Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or an older couple looking to downsize, you’re probably looking around your place and thinking, “How in the world did we acquire this much stuff?”
But not to worry, there is a well-thought-out solution for all your cherished belongings, treasured mementos, and even those items you might consider "junk." All it takes is a touch of preparation!
So, why not reach out to a trusted friend who can lend a hand on a transformational downsizing adventure. In this blog, we'll provide invaluable tips and tricks for tackling the challenges of decluttering, optimizing storage, and preparing for your upcoming move.
It's time to turn your move into an opportunity to reimagine your living space and make your next home the best yet!
Ditch Duplicates
Look around the house and garage, and find duplicate items you have. Do you really need two crockpots? Five hammers? Three large filing cabinets?
This is one of the easier downsizing tricks: getting rid of duplicates you’ve probably collected through the years. Decide which ones you really need, and then ditch or sell the rest.
Can Collectibles
Maybe you inherited a set of dishes from Aunt Martha that you just never did really like. Or you started collecting thimbles in your thirties, and they’re now just collecting dust on a rack somewhere. There’s no shame in admitting that these items don’t have a place in your new home.
First, see if your children want them for sentimental value. Then, maybe approach some close friends or relatives to see if they have any meaning to them. If not, put them in the “sell” or “donate” pile.
Limit Linens
Now’s the time to go through your linen closet and ruthlessly discard things you aren’t using anymore, such as:
- Double bed sheets and quilts when all you have is a king and queen-sized bed
- 15 beach towels (because who needs 15 beach towels?)
- Old tablecloths you’re not going to use anymore
- Extra pillows that are flat and/or stained
- Heavy old comforters you kept “just in case you need them"
Now that you’ve limited what’s in your linen closet, it's a great time to invest in clear plastic containers to store all your good stuff in. Not only will it look neat and clean in your new house, but it’s one less thing you’ve got to pack!
Cull Clothing
This is one of the most difficult things to do–deciding what clothes to keep and what to cull.
There are obvious discards, such as things with holes or paint on them. But then there are the items you’d wear if you could only lose 15 pounds. Or the items you want to keep in case you gain the 15 pounds back.
This is where having a friend help you really comes in handy. They are not emotionally attached to these items the way you are and can give you some candid feedback on what to keep and what to discard.
The good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn something in over a year, get rid of it. Easier said than done, but it’s a practical rule. If you can even do 75% of your closet this way, you’re doing really good.
Sell, Sell, Sell!
So you’ve culled, discarded, limited, canned, and ditched. So what to do with all this stuff you no longer need?
Well, you could try selling it. Facebook Marketplace is a great place to start, and it’s free. eBay is a good solution as well for some of your better discards. Give yourself a deadline, and what you don’t sell in a specific period of time, load it up in your car and take it to Goodwill.
If They Don’t Live There, Their Stuff Shouldn’t Live There
A lot of people still have many of their adult children’s things at their home. The bicycle you were only supposed to keep for them until they got their own apartment. Their high school prom dress or letter jacket. Their favorite rocks from their childhood. That coat they just had to have but never fit them right.
Package it all up lovingly, and then call and say the three words every child wants to hear from Mom and Dad: “Come. Get. It.”
If it happens to be things they no longer want to keep, let your children be the ones to wean through everything and take it to the Salvation Army or the local dumpster. Their clutter could represent a significant amount of stuff and take up a large amount of space at your existing location. It’s best to remove it before the move!
Purged and ready for a move?
It’s Time for a Stress-Free Move to Your Forever Home!
Don’t you feel lighter now? There’s nothing like a good purge to make you feel that you’re back in control of your storage, your clutter, and your “stuff.” Packing for a move should be much easier now that you’ve got your arms around all of the things you’ve decided to keep and what to sell or give away.
One thing’s for certain–all of this can’t be done in one day. Be realistic about how much you can get done in a certain time period so you don’t get frustrated. Just keep thinking about how much more smoothly you can pack and move now that your house is more in order.
Moving is always a little stressful. But with some prep work, a strong will, and a friend to help you, you can make this move into your new forever home as easy as possible.
Welcome To Your New Bayshore Manufactured Home!
We understand you’re eager to move your family into a new home. At Bayshore, we do everything possible to make this dream a reality.
We want to help you get the best possible home for you, and we invite you to take a tour of our beautiful manufactured homes! Call Bayshore at (888) 855-1818 to find a Bayshore community in the location you want today!
RHP Social community events are designed to encourage our residents to socialize with their fellow community members through fun, family-friendly BBQs, holiday parties, and more! If you’ve found a community that suits your needs, contact our team today and let’s get started on the application process.