Tips for Those Who Are Downsizing

16 May 2017
 Categories: , Blog


Moving into a property which is significantly smaller than your current one usually requires quite a bit of preparation and planning. Here are a few tips that should make this challenging process a little easier.

Consider using a long term storage facility for bulkier items

One of the most frustrating parts of downsizing is trying to decide what to do with useful, but bulky items that you don't have enough storage space for in your new property. For example, if your new home has a garden, but doesn't have a shed or garage, you'll have nowhere to put your barbeque equipment, lawnmower and other gardening tools.

In this situation, it may be a good idea to look for a business in your local area that offers long term storage services. Keeping these items in this kind of facility will enable you to access and use them whenever you need to, even if your new home is lacking in storage space.

Self-storage facilities can also be a great place to keep items which you don't need right now, but which may become useful again in the future. For example, if you are only downsizing temporarily and intend to move to a larger property at some point later down the line, it might be worth putting your extra furniture, rugs, mattresses and curtains into a self-storage facility, rather than throwing them away and having to repurchase the same items again in a few months' time.

Don't be tempted to put duplicates and damaged items into your moving boxes

Many larger households own multiple versions of the same item; you might, for example, have several frying pans, three types of blenders or a dozen spare sets of bedding. Whilst having duplicates of certain goods can occasionally be useful, it will only serve as an annoyance when you're living in a smaller space.

If your new house only has one bedroom, for instance, having an unnecessarily large collection of spare duvet covers will be a hindrance, rather than a help, as they'll end up taking up valuable storage space and won't serve any real use. As such, when you're packing, do not allow duplicates of an item to go into your moving boxes. Instead, put them aside and then sell or donate them.

It's also important to avoid packing any damaged items that you've told yourself you 'might' repair in the future. The truth of the matter is if you haven't bothered to fix that chipped vase or malfunctioning set of Christmas tree lights in the last year or so, you probably won't ever get round to it. These items will simply end up collecting dust and using up the limited amount of storage space you have available in your new home.


Share