Downsizing is a popular trend right now for a lot of reasons. Moving into a smaller home can save you a lot of money on your mortgage and utility bills. It’s also much better for the environment because you use less energy. Downsizing can help you live a simpler lifestyle and get rid of clutter too.
Unfortunately, a lot of people make mistakes when it comes time to move into their new, smaller home and the whole thing ends up being a disaster. If you are planning to downsize your home, make sure to avoid these mistakes.
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Underestimating How Much Space You Need
This is the most common mistake people make when downsizing. They think they can get away with living in an apartment or condo that’s half of their current home’s size. Unfortunately, this almost always ends up being way too small, and you end up miserable. The whole point is to use less space but there are limits. You need to be realistic about how much space you actually need, especially if you have a family.
Not Thinking About The Long-Term
Even though a smaller home might be the right choice now, what about in 5 years? Or 10 years? A smaller home might be fine for your lifestyle right now, but what if you are planning on starting a family in the near future? Maybe you have elderly parents that may need to live with you at some point. It’s important that you consider these things now because, if you don’t, you could end up having to move again in a few years and that will increase the chances of losing money on the house.
Not Decluttering Before The Move
You can’t just pack up everything you own into boxes and then try to fit it all into your new, smaller home. If you do this, you’ll end up with clutter everywhere which will make your life even more difficult. Before the move, go through your belongings one last time and donate or sell anything that is unnecessary or doesn’t bring you joy. You might be surprised at how much lighter you feel once you do this and, as a result, you will enjoy your new surroundings even more.
Not Hiring Movers
If you are planning on downsizing your home, especially if it is a larger home, this can be time-consuming and exhausting. Make the job easier for yourself by hiring professionals like Allied Van Lines to do the moving for you. People often think that they don’t need movers because they’ve decluttered and they’re downsizing. But you’ll be surprised how much stuff you still have, so call in some help.
Not Planning The Space
Space is at a premium in a smaller home so, before you move, you need to plan the decor and the furniture arrangements. Think about how you will organize the space to make the most of it, so it feels larger than it is.
If you can avoid these big mistakes, you will enjoy your new life in a downsized home!