No matter what stage of life you are in, downsizing your home can be beneficial. Having all that extra stuff can feel cumbersome and overwhelming. In our latest post, we discuss easy ways to downsize your house without all the stress.
It seems that most of us gain more and more stuff as the years pass. Many of us have closets filled with items we aren’t using, and things stored away in the attic that never see the light of day. Many people buy a home when they are first starting their family, ensuring they have enough space for everyone. But as the years pass and the kids eventually move out on their own, they find they are living in a house that is too large and filled with too much stuff to manage. Below we offer some great tips for downsizing, making it easier to sell when you are ready.
Tip #1 – The One Year Rule
The first tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne: You might have heard this rule for your closets. Turn all the hangers backward, and anything still backward in a year should be given away. These are the items you don’t wear, but that are taking up valuable real estate in your closet. Try to keep sentimental items to a minimum. You can also apply this rule to other clutter-prone areas of your house. Think kitchen gadgets, craft supplies, old DVD’s, and so on. If you haven’t used it in the past year, the odds are pretty low that it will get any use in the future.
Tip #2 – Repurpose And Give
The second tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne is to give some of that stuff away! You likely have many things you are keeping due to sentimental value. While it is more than ok to hang on to some of this stuff, having too much can weigh you down. Old Christmas ornaments in the back of the closet? Maybe your kids or grand kids would love to have them! Old toys, clothes, and artworks can find new homes with people you love. This way you can find joy in knowing they are being used and loved, without taking up storage space in your house.
Tip #3 – Look Through All The Boxes
The third tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne is to look through everything! Yes, it’s quite a bit of work. But for many people, they will find that all kinds of random possessions have accumulated. You may find duplicates of items, or wonder why you’re keeping your third grade macaroni art. You may end up keeping one or two things, giving away or throwing away the rest. You might be surprised at what has piled up over the years!
Tip #4 – Assess Your Furniture
The fourth tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne is to look at your furniture: Do you need the massive sectional sofa anymore? What about the giant coffee table? Think about what will fit nicely in your future new space. Hang the TV up on the wall, and get rid of the TV stand. You can opt for a smaller couch, dining table, etc. You can sell these items, and use the cash toward new furniture for your new space.
Tip #5 – Digitize Where It Makes Sense
Number five tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne is to go digital. Piles of papers all over the house driving you nuts! Does this sound familiar? It seems we all have a stack of papers (or 5) that we are going to get around to dealing with. Toss or shred anything you no longer need. Keep old bills and receipts if needed, and opt to go paperless for future statements. Make a rule to deal with mail as it comes in instead of letting it pile up everywhere.
Tip #6 – Get Rid Of The Dupes
The sixth tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne is to get rid of duplicates! Do you need 4 sets of wine glasses or will one set do? Do you need two desks in the office or can you share one? There are many instances where people buy 2 of something, never using both at the same time. Do you REALLY need four staplers? Take an inventory and keep your favorite items, giving away or selling the other items.
Tip #7 – Organize Everything
The seventh tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne is to be organized. Organize all of your stuff before moving. Group books, glassware, clothing, and other items. This will make packing and moving simple when you decide to go. Pack similar items and label all boxes.
Tip #8 – Hire A Pro
The last tip on downsizing your home in Fort Wayne is to just hire someone. Yes, there is such a thing. You can hire a professional organizer to help you clear out the clutter. It may make it easier to let go of certain items you are holding onto and not willing to let go.They can offer objective opinions and make it less stressful. They will help you get your belongings in order, making an eventual move a breeze.