Have you decided to downsize your home? Whether you’re going it alone or getting help from a professional who provides home downsizing services, it can be a challenging process. For that reason, we have compiled a few useful tips for downsizing your home.

You probably know the basics: Declutter. Organize your possessions. Don’t leave everything until the last minute. This type of encouragement usually comes from well-meaning friends, family members, and even real estate agents. But it’s not always helpful.

If you want the downsizing process to be as low-stress as possible, you need to take concrete steps toward moving into your new home.

Here’s our Top Tips for Downsizing Your Home

1) Measure Everything

Clients often forget that when it comes to measuring a room, you can’t rely on your eyes. Measure your new space precisely, and do it as early as possible. You’ll need plenty of time to sell or donate any furniture and appliances that won’t fit.

First, you’ll need to create a blueprint of your space.

Here’s how to do this manually:

• Use a tape measure to determine the length/width of each room. For rooms that aren’t perfectly square or rectangular, measure all alcoves. Include doors and windows, and note their placements.

• Using the information above, sketch out each room on a piece of graph paper. Have each square represent 1 square foot of space.

The easiest way to get a true visual representation of your space is by using a floor plan app. Free apps include Floor Plan Creator (for Android) and Magic Plan (available for iOS and Android).

Next, you’ll need to measure the large items you plan to bring with you. For each major appliance or piece of furniture, collect these key dimensions:

Height

How tall is the item at its highest point?

Width

How long is the item, item end-to-end? For a couch, extend your tape measure from one arm to the other, focusing on the points that extends out furthest.

Depth

How far will a piece of furniture extend into a room? Measure from the back (the part that will sit up against the wall) to the front.

Using these measurements, sketch the placement of your furniture inside of your floor plan to see what will fit, and what you’ll need to leave behind.

Don’t forget to consider the space you leave between your pieces of furniture!

2) Donate Strategically

Looking to donate your gently-used items? Put some thought into which charity you want to support. Remember that many non-profit organizations will come pick up your clothing, furniture, and other household items.

While charitable donating is a great way to help your community, you may also need extra money for new furnishings. Here are a few ways you can make a pretty penny from those possessions you no longer need.

Consignment and vintage shops

If you have any designer or vintage clothing that you’re not planning to bring to your new home, you can probably find a specialty shop in Calgary that will pay top dollar for it.

Online Marketplaces

E-commerce sites like eBay, Bonanza, and eBid allow online buyers to bid on everything from those tennis rackets you won’t use again to that hand blender you never took out of the package.

Have a garage sale

Garage sales appeal to bargain hunters, which make them a great way to get rid of all kinds of items. You might not get much for your old paperback books, but furniture and appliances can fetch a tidy sum. A general rule of thumb: you can sell a piece of furniture in good condition for up to one-third of its original price.

3) Find Unexpected Storage

After taking your measurements, you might realize you need to buy some pieces of furniture that are more compact. When you go shopping, look for items that have built-in storage space. Vertical shoe racks, ottomans that open up, and beds that contain drawers are all great space-savers.

In your new home, the wall space will be your friend. Here are a few ways to use those walls:

• mount your bike
• hang your kitchen utensils
• attach organizer caddies
• mount floating shelves

Floating shelves are especially useful when it comes to downsizing your home since they take up less space than traditional bookcases. And you can buy them in various lengths, allowing you to use even smaller sections of wall space.

Remember to always be mindful when buying new things. Downsizers often fall into the trap of trying to get organized by buying a ton of new stuff from Ikea or the Container Store, which can add to clutter.

Downsizing Your Home is an Important Decision

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the downsizing process? The right real estate agent and home downsizing services professional can simplify the process. So don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

First and foremost, remember that moving is an opportunity. A new home represents a fresh start, so it makes sense to put some serious thought into the kind of environment you want to live in.

 

Need help with downsizing your home? We can simplify the process together. Get in touch today and let’s talk about it.