The process of downsizing from a larger home into a smaller space such as a downtown condo or townhouse can be stressful. Not only are you faced with the challenges that can come with moving in general, but you are also now facing the reality that some of your belongings just won’t fit into your new space. While there are likely some belongings that you will be able to part with, the reality is that you will have personal items that hold sentimental value or that you just love and don’t want to have to part with.
Our self storage units in Vernon provides you with the additional space you need to not have to part with your belongings. We’ve put together a list of some downsizing tips that can help make the overall downsizing process go smoothly and have highlighted some of the ways a self-storage unit can benefit you throughout the entire process.
Downsizing Tips: Make a Plan to Get Rid of Unwanted Items
One of the first things you should do when beginning to downsize is to take an inventory of all the items you own and determine what belongings you can part with. Chances are, if you’ve been living in a larger home, you have accumulated more items than you realistically need. Taking inventory of all your items, getting rid of duplicates, and making a list of things you can donate or sell is a great place to start. Once you’ve determined what items you can part with, here are some ideas for getting rid of them:
- Donate – Local charities usually accept clothing, shoes, and other household items that are in good condition.
- Have a Yard Sale – This is a great way to get rid of items you might not have any use for in your new home and can put some money back in your pocket.
- Pass Items Along to Loved Ones – It can be difficult to part with sentimental items, but if they are in good condition, you may be able to gift them to family members or close friends who can appreciate them.
Give Yourself Plenty of Time
Downsizing can be a stressful process, which is why it’s important to give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Not only will preparing give you the time required to begin to part with certain items, it can also give you the opportunity to begin shopping around for potential new items for your new space. In some cases, moving from a larger home into a smaller condo means that some of your furniture just won’t fit into the new space. Having time to prepare for the move can give you the opportunity to shop around for new furniture pieces that will be better suited to the new space, which can then let you get rid of some of the larger pieces and avoid having to move them.
It’s also important to remember to ask for help if you need it. Downsizing can very quickly become overwhelming, so sometimes it can be beneficial to have an extra set of hands to help with the overall process.
Take Advantage of Self-Storage
Chances are you will end up with items that you just aren’t ready to part with, or you still need but just don’t have space for in your new home. The great news is that self-storage is a great way to hold on to certain items without having to sacrifice precious storage space in your new home. Our self-storage units are available in several different sizes and our building features 24/7 video surveillance, so you can rest assured that your belongings will be kept safe and secure. We also offer long hours, which make it easy to visit your storage unit to retrieve or drop off whatever you may need without having to wait for us to open. Here are just a few different items that could be suitable for self-storage:
- Seasonal décor
- Seasonal clothing
- Extra pieces of furniture
- Sports equipment
- Tires
Whether you are just needing some extra storage space or have sentimental belongings that you aren’t ready to part with, self-storage can be a great way to help streamline the downsizing process and make it as stress-free as possible.