Downsizing Your Dwelling

The “forever” home you purchased twenty years ago has been great for raising a family. Now that your nest is empty, you notice those extra bedrooms and large yard are more than you need. You might also notice that while its walls hold a lot of memories, they also hold a lot of stuff. Downsizing can be the right move for any stage of life. The process of downsizing can also be overwhelming. ABC Quality Moving and Storage has kept St. Louis on the move for over 30 years and offers these tips to navigate your way through dumping your junk and welcoming in your new clutter-free lifestyle.

Downsizing begins as soon as you’ve decided to move. The best scenario has you starting your stuff sort at least three months before your move date, but there is no need to stress if you’ve got limited time. A thoughtful and organized approach is what it takes to tackle the job ahead. Consider using a moving checklist and periodic reminders to keep you on track.
Tackle one room at a time. Thoughts of sorting and packing your entire home can be daunting. You are more likely to complete the process if you break it down to manageable goals. Start with one room, or even one closet. Leave that room empty when you are finished with it, and use it as a motivator as you move to the next one.
Use the four-box method. Limit your options to four. Take an item and put into one of four boxes

Keep: These are the must-have items that you will not leave behind, no matter what the size of your new place.
Donate: These are clothes, towels, kitchen tools and gently used items you won’t use anymore but are not worth selling.
Trash/Recycle: If it has been broken a while, you are not going to fix it. Your 1996 laptop is not vintage, it is old. So fill up your trashcan with holey t-shirts and recycle your electronics and paint cans responsibly.
Sell. Your nearly new sofa can earn you some cash toward your moving budget. If you are pressed for time, skip the yard sale. Sell the big-ticket items and donate the rest.

Notice one of these is not labeled Storage. Do your best to avoid putting off the sorting process. Storage is a great short-term solution. If your goal is to genuinely live a simpler life with smaller space and less clutter, don’t sabotage yourself by just relocating boxes and procrastinating your declutter.

Follow the 12-month rule. That foosball table the kids used to enjoy is just collecting dust in the basement. It is right next to the box of college math textbooks you kept just in case you needed to reference something later. If you haven’t used it or worn it in the past 12 months, give yourself permission to let go of it. Downsizing brings to the surface what you truly need to live comfortably and will challenge your priorities on what should stay and go. It is all right to disregard this rule for special items. No, your back-up toaster (in case the other one goes out) is not a special item.
Know what will fit into your new space. Your measuring tape will be your new best friend throughout the downsizing process. As much as you love your overstuffed sectional, it may not have a place in your new living space. Do you really need the dining table that seat 8? Just because your new place is smaller does not mean that it can’t be just as functional. Embrace the opportunity to revamp your style, and seek out multifunction furniture and storage options.
Choose a mover that can move and store your items, as well as remove your junk. ABC Quality Moving and Storage is your one stop shop for the entire moving process. We can haul away the stuff you no longer need. We can store the times you need to put aside for bit, and we can pack and move your items to your new place. Local or long distance moves, ABC Quality Moving and Storage can do it all!

Downsizing does not have to be stressful. It creates new opportunities and can save you time and money. Let the experts of ABC Quality Moving and Storage take care of your belongings as if they were our own. Our moves won’t downsize your wallet! For affordable and professional moving services, call ABC Quality Moving and Storage today at 1-888-983-MOVE (6683).