Sometimes life gives you a reason to consider downsizing. This new change can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming at times, especially when it comes to decluttering before moving and deciding what to do about your belongings.
How can you make your move less stressful when moving into a smaller home? Following these five downsizing tips for small spaces can help you arrive in your new home with peace of mind and a positive mindset.
1. Measure the Space
If you can, visit your new place and measure all the rooms (or see if your real estate agent/landlord can provide you with the specs). This will give you a good idea of exactly how much space you have to work with. Make sure you include all the nooks and crannies of the new home — they often make ideal storage spots.
With the exact dimensions on hand, you can begin thinking about how to cull your current belongings and which type of storage solutions will work. Now's the time to be brutally honest with yourself and set your priorities for how you want the new place to look. While studies on minimalist living have linked downsizing to an increased overall well-being, it's about what's most important to you for your long-term happiness, so be honest about what you want.
TSI TIP: Consider having a space plan created by a professional. TSI can arrange for a professional organizer to do an onsite assessment to discuss what you want to bring with you and take pictures / get dimensions. They can then create a layout to match your wishes and lifestyle using the specifics of the new home. This can be extremely helpful when making decisions.
2. Get Creative with Storage and Organization
Downsizing for small spaces don't have to restrict your creativity and sense of style. While there may be limited closet space or fewer places to put organizational furniture, it's all about being creative.
- Shelves and other wall storage: It's easy to focus on horizontal space, but vertical storage options like hooks, racks, and shelving offer creative new ways to store your items without losing any of your design or style choices.
- Furniture that doubles as storage: Limited space doesn't mean limited comfort. Downsize movers will recommend looking for furniture that can also be used for storage, like couches, chests, and coffee tables with concealed drawers.
- Stackable storage: Choose storage options you can stack in closets and cupboards and under beds.
These creative storage ideas can help you narrow down what you need to achieve your vision. Instead of packing too much into random free boxes you've found, you can implement appropriate storage for your chosen items and stick to your plan. As minimized design becomes more popular, there are many products available to achieve goals while maintaining an attractive space.
3. Start Decluttering Before Moving
Whether you tend toward maximalism or minimalism, the real challenge when it comes to moving into a smaller space is deciding what to get rid of. This process is best accomplished before you move (and, if possible, after you get the new home's room measurements). It'll significantly cut down on the amount of belongings you need to pack, and therefore the number of boxes you'll need to move, saving you time, physical effort, and money.
There are many renowned methods for decluttering and organizing your home, including:
Whether you subscribe to any of them or none of them is a personal choice, but you'll need to come up with a method that works for your situation. We recommend that you follow these rough steps to guide you through:
- Start by marking out the items you are sure you want to bring — they're often the easiest to identify. These can either be packed immediately or left where they are if they'll be needed in the months, weeks, or days leading up to the move.
- The next easiest to identify items are the ones you definitely don't want anymore. Pick out the things that you know for sure you don't want and place them in a designated pile or container of things to get rid of. You can even sort these down more granularly into piles like “trash,” “donate,” or “sell,” depending on how you plan to dispose of them.
TSI TIPS: Colorful post-its or furniture-friendly tape are great tools. What no longer fits in your life or feels important or necessary to you may be very sentimental to someone else. TSI can help you easily ship items to another person.
- Now it's time to tackle the items you’re not sure about. Consider each piece. Is it useful? Do you have more than one? Do you still need it, or will you need it in the foreseeable future? Are you holding on to this item just in case? Small spaces aren't the place to hold on to items if you have more than one or for “just in case” scenarios.
TSI TIP: If you're not sure about something, bring it with you. You'll always have the opportunity to declutter later.
Need more downsizing tips for moving? Check out our decluttering guide.
4. Keep It Organized
Have a plan in place for how to unpack after you move. Make a promise to yourself that you'll stick to your new storage and organizational plan every day until it feels like second nature. Still, don't be hard on yourself — building a new organization routine takes time and effort, especially when you're in a new space.
- Finish the task: Put things away in their designated place as soon as you're done with them.
- Practice daily maintenance: Everyone forgets or is too tired to put things away occasionally. Make sure you take some time to tidy every day.
- Put things where you need them: If you keep putting an item back in a different place, consider permanently moving the item there. Your organizational plan should be flexible to accommodate how you actually live.
- Use catch-all bins: If you find it difficult to stay on top of the “finish the task” chore, have some storage bins or baskets in your most commonly messy rooms so you can dump items in there and keep the overall space tidy. A great way to keep your bedroom clean is to have two bins — one for dirty clothes and one for clothes clean enough to be reworn.
TSI TIP: If you are an impulse shopper or chronic over-buyer, now's the time to work on that habit. In a small home, you don't have the luxury of more space to house your new purchases. Limit yourself to items you truly love and can actually use.
5. Choose the Right Moving Provider
The moving provider you choose can make a huge difference in how your move goes. Look for companies that provide personalized and specialty moves, as that's a surefire sign they understand the importance of moving and don't consider it “just another job.”
Be wary of any downsize movers who don't take the time to understand your specific needs. Some important signs of a reputable moving provider include:
- Clear communication and updates
- Shipping options for both small-scale items and large luxury items
- Good reviews and testimonials from past customers
- A history of successfully helping people move long and short distances
An Easier Approach to Downsizing With TSI
Making the move into a smaller home can be an exciting time in your life, but also a stressful one. This is especially true for anyone who has a lot of items to condense and a potentially long moving journey ahead of them.
TSI has been supporting people to take the next step in their lives since 1989. As specialists in long-distance small moves, we understand the need for clear communication, support, and fast service to get you set up in your new home. We also offer custom crating, professional organization services, and other solutions to meet your needs.
Are you preparing to move into a smaller home? Contact us today to get a quote as part of your customized downsizing plan.
About the author: Stephanie Rosenlund is the Director of Strategic Solutions at TSI, the long distance move and shipment provider for thousands of businesses, families, and individuals every year. Stephanie knows all the tips and tricks to make your move or shipment simple and specializes in freight shipping and interstate relocations. In her free time, she loves exploring the world with her husband and two kids.
