ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Michael Maffucci

Michael Maffucci is a third-generation mover and President of Verity Van Lines, Long Island’s leading moving company. Learn more about Michael Maffucci.

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Overview

Downsizing to a smaller home can be a big adjustment, but with the right mindset and preparation, it can also be a smart and rewarding move. Start by thoroughly assessing your new home's storage space so you know how much you need to pare down. Make tough decisions about what to keep before you move and consider adopting a “one in/one out” policy to avoid future clutter. Stay focused on the positives, like less maintenance and lower bills, and if there are things you’re not ready to part with, talk to your mover about storage options.

Five Keys to Moving into a Smaller Home

Moving into a smaller home when you’ve spent most of your life in a large one can be quite a challenge. However, once the dust settles and you have successfully downsized, you’ll realize you made the right decision. Below are five keys to moving into a smaller home that will help make the transition a bit easier.

1. Thoroughly Asses Your New Home

Get a gauge of home much storage space your new home has. This will give you a clear picture of how much room you have and how much you’ll need to downsize.

2. Make the Tough Decisions Before You Move

It’s time to make the tough choices and decide what you will keep and what you will have to get rid of. This can be a difficult and emotional process, but you must decide which items are absolutely necessary and which aren’t. Remember that you are moving into a smaller home and you will have to downsize your possessions accordingly. On a positive note, this is a great time to eliminate duplicate items, junk, old clothing and other useless things you may not even know you had!

3. Adopt a ‘One In/One-Out’ Policy

A smaller home means that storage space is at a premium, and if you’re not paying attention, it can become cluttered very quickly. A one in/one out policy will help you avoid this problem. For every new item you bring into your home, plan to eliminate one item from storage.

4. Always Remember the Benefits of Downsizing

While you’re in the process of downsizing, don’t forget to focus on the positive benefits of downsizing such as less home maintenance, lower monthly bills and greater ease getting around your new home. Seeing things in a positive light will make your move far less stressful.

5. Consider Storage Options

There may be furniture or other large items which you don’t want to get rid of immediately because they could come in handy in the near future. Speak to your moving professional about full-service storage options.