Have your kids flown the coop, and you are ready to downsize from your large family home to something smaller or more manageable? The idea of moving can be overwhelming, especially when you consider the number of things you can accumulate over the years. When downsizing, you may not have as much space for everything you’ve acquired over the years. If you are feeling stressed about the idea of moving, check out the below tips for downsizing before your move.
How to Downsize Your Belongings
Inventory Your Possessions Before Packing
Going through your belongings will no doubt send you down memory lane. However, it is critical to distinguish between the items you want to keep vs. those you genuinely need to keep. If you stumble across anything you haven’t used in the previous year, it’s time to get rid of it. And if you didn’t even realize you still had a particular item, it’s time to get rid of it. The overall goal of downsizing is to simplify your life, so bring what you need. That doesn’t mean you have to get rid of everything, especially items that have sentimental value. But, the end goal is to eliminate the items that no longer add value to your life.
Plan ahead of time
If you don’t have a strategy, it isn’t easy to let go of stuff. Planning out each item’s function and placement is one of the simplest methods to declutter. Get rid of anything you don’t have a place for to reduce clutter and optimize space. Set up boxes for things you want to keep, get rid of, and store. Once you’ve identified the items you are getting rid of, you will want to take it a step further to decide how to dispose of these items.
If these items are larger pieces of furniture or if you accumulate boxes galore, it may be time to call for backup. KC Dumpster will deliver a dumpster of the right size at the very location you want. Our timely deliveries and quality services set us apart from the rest. Make disposing of items easy as can be when you work with KC Dumpster.
Establish timing constraints
Set a 15-minute timer to dig through the dreaded junk drawer or if you’re cleaning the attic. Cleaning and downsizing can be overwhelming.
Setting a timer makes the task of decluttering more feasible. Set a time restriction to help you decide which items don’t make the cut to bring to your new home. We want to reiterate that you do not need items that you haven’t used in a year and don’t intend to use in the next.
Keep sentimental things
Of course, not every item must have a purpose. Some items have sentimental significance. If it’s too painful to give it up, keep it! Place your grandmother’s crockery on a beautiful shelf and use it as a conversation starter with dinner guests.
Look for multiple purposes
Downsizing is simple if the majority of your possessions fulfill several functions. Keep furniture that you can roll about or fold away, for example. In addition, you can easily store away dual-purpose items and retrieve them when needed.
Tips for Downsizing – Go Digital
Papers are the most significant culprits in messy houses; therefore, it’s essential to go through your papers, invoices, and documents. Hello there, paper shredder. Convert any documents to a digital copy that you cannot throw away. You can keep digital documents on a flash drive or external hard drive to be extra safe.
Don’t go overboard
On the other hand, some people have no problem parting with more possessions than they should. As a result, you will end up spending money on re-purchasing items. One of our tips for downsizing that comes into play often throughout the process is making lists. Make a list of the things you have so you know what you need vs. what you don’t. Moving firms sometimes have a minimum weight requirement, so it may not always be a good idea to get rid of your mattress. Inquire with your moving firm about minimal weights, and make sure to use up all of the space and weight allotted for a specific fee.
Take furniture measurements
Furniture is large and takes up a lot of space. It’s time to pick which furnishings to retain if you’re downsizing. Take measurements of your new home and your furnishings to determine what will and will not fit. It’s far simpler to figure this out ahead of time than to move everything to discover it doesn’t fit.
Determine what to sell, donate, and discard
Once you’ve determined which objects will not accompany you or items that you are not giving to loved ones, you have a few alternatives for getting rid of them: sell, donate, or discard. Some objects are so worn or damaged that you can’t help but toss them away. Others can help you make a little more money or help someone in need.
When is it OK to sell?
What one person considers garbage is sometimes considered a treasure by another. So consider holding a yard sale to generate some additional money if you’re reducing a lot of your stuff before the move. Furniture, toys, books, children’s clothing, power tools, and lawn equipment are everyday garage sale items. However, some items are not appropriate to sell. Throw away items that are not in good shape or have any damage. KC Dumpster recommends a yard sale if:
- Items are in good shape.
- You have both the time and the energy to plan the sale.
Tip: There are several ways to sell goods nowadays, so pick the one that works best for you! Facebook Marketplace is an excellent avenue to take if you’re looking for somewhere online to sell your items.
When Should You Donate?
Downsizing and decluttering are excellent chances to help others. For example, someone else could have greater use for your spare set of measuring cups or your childhood doll. Instead of selling your surplus items, you might give them to a local charity. Local organizations generally accept clothing, shoes, and other household goods in excellent shape. Donate items that are in good shape and do not require any repairs. Donating marketable items is the best way to get rid of unwanted belongings when you don’t want nor have the time to organize a sale.
Remember, some organizations will also provide paperwork for a tax deduction.
Last Tips for Downsizing – Schedule a Dumpster
Not everything you are planning on getting rid of will be in good enough shape to give or sell. If you have a lot of belongings to go through and declutter, or if you’re tossing away larger home goods like broken appliances or torn furniture, renting a dumpster is a stress-free, economical solution.
KC Dumpster is Kansas City’s best dumpster rental company for a reason. Our team offers that commitment to excellence not only to contractors but also to the average homeowner who needs help hauling trash and debris. When you’re thinking about downsizing, it may seem intimidating. However, we hope the tips for downsizing above help make the process smoother and more simple as well as calling KC Dumpster in to help haul away unwanted items. All you have to do is go through items and organize the “keeps” and the “throw-aways.” Then, a dumpster is delivered right to your home and hauled away when filled. Give us a call today to learn more!
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