So you’re moving to an apartment. You’ve never lived in one before and now you’re faced with the task of downsizing your move. How do you do that, though? Fortunately, it’s not as complex as it might seem. You’ve just got to know the tricks of the trade when moving into a smaller space.
Downsizing Your Move 101: 5 Smart Ways to Make it Work
If you’re downsizing your move, don’t panic – there are lots of simple ways to make it work for you! Here are a few tips to get yourself started:
1. Be Intentional
The last thing you want to do as you work on downsizing is getting frantic about it. Instead of getting rid of everything at once, go through your belongings item by item, and be honest about what you don’t use and what you do. If you haven’t touched it in six months or more, now is a good time to get rid of it. Don’t be overly sentimental about your items here – few things are truly irreplaceable.
2. Consider Holding a Yard Sale
Make some money off the items you don’t need by having a yard sale. You’d be surprised by how lucrative a yard sale can be, and how much it can help you fund your big move. To get the most bang for your effort, prepare for your big yard sale for a few weeks, gathering as many items as possible. If you have friends or neighbors who have items they want to get rid of, ask them if they’re interested in going in on a yard sale with you. Multi-family sales can be a big draw to crowds.
3. Don’t Keep Duplicates
Have two of something? Figure out which one you like more, and get rid of the other. Duplicates just clog up your move and require you to cart along items you don’t really need. While keeping a few duplicates may not seem like a big deal, you’ll be impressed by how much lighter your move is without them.
4. Take a Look at Your Furniture
Sure, you can downsize your stuff, but what about your furniture? Before you move into your new smaller space, do a once-over of your furniture and be sure it’ll work in your new space. If you’re moving from a large house to an apartment, for example, the first step to downsizing your move is to ensure you have furniture that’s well-suited for the space you are moving to. Make a floor plan of your new apartment, complete with the measurements of your existing furniture. If you need to buy new furniture later, you can always do it.
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5. Consider Getting a Storage Shed
If you can, purchase a storage shed to hold items that you don’t need at your new place. Storage facilities are generally inexpensive and can be a great option for holding onto items you don’t need at your new house, but can’t bear to get rid of. If you have additional questions about how storage services can help you in the process of downsizing, contact Colonial Van Lines.
The Benefits of Downsizing
While downsizing can be challenging, it’s well worth the work it takes. Not only will your upcoming move be simpler and more straightforward, but it’ll also be more fun, less expensive, and less time-consuming. Here are just a few of the perks of lightening your load before you go:
- Your move will take less time. The fewer items you have to move, the less time you’ll spend doing it. Downsizing your move streamlines and simplifies it, and allows you to finish up faster.
- You’ll save money. As you move, you’ll save money by downsizing. Because many moving companies dictate their prices by how many items you’re moving, moving fewer of them is one of the most straightforward ways to save money.
- You’ll be less stressed. One of the biggest perks of downsizing your move is that it’ll be less stressful for you. By getting rid of items you don’t need, you’ll be freer to focus on the critical aspects of your move, like settling into your new place and making new friends.
Need Help Downsizing Your Move? Hire a Pro
Did you know that hiring a professional moving company is one of the best ways to downsize your move? A professional moving company like Colonial Van Lines can give you smart downsizing tips and help you access the tools and tricks you need to get rid of useless items and streamline your move, from start to finish. To learn more, or to find out how you should be downsizing your move, contact us today. We’re always happy to answer your questions and provide free quotes for all our customers.
