Downsizing? What to Do with Your Stuff

Whether you call it downsizing or rightsizing, the bottom line is you’re moving
into a smaller space and have no idea what to do with all the stuff you’ve
collected over the years. Many people consider moving from a larger home to a
smaller home at some point in their lives. Often this move is made after the childrearing years, when homeowners no longer need the extra bedrooms or living
space, and want less home to worry about (or to clean!). The problem is that they
have accumulated items to fill the space that they aren’t ready to part with, yet all
their stuff won’t fit in a smaller home.
If you’re considering this type of downsizing, begin by sorting your possessions
into three piles: keep, donate, trash. After trashing, donating, and storing what
you can, here are some clever ways to store your stuff in the new, smaller space.
• Dual-Purpose Furniture – Find furniture that offers hidden storage, such as
a coffee table or ottoman with storage compartments for extra pillows,
throw blankets, games, or books.
• Baskets and Cubes – There are a lot of great options for cube storage units
that incorporate baskets to store extra items for easy access when needed.
• Digitize – This is the perfect time to put your important papers and pictures
into a digital format. From treasured pictures to tax forms, there are
companies who specialize in transferring your items for later access.
• Repurpose – Take a careful look at your furniture…and Pinterest. You’ll find
great ways to use some of your favorite pieces in different and useful ways.
• Closets – Consider a closet consultation to make sure you maximize your
closet space, not only in the bedrooms but also in your kitchen pantry and
hall coat closet.
Downsizing doesn’t mean you have to throw out everything you love. Take a hard
look at what matters and then use some of these tricks to store the items you
treasure without adding clutter to your new home.