Life Simplified: A Guide to Successful Downsizing

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Written By: Amy Fukuizumi

As our lifestyles change through different phases of life, so do our living spaces. Whether you’re an empty nester seeking a smaller, more manageable home or a minimalist embracing tiny living, downsizing offers numerous benefits—including less clutter, lower expenses, and greater freedom.

Transitioning to a smaller home presents both challenges and opportunities.

This post will guide you through the process of downsizing, from deciding what to keep to adjusting to a smaller living space.

Embrace the Change

The first step is embracing the change. Downsizing is about readjusting your life to better suit your current needs and desires. Take the time to explore the benefits of downsizing – lower expenses, less maintenance, greater flexibility – and get excited about this new approach to your living space.

Define Your Priorities

Decide what’s really important to you. This process can be emotional, but it’s essential in downsizing.
It’s unlikely everything you own will fit in a smaller new home, so consider what items truly add value and happiness to your life.

Belongings hold memories, but remember that you keep the memories, even if you remove the physical items.

Plan Your Space

Before you begin the decluttering process, have a plan for your new space. Here are a few simple ways to start planning:

  • Evaluate the layout of your new home and decide which pieces of furniture and belongings will fit both physically and aesthetically.
  • Sketching out a basic floor plan can provide a clear picture of your new space and prevent you from holding onto items that won’t fit.
  • Create a mood board to see how you can blend pieces together and to really get a visual plan of how your space will look.

Declutter Methodically

Decluttering your home can seem overwhelming, but by taking a systematic approach, you can simplify the process and create a more organized living environment. Follow these steps to declutter effectively:

  • Proceed room by room.
  • Assess your belongings and divide them into four categories: keep, sell, donate, and discard.
  • Be honest with yourself about what you’ll use and need in your new home.
  • Invite a friend who lives in space that you admire to join you, if you want another opinion.

Here’s a pro tip: if you haven’t used an item in a year, it’s probably time to let go.

Sell, Donate, and Discard

Once you’ve sorted your items, it’s time to dispose of the “sell”, “donate”, and “discard” piles.

For your “sell” items, you can:

  • Organize a yard sale
  • List items online
  • Take them to a consignment shop

For your “donate” items:

  • Donate usable items to charities
  • Offer free items on social media
  • List on local buy nothing/swap groups

For your “discard” plies:

  • Use environmentally friendly disposal methods

Utilize Storage Wisely

Storage is a precious commodity in a smaller home. As you pack, think about how you’ll store belongings in your new home. Use space-saving techniques and items like vacuum bags to store bulkier items. Invest in multifunctional furniture that serves both as a usable space and storage. Here are a few items to consider:

  • Storage Ottoman: Functions as a footrest or extra seating while providing hidden storage inside.
  • Sofa Bed with Storage: Offers seating and a pull-out bed for guests, with built-in storage compartments underneath.
  • Lift-Top Coffee Table: The tabletop lifts to reveal storage space, perfect for keeping remote controls, magazines, or blankets.
  • Storage Bench: Can be placed in entryways, bedrooms, or living rooms, providing seating and storage space inside.
  • Bookshelf Room Divider: Serves as a stylish room divider with shelves for storing books, decor, and other items.
  • Murphy Bed with Shelving: A fold-down bed that includes built-in shelving units for storage when the bed is not in use.
  • Storage Desk: A desk with built-in drawers, cubbies, or shelves for organizing office supplies and paperwork.
  • Storage Chaise Lounge: A chaise lounge with hidden storage under the seat, ideal for storing blankets, pillows, or toys.
  • Under-Bed Storage Drawers: Drawers that fit under the bed, providing ample space for storing clothes, shoes, or linens.
  • Convertible Dining Table with Storage: A dining table with built-in storage compartments or shelves, perfect for keeping dining essentials handy.

Adjusting to the New Space

Moving into a new, smaller living space can require some adjustment. And at the same time, you can celebrate a new sense of spaciousness when unloved items are removed from your surroundings.

Optimize storage. Implement innovative storage solutions – wall shelves, hooks, under-bed storage – to free up visual and actual space. Get creative with your arrangements and find what configurations work best for you.

“Rightsizing” is a process of liberation, simplification, and renewal. You are not just reducing the amount of stuff in your life; you are creating mental space for the next chapter.