Downsizing your home can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation and strategy, you can make the transition smooth and stress-free. Whether you're an empty nester, looking to reduce maintenance, or wanting to cut living expenses, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate every step of the downsizing process.
Why people choose to downsize their homes
There are many reasons that people opt for downsizing their property: perhaps the children have flown the nest to their own homes and it's no longer necessary to maintain a home with so many bedrooms; or maybe you've reached an age where the gardening and maintenance are simply becoming too much to manage; you want to move to be nearer to your family; or you simply want to reduce the amount you are paying each month to furnish your mortgage and other living expenses.
The emotional challenge of downsizing
Whatever the purpose behind your decision to move to a smaller property, you'll also need to think about downsizing everything that you have in the current home. Because all that furniture and the number of knick-knacks and possessions that you've accumulated over the years will probably not fit into a smaller property - or, if it does, there will be a sense of claustrophobia that sets in as you are surrounded by so many things with less room to move around.
Moving home in itself can feel overwhelming at times with so much to think about and prepare for, so you shouldn't underestimate how much effort is required for the additional downsizing activity. And there will be an emotional element that you need to consider, too - after all, you'll be going through everything and deciding what to do with it, and many of the items will probably trigger memories that might make it difficult for downsizing to be completed rationally.
How to start decluttering when downsizing
Focus on one room at a time
With so many rooms in your current home, plus any sheds, loft spaces and cellars, the task of where to start can feel tremendous to the point of inertia. It's therefore critical to start with focusing in one room and completing the decluttering process there before moving on to the next one. Not only will you be able to focus more clearly on the objective, but you'll also have a sense of achievement once each room is completed.
Start with furniture, not small items
What is also useful to is avoid the temptation to open drawers and boxes at the outset, since you are likely to be swamped with the smaller items and the memories associated with them. Age UK suggests looking at the furniture as the starting point. Ask the question whether you will be taking all the furniture with you (wardrobes, chest of drawers, bedside tables, the beds themselves). If the answer is no, you can think about selling the pieces on or donating them (either to charity, or by asking friends and family if they want them) - or even taking them to the local tip to get rid of. The key task is to do that now so that the room is emptier and less of a mountain to climb.
The three-pile decluttering system
As for the possessions in the boxes, drawers and cupboards, you should systematically go through them and divide them up into three piles: what to keep (and don't worry about how you're going to transport them to your smaller home just yet), what to donate to charity, and which to chuck in a skip or take to the tip.
Something to bear in mind is just how much space you'll have at your new home: do you really need whatever you are considering? Or are you simply deferring any such decision to later? If it's the latter, then you need to be strong and decide what to do with it now.
Preparing for the downsizing process
Measure your new home space
Most estate agents provide detailed floor plans with the property particulars, but, once you've had your offer accepted on the smaller property, you can arrange to make a visit and take your own measurements.
This means that you have the basic information you need to assist in the decision-making process of what to keep and what to let go. After all, if a piece of furniture simply isn't going to fit or takes up too much space in the new property, your decision is made for you.
Allow plenty of time for decluttering
Finally, don't underestimate how much time the decluttering effort is going to take. Organising tip runs, a skip delivery, charity pick-ups, sales online or locally and so on all have their own requirements and all will take time to organise and execute.
At the same time, don't rush yourself into making decisions purely to get the decluttering exercise out of the way - you might want to ask for help from a friend or family member, who will be able to keep the process objective.
Moving day tips for downsized homes
Having expended the effort with the decluttering as well as measuring up and deciding what furniture and possessions are going to go and where, the day of moving, while still tiring, should be far less overwhelming.
Mark each box with the room destination and list where the furniture is planned to go so that your removals firm is clear on what goes where, which should make the moving process a far slicker process than trying to decide where to put things on the spot and then having to move them between rooms after the event.
Legal help for your downsizing move
When downsizing, you'll want to keep legal costs to a minimum while ensuring a smooth transaction. Homeward Legal offers affordable conveyancing services with fixed-price quotes and a 'no completion, no fee' promise for added protection.
Call for your conveyancing quote or use our online quote generator.