How to Effectively Downsize Before Moving

Planning a move soon? Then get ready to downsize, even if you don’t know it yet. Most people realize they have way more stuff than they thought once they start packing. They also find out that a lot of this stuff is unused, unwanted, or just plain unnecessary.

Instead of panicking when packing day arrives, start sorting through your belongings weeks or even months in advance. Downsizing can make the process much more manageable. One of the best ways to do this is by donating items to charity organizations.

The Downsizing Process: How-To Hacks

Here are a few tips for deciding which items to get rid of and which ones you need to keep:

Decide What You Would Replace if You Lost it

When beginning the downsizing process, make a list of things you’d immediately replace if you lost them. Even if these items are technically irreplaceable, like family heirlooms, put them on the list if you’d want them back right away. This exercise helps you think about which items really mean a lot to you and which ones you can live without.

Go Through Each Room Individually

Just thinking about what you have in each room isn’t enough. Go through each room, including bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, and garages. Take note of everything in there. Pay special attention to items you forgot you even had or know you don’t want to take with you when you move.

Use Floor Plans of Your New Home

Surprisingly, people often forget about their new home when downsizing. When deciding which furniture to keep and which to donate, get a floor plan of your new home. Visualize where the furniture will go, then decide which pieces don’t fit in.

Get an Objective Opinion

You’re attached to your stuff, which can make it hard to decide what to throw away. Get a friend or family member to help. They can say, “You’re never going to use that – donate pile!” Their objective opinion is always helpful.

Consider if Others Need it More

Saving that old crib in your storage room just in case your kids ever have kids? Rather than moving such a large item to your new home when it might be years before you need it, consider whether someone else could use it more.

There are plenty of charities that help single parents and others in need of furniture and other items. These organizations could really use the things you’re hanging on to “just in case.”

At Two Small Men, we’ve developed a relationship with the Cerebral Palsy Associations of Alberta and BC. This partnership helps our customers downsize before moving and give back to deserving charities at the same time.

Share your Downsizing/Decluttering tips and tricks in the comments below! If you're planning a move, make sure to get your free moving estimate from Two Small Men today.