A person may decide to shift from a home to an apartment for various reasons. While some people no longer want the upkeep responsibilities associated with a home, others downsize owing to financial challenges.
In either case, downsizing can lead to considerable anxiety and stress for anyone. When downsizing, you must face the challenge of creating a new space with restricted room for accessories, furniture, and clothes.
Chances are, you’ll be unable to fit the stuff you have accumulated into a smaller space and it is hard knowing what to keep and what to eliminate.
If you are planning on downsizing, these tips will help facilitate the transition.
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Plan Ahead
Don’t wait to make last-minute decisions. Start planning early and set goals. For families and couples, ensure everybody’s on the same page to eliminate hurt feelings and conflicts in the future.
The lack of proper planning may lead to the elimination of something you actually require. With time, you can arrange yard sales and examine a wider range of apartments.
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Thorough Inventory
It is hard to know what to eliminate when you lack a solid picture of your possessions. List all your belongings including furniture and appliances. You may wish to take stock of other items such as books. Stocktaking will help you identify the items to keep and those you could donate.
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Storage Space
Unfortunately, your new living space will be unable to offer the same amount of cabinet and closet space that your home did. Moreover, most apartment complexes don’t provide basement storage.
It is important you consider both factors before deciding which items will feature in the move. You should also measure every room in your new living space to determine what you can fit in the rooms before you begin moving.
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De-Clutter
You must accept that your space is limited, so don’t introduce clutter into your new place. This will only make your space feel more crammed. De-cluttering can be daunting, so do it a room at a time.
If you’re overwhelmed, try committing 20-30 minutes daily until you complete the entire apartment. A major de-clutter can often decrease the amount of stuff you own in half. Ensure you de-clutter the drawer, closet, or shelf that carries miscellaneous items.
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Don’t Duplicate
You don’t have room for two pans or three sets of glasses. Ensure you also get rid of the extra furniture. You could donate the extras to a local charity.
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Rent Storage Space
After fitting everything in your new space, you may still have a lot of stuff for your new living space. In this case, pack excess items and place them in storage.
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Think Multipurpose and Quality
You need to settle for quality instead of quantity. Select a great piece of furniture that makes a statement instead of attempting to squeeze various pieces in one room. If you are purchasing new furniture, select multipurpose furniture instead.
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Optimize Space in Your New Living Space
Although your new apartment may be smaller, there are various ways to maximize space for instance organizing your closets and adding shelves.
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Sell, recycle, or donate
You could make some cash by selling items online. You could also inform your friends through social networks. Alternatively, you could recycle or donate what you don’t require.
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Must-have List
Go through every room in your home and note the necessary items. Pieces such as your bed or couch may be obvious while items that have sentimental value may require careful consideration.
If you’re planning to downsize but don’t know where to start, contact Apartment Agents or leave other suggestions.
Image: Downsizing