Bring in the moving boxes. It’s time to downsize and plenty of boxes are going to be needed. Perhaps you’ve recently found yourself as an empty-nester or are simply looking to reap the benefits of tiny house living. Whatever the reason is for your downsizing, this is the ultimate guide to doing just that.
Separate the Items Into Three Categories
As you look at the items throughout your home, the mere concept of going through all of your belongings and getting rid of the majority of them can seem daunting. So, it’s important to slowly work your way through the process.
Start by assigning three boxes – one for items you’ll donate, one for items you’ll sell and one for items you will throw out. Make sure to label them with large writing to ensure your belongings get put in the right categories and then slowly work your way through each room of your home, assigning more boxes to each category as needed.
It’s also highly recommended to start this process as soon as possible, preferably three months in advance to give yourself ample time to complete this task, sans any stress.
Separate the Rest of the Items into Two Categories
Once you’ve completed the first step, your home will be left with only the items you want to keep. However, you’ve likely noticed that there are several items you want to keep but don’t need in your future humble abode. So, assign two boxes – one for items you’ll move and one for items you’ll store, and again, slowly work your way through your items.
Rent a Storage Unit for The Items You Can’t Part From
For the items you’ll be storing, you’ll want to do so in a storage unit as opposed to in your new, smaller home to avoid adding clutter and taking up valuable space. A storage unit will also ensure proper storing conditions for your items and you still have access to them whenever you please.
Decrease the Quantity of Items You Have
When moving from a larger home into a smaller one, it’s important to remember that everything is likely to be smaller – from your cupboard space to the number of drawers, closet space, etc. So, the next step is to decrease the quantity of items, such as the number of bowls and plates you have, cutlery, linens, seasonal decorations, etc.
You may want to assign some more boxes, depending on whether you’ll be storing, donating or selling the extra items to maintain optimal organization.
Additionally, you’ll want to decrease how much furniture you have. Perhaps you’re moving from a three-bedroom home into a one-bedroom and will no longer need three full sets of bedroom furniture. Again, you can store, donate or sell these items.
Label the Remaining Boxes with a Color-Coded System
Proper labeling is one of the most important steps to an efficient move. Create a color-coded system for your boxes, with each color representing a room in your home. This allows movers to unload the boxes to the appropriate rooms, which also prevents you from having to re-move all the boxes throughout your home once they’re gone.
Additionally, you may want to assign a number system to the boxes; each number represents the level of priority. For example, cleaning supplies may be a no. 1 priority, as you’ll want to access them soon after your arrival whereas décor would be no. 3 priority. Doing so ensures the boxes filled with items you will need right away won’t be unloaded first, and place at the bottom of piles.
Inform Your Professional Movers of your System
Your boxes are properly labeled specific to your color-coded and numerical system. To ensure your professional movers know what each label means, you’ll need to provide them with a cheat sheet. Simply write down what each color and number means and provide it to your movers at the time of arrival.
Another excellent way to downsize is to avoid doing the work altogether. Instead, let the professionals do it for you. At BMS Moving & Storage, you can add packing services to your move, so you can sit back and enjoy the transition.
