Downsizing into a more affordable and easy to manage living space can provide wonderful benefits for aging community members. Less maintenance and fewer repairs allow more time to relax. And the lowered cost of a smaller home, apartment, or condominium opens the door for improved quality of life activities.
While downsizing has many proven benefits, the process of reducing personal belongings and transitioning can be stressful. Living in a larger home usually means you have the material goods to match.
If the possibility of downsizing and moving into a more manageable space seems unwieldy, consider these five ways to transition smoothly.
1. Consider the Square Footage Differences
When moving to a modest living space, it’s essential to have a firm grasp of what will fit comfortably.
Start by taking detailed measurements of your current rooms and comparing them to the downsized counterparts. The key to effectively transitioning revolves around everything you bring fitting with room to move around.
Downsizing typically requires less bulky furniture or space-efficient replacements. Knowing how much room you have to work with can make a big difference on moving day.
2. Stage Your Furniture and Belongings To Fit
Now that you know how much square footage you have to work with consider rearranging your current living space as a model.
Gather a few friends or family members and mark floors with tape to reflect the new space. Now spend a little time arranging tables, chairs, couches, and other belongings as if they were in the downsized residence. This process gives you a true sense of what to keep and what won’t fit.
3. Ask Yourself Which Belongings Matter
Not all material items are equal in a person’s eyes or heart. Just because an oversized chair is past its prime, it may hold greater sentimental value than a brand new recliner. The same holds for many items that bring back memories of good times, loved ones we miss or have lost along the way.
Rather than set aside those emotions, and pack what will fit, ask yourself these important questions.
- Is this something I need, or want?
- What is the sentimental value of this item?
- How often do I use it?
Based on your answers, you can decide what your moving professionals transport to the new home. The other items may have different destinations.
4: Consider Alternatives For Keepsakes and Valued Items
Pre-planning aspects of how to manage personal belongings tend to be increasingly important for seniors when downsizing. With that in mind, items that may not fit into a smaller space can be handled in several suitable ways. These may include the following.
- Consider storing sentimental items with children or relatives.
- Consider inexpensive self-storage until you are ready to part with personal items.
- Consider passing on family heirlooms so that others can enjoy them.
- Downsizing your household does not necessarily mean that you will no longer have cherished items. It merely means those that might clutter your new place need to be safely stored offsite or with loved ones.
5: Preparing For Moving Day
After you have boxed up goods and pre-planned, it’s essential to label each possession and note where it will go. Professional movers like getting it right and making your transition seamless. By marking boxes by room and indicating furniture placement, moving day can be stress-free. Planning and communication with your moving company mean you will get settled in quickly and enjoy an enhanced quality of life.
Moving Made Easy
If you need moving help, contact us. We can help with packing, storage, transport, and even unpacking. We can make your downsizing move as stress-free as possible.