Planning a move to a smaller home? If you currently reside in a moderately sized abode, downsizing can present a real challenge. Deciding what you need, what you want, and more importantly, what can fit into your new home is no easy task. At Ace Moving & Warehousing, it’s our job to make your move as stress free as possible, so if you’re attempting to consolidate your stuff, take the following tips to heart!
Tip #1: Start Planning Early
Though you’re moving into a smaller space, downsizing is no small endeavor. If you currently live in a moderately sized home, consolidating its contents can prove frustrating, especially if you’re not sure what to toss and what you plan to keep. As with all large projects, the best way to handle an endeavor of this magnitude is to start planning as early as possible. Here’s how to get a jump on the process:
● Start tracking how often you use your things. Try sorting items into boxes and keeping track of which ones you remove from each box most often. After a month, make a “must-have” list of the items you use most frequently. Get rid of the items that never left the box.
● Make a list of dual-purpose items. There are plenty of things around your house that have more than one potential use. When you downsize, these items will come in handy since they help you save additional space.
● Tackle donations little by little. If you have a ton of stuff—books are a great example—you won’t be able to take everything with you to your smaller space. For every five books you just can’t let go of, donate five books to your local donation center. Try to complete small tasks like this on a daily basis to cut down on packing time as your move date approaches.
Tip #2: Get Rid of Duplicate Items
When you’re downsizing, there’s no room for duplicate possessions. If your grandma sends you the same Christmas gift every year—and you’ve been hoarding them for sentimental reasons—it’s time to kick your discerning side into high gear. You already know you don’t need seven pairs of fluffy slippers, so pick one and donate the rest! Depending on the size of the home you’re moving into, there’s a very real chance your storage spaces won’t be capable of housing excess stuff.
Tip #3: Whip Out Your Measuring Tape
Taking accurate measurements is critical when you’re getting ready to downsize. If you know the dimensions of your new abode, accurately measuring your current possessions can help you determine what will and will not fit in the space. Taking measurements also helps your moving company assess the scope of your move and the type of equipment they’ll need to bring.
Even if you don’t already know where you plan to move, measuring your must-have furniture items is still essential. Once you know the size of the things you just can’t live without, you can determine how much space you’ll need to look for when scoping out new places to live.
Tip #4: Purge First, Pack Second
Want to create extra work for yourself and your moving company? Want to pay extra for additional packing services or truck space you don’t really need? Of course you don’t! Unfortunately, though, that’s what many homeowners end up doing when they choose to relocate.
Packing and transporting everything first, followed by a major downsizing later, might seem like the most efficient way to move. In reality, though, the process works much more efficiently when you approach it from the other end. Get rid of what you don’t need first, which will give you a better idea of how much packing material you’ll need for your move. Only after you’ve gone through all your possessions should you begin the packing process.
Tip #5: Rent a Storage Unit
Last but definitely not least, start scoping out places to store your extra stuff. Downsizing everything you own can be challenging, and if you’re particularly attached to your stuff, a storage unit can really come in handy. Here’s what to look for in a storage unit:
● Security monitoring. Make sure your storage facility has continuous security monitoring to ensure your possessions remain protected.
● Inventory inspection. If you’re storing many items, you’ll want to make sure everything remains safe and intact. Look for a storage solution that offers routine inventory inspections and verifications to ensure none of your possessions randomly disappear.
● Climate-controlled storage. Outdoor temperatures and humidity can wreak havoc on your valuables, so look for a climate-controlled storage building that maintains constant temperature and humidity control. These types of storage buildings also help protect your belongings from pests because they’re thoroughly sealed from the outside elements.
Need Storage Solutions? Professional Movers? Contact Ace Moving & Warehousing Today
Whether you’re looking for professional assistance with your Minneapolis relocation or you just need a space to store your stuff, at Ace Moving & Warehousing, you have options. Our team of professional movers and packers can help you prepare and move your things, and for anything that doesn’t fit in your new space, our climate-controlled storage solutions provide unmatched security.
To learn more about how we can make your move as stress free as possible, give our team a call at 763-755-2045 or send us a message on our contact page. Need a preliminary pricing estimate? Feel free to request your quote online, and we’ll be in touch!