There are many reasons why a person would want to downsize to a smaller home. Studies have shown that 53% of people choose to downsize because of a change in circumstances. This could be that your children have moved out and you no longer need a big space, or perhaps you are trying to save money and you want less expense. Whatever the reason may be, choosing to downsize is a big decision, so here are our top tips to help you along.
Declutter
Decluttering is a good way to organise your belongings and decide what you want to take with you and what could be donated. When you are downsizing to a smaller home, it is a good idea to declutter beforehand, so you don’t fill your new smaller space with unnecessary clutter. Parting with belongings can be an emotional and stressful process, so it could be useful to ask friends and family to help you. This could be beneficial as once you have sorted through your belongings, you can give some of your unwanted stuff to your friends and family before you donate it elsewhere. You may feel better about giving away some of your sentimental belongings to people you know, opposed to a charity shop.
Consider Putting Some Things In Storage
You may find that after decluttering, you have belongings that you don’t want to part with, but you know they won’t fit in your new space. For example, you may have a dining set that is of sentimental value, but it is too bulky for your new home. In instances like this, it would be a good idea to put your belongings in storage until they can find a new permanent home. Always make sure you go with a reputable storage company, as you want to guarantee your personal belongings are in safe hands. If you are in London, Stored Away would be a great company to use as not only do they store your belongings, but they will collect them and deliver them back to you when you need them.
Research Your New Neighbourhood
Another thing you need to consider when downsizing your home is your new neighbourhood. If you have lived in your current place for some time, you would have become familiar with the surrounding area and all of its amenities. When looking for your new home, be sure to research the area and find out whether it has everything you need. It could be a good idea to join some local groups on social media so you can gain first-hand insight from the people who do live there. They will be able to tell you everything you need to know about the area and may even have some recommendations of the best streets to buy a house. Then, when you have decided on an area, you would already know some people, so moving would feel less daunting or isolating. This article gives some great tips about how to choose a new area to live in.