Downsizing, Moving

Tips for Downsizing

The following was send into me by Andrea Sinclair, a local professional organizer. She specializes on organizing the disorganized, and helps sellers facing the challenge of downsizing. I highly recommend her.

Tips for Downsizing Your Home

There are many reasons someone may choose to downsize their home. Life changing events such as children leaving home, divorce or an illness make it impractical to live in such a large house. For a growing number of families it makes financial sense to downsize to a smaller home and use the space they have more efficiently. Whatever the reason good planning will make the process go a lot smoother.

The first thing I hear from clients when they call about their need to downsize is “I don’t know where to start”.

Getting Started:

• Make time: Start early, at least a few months before your move. Set aside blocks of time when you’re not feeling tired or stressed. Going through years of “stuff” can be an emotional task.

• Gather Supplies: Good packing boxes, tape, a black marker pen and strong black trash bags for donation items. Keep a pad and pen handy to record information about family history or special memories that are connected to special items. Colored stickers are good for placing on items to be bequeathed to family members and friends.

• Where to start: Start in rooms that are used the least. A guest room, basement or garage is a good place to begin so not to clutter up areas that are used the most in your home.

• Sort and Purge: Start sorting in 3 piles, to keep, to donate or sell and to give away to family and friends. Be realistic about what to keep. Consider the size of your new home and what you really love and use regularly. Do you really need that extra set of dishes when you no longer have large dinner parties? Put aside any letters, cards or memorabilia you come across to look at later so you can remain focused and on task. Consider bequeathing items now rather than when you’re gone. Think of the pleasure it will bring to see your granddaughter enjoying the antique dresser you intend to give her while you’re still here. Now is the time to get your adult children to take any stuff you’ve been storing for them. Give a time limit for them to take what they want, after that, it will be donated or thrown away.

• Packing: When you finish an area or room, pack what you’re keeping right away. Assign each room a color and use colored dots on the boxes to identify where the boxes go in your new home. Also write what’s in the box so after your move you can easily find things you need right away.

Helping people downsize their homes is one of many organizing services Roomaker Organizing provides. Call today and ask how we can help you get more out of life.

Andrea Sinclair

Professional Organizer

Roomaker Organizing

206.419.9261

andrea@roomakerorganizing.com

WWW.roomakerorganizing.com

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Treasurer, National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter

Get Organized Month Chair, Seattle NAPO

Also, check out this article in the Times about a couple’s experience downsizing. Sometimes the best experts are those who have recently done it themselves!