first.

Some basements and attics can be cramped, which means they may not be the best place to assess all you have stored in the area. Therefore, an excellent tip to remember as you pack before moving is to get everything moved to a site where you can better assess the collection. This also offers a twofold advantage of physically handling everything, which means looking at each item and deciding whether it is worth keeping. 

2. Organize everything into storage containers.

Pick up some suitable storage containers with lids. Opt for stackable versions. These containers can be packed, transported, and then restored with ease in the new house. A few good features to look for include: 

• Sturdy handles and not handles built into the lids 
• Secure-fit lids 
• Proper fill weight for what you intend to store 
• Clear bins for easy visibility if that’s important 

Once you have your storage bins, label them or do what you need to designate the container for a specific purpose. 

3. Look at what does not belong.

Once you have filled the containers with items from your basement or attic, look at the things you still have that don’t necessarily have a place to go. Attics and basements can become catch-alls for many items that may be more logical in other areas in the house. For example, if you find various hand tools, it’s better to pack those with items from the garage. 

4. Pull out what you haven’t used in over a year.

After organizing your collection and ensuring everything is in its place, you might have some other items you don’t necessarily need to take with you. Minimalist tips can help you if you are struggling to let go of things. Consider: 

• Is this an item you actually use
• Does the item have personal or tangible value
• Is the item worth the space it consumes

These questions can be helpful so you can sift out what will never be used or what would be best donated, which can truly help you lighten the load during your move. 

Get Packing With the Help of Moving Pros 

From the basement to the attic and every space in between, packing up a home can be a lot of work. To make sure your big transition is not so stressful, be sure to enlist the help of a moving company. Reach out to us so we can offer a free moving quote today.