Moving to a new place may bring excitement, but it also comes with stress, especially when you get home and see just how much stuff you’ve been hoarding all these years. Whether you’re moving cities, from a house to a flat, or just need a fresh start, downsizing can be a sensible step to simplify your move. It can save you time, money, and energy.
At ASAPvan, we’ve helped hundreds of customers across the UK move to smaller homes with less stress. Here is our practical, step-by-step guide to downsizing.
Step 1: Start The Process Early and Create a Downsizing Plan
As with everything, the more time you give yourself, the easier it will be. Aim to do this at least a month before your move date so that you are not doing everything last minute.
- First, make a checklist of all the rooms/spaces in your home (including all storage spaces such as lofts and sheds).
- Secondly, decide how much you want to reduce based on the available space you will have in your new home.
- Set yourself weekly targets. For example, we complete one room or category per week.
Downsizing isn’t simply about discarding items, you are intentionally deciding what you keep.
Step 2: Measure Your New Space
Before you pack up your belongings, you’ll want to know exactly how much room you have in your new home. Do you have a floor plan, or can you get measurements for the rooms in your new home?
Visualise your furniture in the space. Will your large corner sofa fit into the living room? Will the new kitchen accommodate two tables?
Knowing this ahead of time will help you determine what furniture you want to take with you, what you will donate, what you will sell, and what will go into storage.
Step 3: Sort and categorise your belongings
Divide your belongings into four basic categories: Keep,. Donate, Sell, Discard. Keep only items you love, that you are using, or that you cannot live without. Donate clothes, books, and kitchen items to charities or shelters in your local area. If the items are in good working order, you can sell them in an online store or at a garage sale. Discard broken items and expired items using your local waste and recycling streams where possible. Sentimental items will be the last things you sort. Often, these are the most difficult to part with, so deciding on these will be much easier once you have separated and sorted everything else.
Step 4: Digitise wherever you can
A great way to downsize without losing memories or information is to go digital:
- Scan documents that are important and store them in a secure cloud-based storage.
- Digitise photographs, DVDs, or CDs of old memories
- Find a way to digitise any books, manuals, or paper documentation if you can.
This not only saves space but also protects your files from physical damage during the move.
Step 5: Be Ruthless but Realistic
Letting go of things as you downsize can be difficult, especially with items of emotional attachment or items that you have kept for “just in case.”
Consider the following:
- Have I used this in the last year?
- Do I have something similar that serves this purpose?
- Will this fit in my new home? Will this be in my new home?
Important: If everything is important, then nothing is important.
Step 6: Efficiently Organise When You Move
After downsizing, packing effectively and efficiently is the best way to pack:
- Have a clear labelling system (such as defining by room, purpose, or person).
- Organise like items together–keep kitchen items with kitchen items and cables with electronics.
- Pack a “first night” box that contains personal essentials (toiletries, chargers, clothes, etc.).
When moving is streamlined, it is cheaper, faster, and infinitely less stressful.
Step 7: Let the Professionals Help
At ASAPvan, we understand moving is about more than just moving boxes around. We offer friendly, flexible man and van services right across the UK, assisting families or individuals with all aspects of moving, especially in terms of downsizing.
We can assist with: Light removals and short-distance moves
Packing services
- Disassembly and assembly of furniture
- Safe transportation of your goods, with full insurance cover
Downsizing before your next big move should not feel like sadness. It should be a way to reset, to declutter, and to be around only those things that add value to your life. When you have a plan and the right moving company, you’re bound to move into your new home feeling like a weight has been lifted off your shoulders! You’ll be organised and ready for the next chapter in your life!
Are you ready to move smart, not heavy? Call ASAPvan and arrange for your free estimate – with no obligation and discover how we can make your downsizing move as simple and stress-free as possible!
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