If you’re downsizing your home, you’re also going to need to downsize everything in it. If you’re not sure where to start, the EZ Access Storage team has your back. Here are some key tips to help you make the downsizing process go more efficiently.
Know Your Goals
Before you even start the downsizing process, you need to not only consider how an item will fit physically into your space but how it will also fit into your new lifestyle.
You first need to understand why you’re downsizing. What are your goals, and what do you hope to gain from this process? Downsizing is a chance to reset – so take full advantage of this opportunity! If your answer is to eliminate stress, responsibility, or financial burdens, then downsize according to those goals. Don’t get rid of things that you need or anything that makes you happy. No matter the goal, when you understand the reasoning behind your goals, it’ll help motivate you throughout the process and make it easier for you to stick to your plan.
Measure Your New Space
To properly downsize into a new, smaller home, you have to know the size of the space you’re aiming to fit into. Ideally, you’ll know the shape and size of each room. This will help you figure out which large furniture pieces can come with you and which ones you’ll need to get rid of before the move. It can be hard to get rid of furniture pieces you’ve had for a while, but remember that some of your furniture might not fit in your space. Rather than trying to squeeze it in or let it collect dust in a storage unit, take the opportunity to simplify and redesign your new space. New space, new furniture, new beginnings!
When measuring out your new space, don’t forget to take a peek inside closets to see how much clothing and shoe space you have. If the closet in your new space is smaller, now is the time to go through a wardrobe declutter and sell or donate items you haven’t reached for recently.
Take it Slow but Steady
The decluttering process is no small feat and going through your whole home can be daunting. So it’s important to remember to take it one step at a time. To make it easier physically and mentally, go through one room at a time and break the process down into multiple, more manageable projects. Smaller projects can include:
- Sorting through DVDs
- Match up pots, pans, and Tupperware with their lids
- Pick shoes to give away and keep
- Address the dreaded “junk drawer”
These little projects will keep you from feeling overwhelmed but will help you chip away at decluttering your whole home. Before you know it, the process will be done!
Set Clear Ground Rules
Once you start combing through items, it can become easy to make exceptions here and there. And before you know it, everything you have is in your new space, but there’s not enough room for it all.
The best way to avoid this is by sticking to a clear set of ground rules for sorting your items. The most common set of options are:
- Keep
- Sell
- Donate
- Trash/recycle
Of course, you don’t have to use these categories for your ground rules. Categories can vary based on your specific needs and goals. However, try to avoid categories that fall in between, like a “maybe” category, as that can be a sort of loophole and can get items to quickly stack up. Also, it’s best to avoid having too many categories to choose from. Decision fatigue can set in quickly, and you want this process to be as smooth as possible. Having only a few categories will help you make easier and quicker decisions.
Get a Storage Unit
When downsizing, creative at-home storage comes with the territory. But sometimes, there’s no amount of reorganization that will make a space work with all the stuff you may want to keep. In these cases, a smaller self-storage unit is the perfect solution.
For some, it can be impossible to get rid of sentimental items. You may not have space for the multiple family photo albums or keepsake baby items from your son’s first year, but throwing them away? Not a chance. A small storage unit can give you the space to hang on to those important items while keeping your downsized home clutter-free. It’s also the perfect place to store holiday decorations and seasonal equipment, so you’re not overstuffing your garage or closets. A small unit will also keep you from holding on to too much as you’ll be working with strict square footage.
No matter what your storage needs are, EZ Access Storage has it covered.
EZ Access Storage is Here for You
Whether you’re moving and want to store items in a unit during that chaotic time or need a small unit to store sentimental items, EZ Access Storage is here for you. We’ve got your storage needs covered! At EZ Access Storage, we are always here to make your storage experience as EZ as possible in East Wenatchee!
