Ways to downsize when moving
Moving home? Try downsizing for an easier move. By downsizing, you can streamline your move and enjoy a clutter-free new home. In this post, we cover ways that you can downsize when moving.
One of the best ways to save money, time and hassle when moving house is to downsize as much as possible before the big day. It’s amazing how many possessions and “bits and bobs” we actually have, and it’s often not until you have a house move that you realise this. But, in many cases, there are so many items that you probably don’t need or even want anymore. There’s no better time to downsize than during a house move, so here are some ways that can make your move that little bit smoother by doing just that.
Make a list and prioritise
A good way of prioritising the items in your home is by making a list and separating it into what you want to keep and what you need to keep. From this point, you can further trim your “wants” list into things you really want to keep, and items that you may want but know probably won’t get much use.
It’s very easy to want to hang on to these kinds of “just in case” items, but hoarding will only cost you more, as you’ll simply have more things to take with you and less space at your new pad.
Start early
It’s a good idea to start the downsizing process as early as possible. Many people wait until it’s time to actually move before they start to downsize. This can lead to increased stress as just planning a house move itself can take so much out of you. By starting to downsize your home in the early days of your move, it can help give you more time to properly decide what you want to keep and what you should probably give away.
From a selling perspective, giving yourself more time to sell your items can help you achieve a better sales price, and there’s nothing worse than having to get rid of items which could have raised some extra cash simply because you don’t have enough time to sell them. That leads us nicely onto…
Sell unwanted items
Selling your items on a website such as eBay is a great way of helping you downsize, as well as earning a bit of money. You can even choose different ways of listing your items such as via traditional auction or a fixed price. You can then choose whether to allow buyers to make you an offer as well. Not only does this help you declutter, it’s also great for the environment, as you’re helping your possessions find a new home where someone else can get use out of them.
Donate to charity
Similarly, by donating your unwanted or excess items to charity, you can help a local charity whilst decluttering your own home. This is also a great way of being more sustainable, as the charity you donate to can find a new home for your items and raise money for a great cause in the process. It’s a win-win.
Put the brakes on new purchases
It might sound obvious, but it’s so easy to keep buying “stuff” for your home, even though you know very well that you’re moving and need to streamline everything. Of course, this doesn’t mean you can’t or shouldn’t buy new possessions, but if you’re preparing for a house move, it’s a good idea to wait until you’re in your new home so you can fully get a feel for the space and what would work. There’s no point in de-cluttering and then simply replacing your older possessions with new ones.
Recycle
There are more ways to recycle unwanted possessions nowadays, from dropping them off at recycling banks to recycling companies who’ll collect your items from you. Recycling your items has a dual advantage, too, as you’re doing your bit for the environment and being more sustainable, and at the same time your items will be turned into something else which will have a new purpose for someone else - both while freeing up space in your new home.
A trip to the tip
Whilst it’s a great idea to extend the life of your possessions by giving them a new home or recycling them, that’s not always feasible, and sometimes they simply need to be disposed of. This is especially true in the case of items that may have damage to them and could be a hazard to someone buying them. This is where the old-fashioned trip to the tip can be the best option, where you load up and get rid of things quickly and easily.
For bulkier items, your local council can sometimes collect and dispose of your items in an environmentally friendly manner. Whether it’s a large chest of drawers that’s had its time or a piece of garden furniture that’s at the end of its useful life, the council should be able to assist.
Summary
Downsizing when moving home can be quite a task, as you suddenly realise you have a lot more possessions than you thought. It’s very easy to put things away in your loft or garage when you initially move to a new home, only to remember that when you move on you have to figure out what to do with all your possessions. The first step in downsizing is to have a plan and start the process early, as it gives you more time to take stock of everything. From there, you can clearly decide exactly what you want and need to take with you, and for all those extra items, you can then sell, give away, recycle, or dispose of them accordingly. As a result, you’ll have a smoother move and a tidier new home.