Don’t Make These Mistakes When Downsizing into a New Space

Whether it’s time for you to downsize or you’re looking into downsizing options for an aging loved one, going about this process the right way takes planning and preparation. Knowing when it’s the ideal time to downsize can be challenging, and there can be a lot of emotion that goes into it. Leaving your family home, and all the memories made there, can be difficult, but knowing that you’ll be able to make new memories in a space that’s more manageable makes the process easier. When it comes to downsizing, what works for one person may not work for you, which means that you need to decide what you ultimately want to get out of this whole experience. There are many ways to go about this process, and also a few mistakes that tend to happen often.

Don’t make these mistakes when downsizing into a new space…

Mistake #1: Downsizing Because ‘Everyone Else is Doing It’

Just because your neighbors have decided to put the family home up for sale, it doesn’t mean that you should feel forced to do the same. Downsizing happens at different times for everyone, and each family situation is unique. Maybe the loss of a loved one has prompted the family to put the home on the market, or maybe it’s getting more difficult for a parent to navigate their home. Remember, you need to do what’s best for you, and if you’re not quite ready to downsize just yet, you don’t have to. It is advised to begin thinking about the prospect of downsizing when the family home gets to be a bit too much for you or a loved one to take care of, and opting for a space that is better able to provide a safe and comfortable environment may be the right move.

Mistake #2: Not Decluttering Before You Downsize

Downsizing means moving into a smaller, more manageable space. You may not have the need for all the rooms in the family home any longer, but this also means that it’s a good idea to get rid of some of your belongings prior to making the move. You’ll want to go through your items or the items of your parent or loved one before downsizing into a smaller space because you don’t want this new space to feel cluttered by excess stuff. Tackle each room and decide what will move with you, what will be donated or sold, and what will be tossed, so that you’re able to move with ease.

Mistake #3: Viewing Downsizing in a Negative Light

Some people believe that downsizing is more of a loss, rather than a gain, which couldn’t be further from the truth! Although you may be moving into a smaller home, there are many benefits of downsizing, including:

·         Saving money

·         Less clutter

·         Fewer chores

·         More freedom to take up a hobby or travel, etc.

When downsizing is in your future or that of an aging parent, it’s important to remain positive and find all the perks that go along with this great choice. Deciding to move into a space that’s more tailored to your needs is an important step, one that should be celebrated by making memories in this space that will last a lifetime.