Downsizing Your Home? 5 Tips for Clearing Out the Clutter
Joe Cline
September 11, 2009
These days people are downsizing their homes for a variety of different reasons. Whatever your reasons for moving to a smaller location, you can de-clutter your stuff and move with less boxes by following these tips.
1.Decide what you absolutely must have
Instead of trying to decide what must be tossed aside in your move, it might be easier to start with what you need to keep. For example, heirlooms, your favorite clothes and kitchen items you use every day would definitely go on your "keep" list. Only after you develop your keep list will you be able to tell if you need to make some sacrifices for your new, smaller space.
2.Organize your items into three categories
After you´ve decided on your small list of must haves, you need to sort through the rest of your things. One of the most tried and true methods of de-cluttering your home is to create three categories of items – keep, sell and donate. Depending on the size of your new place, you may be eliminating up to half of your items. View your things with a critical eye and if you find yourself putting too much into the keep pile, re-evaluate your decisions.
3.Get a second opinion
Sometimes it may be hard to get rid of things even if you know intellectually that you won´t need them. If you are finding it difficult to part with your items, or you are overwhelmed by the whole process ask a trusted friend to help you get clarity on the situation. Alternatively, you can also hire a professional organizer to come in and help you clear out the clutter from your life.
4. Compare the size of your old rooms to your new rooms
When it comes to pieces of furniture, you may not be able to transport everything to your new place. If you have the dimensions for your smaller space, you can use tape on the floor to mark out your new floor plan. Arrange your current furniture within this new boundary and figure out what you´ll be able to keep.
5.Don´t rush the process
If you think that you need to complete this whole process in a day or two, think again. You should give yourself plenty of time to do an inventory of your things and decide what you must keep and what you need to give away. It will take a lot of time to go through all of your possessions, especially if you´ve lived in your home for many years. Make it a leisurely process for several weeks or a few months before your move and you´ll not only feel more prepared but more relaxed about your move as well.
De-cluttering so you can live comfortably in your new space isn´t always easy. However, when you take the time to evaluate what you really need, you´ll thank yourself when you can live in your new home comfortably.
About the Author:
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin new home builders and Austin real estate blog can be found on the net.
1.Decide what you absolutely must have
Instead of trying to decide what must be tossed aside in your move, it might be easier to start with what you need to keep. For example, heirlooms, your favorite clothes and kitchen items you use every day would definitely go on your "keep" list. Only after you develop your keep list will you be able to tell if you need to make some sacrifices for your new, smaller space.
2.Organize your items into three categories
After you´ve decided on your small list of must haves, you need to sort through the rest of your things. One of the most tried and true methods of de-cluttering your home is to create three categories of items – keep, sell and donate. Depending on the size of your new place, you may be eliminating up to half of your items. View your things with a critical eye and if you find yourself putting too much into the keep pile, re-evaluate your decisions.
3.Get a second opinion
Sometimes it may be hard to get rid of things even if you know intellectually that you won´t need them. If you are finding it difficult to part with your items, or you are overwhelmed by the whole process ask a trusted friend to help you get clarity on the situation. Alternatively, you can also hire a professional organizer to come in and help you clear out the clutter from your life.
4. Compare the size of your old rooms to your new rooms
When it comes to pieces of furniture, you may not be able to transport everything to your new place. If you have the dimensions for your smaller space, you can use tape on the floor to mark out your new floor plan. Arrange your current furniture within this new boundary and figure out what you´ll be able to keep.
5.Don´t rush the process
If you think that you need to complete this whole process in a day or two, think again. You should give yourself plenty of time to do an inventory of your things and decide what you must keep and what you need to give away. It will take a lot of time to go through all of your possessions, especially if you´ve lived in your home for many years. Make it a leisurely process for several weeks or a few months before your move and you´ll not only feel more prepared but more relaxed about your move as well.
De-cluttering so you can live comfortably in your new space isn´t always easy. However, when you take the time to evaluate what you really need, you´ll thank yourself when you can live in your new home comfortably.
About the Author:
Joe Cline writes articles for Austin Texas real estate. Other articles written by the author related to Austin new home builders and Austin real estate blog can be found on the net.
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