It’s easy to accumulate a lot of furniture and possessions. The longer you live in a house, the more clutter tends to pile up. Unless you’re a very strict minimalist, you’re likely to find you have more stuff than you planned for when you need to move house. Downsizing your possessions is one way to make a fresh start and make your move much smoother. It also is another way of letting go of what you don’t need so you can move into a new home filled with only your most treasured possessions.
If you need some tips for downsizing, the Ready Movers team is happy to help. Here’s our guide to easier, more effective downsizing, which will help you enjoy an easier move.
Pros and Cons of Downsizing
Here are some pros and cons of downsizing your belongings before you move house.
Pros
Less to move
With fewer belongings to worry about, you know you’ll only have to transport things you actually need into your new house. There is no need to worry about paying just to move excess stuff you won’t use.
You can make some extra cash
Selling your unwanted belongings at a garage sale or online marketplace means some extra cash in your pocket before your move.
Less time packing
With fewer things to organise, you won’t have to spend as much time packing, so the process is quicker and less overwhelming.
More efficient use of space
If your new home has less space to work with, you’ll be able to better organise it and avoid overcrowding.
Cons
Emotional attachments
If you’ve been in the same house for a while, choosing what to part with may mean saying goodbye to things you have strong memories attached to. Deciding which items to hold onto for sentimental value and which ones to get rid of isn’t always easy.
Regret
There’s always the danger of getting caught up in the moment and downsizing too much, realising later on that you got rid of something you still highly value or that serves a useful purpose.
Needing replacements
You may get rid of something you barely use, only to find you need it at your new place. If you decide to discard any useful cooking utensils or cleaning tools, make sure you have another in tow.
When Is It Time To Downsize?
To downsize or not to downsize? Here are some signs that it’s time to lighten your load before relocating to a new place.
Your new home is smaller
If you’re moving somewhere with less space than you’re accustomed to, this is the perfect opportunity to rid yourself of anything you don’t need.
Your current home feels overcrowded
If you’re constantly tripping over clutter and you can never find anything for all the mess, downsizing your possessions can give you a bit more space and comfort.
You’re entering a new stage in life
People’s needs change throughout their lives, including as far as living arrangements go. If your kids have left the nest or you’re moving from a standalone house to a retirement village, for example, it’s an excellent time to downsize.
You want to simplify
Ridding yourself of excess possessions can be a good start to living a simpler, more intentional life. If you’re feeling weighed down by the things you own or you see further relocations or travel in your future, now is the time to release some of that physical baggage. Owning fewer possessions can be a start to focusing only on what’s meaningful and important to us and making space to live our lives to the fullest.
How to Know What Throw Out and What to Keep
There’s no point packing up a box of stuff only to decide once you’re at your new place that you want to get rid of it. Yet it can be difficult to decide what to hold onto and what to sell, especially with the deadline of a moving date looming. Here are some tips for downsizing for starters:
Get rid of anything you haven’t used in over a year
This includes everything from kitchen appliances to sporting equipment, as well as any clothing you haven’t worn in a year and furniture that just sits in the corner unused.
Get rid of multiple items
If you have four or five of the same kitchen implements, getting rid of some will free up some space for your move and in your new house.
Throw out anything that’s out of date
This includes everything from expired food to bathroom products past their used-by date.
Consider sentimental value
You probably have some souvenirs and heirlooms that mean something to you on a personal level, even if they’re not the most practical items. It’s worth holding onto some items that evoke particular memories for you, even if you don’t strictly need them.
What You Need To Get Rid Of
Household chemicals
Flammable and poisonous chemicals can be hazardous to transport, and many removalists refuse them. This includes a whole range of substances from garage chemicals like fuel, motor oil and paint thinner to cleaners like bleach and ammonia to pesticides and herbicides. Make sure you dispose of these chemicals properly rather than just putting them in a box.
Old linen
While holding onto old towels or blankets is harmless, ageing linen can get a bit ratty and occupy a lot of space. Just make sure you still have enough towels and linen for your family and guests, and you can do away with thin, stretched dishcloths and sheets with holes in them.
Unnecessary furniture
You may find you have too much furniture for your new house, it doesn’t suit the space, or you’ve just outgrown it. If you have built-in wardrobes at your new place, for example, a freestanding one might not be necessary. Selling unwanted furniture gives you some extra money for the move and lets you enjoy additional space at your new address.
Move All Your Household Belongings With Ready Movers
Want to take the stress out of your move? Ready Movers provides local and interstate removalist services trusted around the country, from Brisbane to Townsville, Cairns to Darwin and Adelaide.
Ready Movers has helped more than 20,000 customers move. No matter the size or the distance of your move, our capable team can handle it. Our fleet of company-owned trucks means we always have the right vehicles for every move.
Home removalist services we offer include packing and unpacking everything from a single room to a whole home, disassembling and reassembling furniture and supplying packing materials. Our moves come with an affordable hourly rate, your own dedicated move manager, and a No Damage Written Guarantee on local moves. Whether you need more tips for downsizing or you’re ready for a moving quote, contact the team at Ready Movers.
