How to Downsize from a House to an Apartment
If you're thinking about moving to a new apartment to downsize, whether it's because you want a more manageable space, the added bonus of on-site maintenance and community amenities, or you're just scoping out a new city, you might be wondering where to start. If you've been in your current home for a long time, it's a given that things have collected over the years, and you'll end up with more than you need to pack up and move to your new living space.
Here are some practical tips to help while you downsize:
Deciding What to Keep
Although you're downsizing, you don't have to sacrifice all of your favorite or sentimental belongings. Consider making an inventory list of all your things, and then go room-by-room in your home to decide which things are an absolute must for you to keep, versus what will no longer serve a practical use when you downsize.
As you go through your belongings, take into account how much square footage you will have to work with after you move. Are you downsizing to fewer bedrooms and bathrooms? How much of your current furniture will fit into your new living space without cluttering it?
Consider the amenities your new apartment will already have to decipher what you need to keep or get rid of, such as:
- Major kitchen appliances. Will your apartment come with a fridge, range, dishwasher, and/or microwave?
- Washer and dryer. Will your new apartment have an in-unit washer/dryer or a community laundry room? Or will it have washer/dryer hookups?
- Fitness equipment. Will a fitness center or gym be available to you?
- Storage space. Will your apartment have adequate space to store less-used items you want to keep?
- Patio or balcony. Will you have room for any patio furniture from your current home, or will you need to opt for something smaller?
Declutter What You No Longer Need
The last thing you want to do is overcrowd your new apartment by keeping too many things from your current home. After you've decided whether you will need to keep or get rid of the furniture, appliances, and other belongings in your current home, you can decide what to do to get rid of the unnecessary items.
Consider:
- Gifting unwanted items to friends or family who could use them
- Donating items to local charities, thrift stores, or other organizations
- Hosting a garage sale or list things for sale online
- Taking unwanted books, movies, games, etc. to a buy/sell/trade shop
- Renting a storage unit to stow away things you will need later
- Hiring a junk removal service or find a local recycling center to dispose of bulky items that are too worn or damaged to give away or sell
When Do You Need a Professional Mover?
Downsizing your home can be a stressful event, but with the proper planning, it doesn't have to be. Whether you're moving across the city or out of state, hiring professional movers can take the stress out of moving day so that you can focus on the exciting new transition ahead.
Don't hesitate to call in the professionals to take on some of the packing, moving, loading and unloading for you.
Let Us Help
At CT Moving and Storage, we look forward to taking excellent care of you and your belongings during this new chapter of your life. Contact us today to learn how we can take the load off of you and take the stress out of moving day.
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