Downsizing efficiently when relocating from a house can be a smooth process with some careful planning and smart strategies.
Moving to a smaller space isn’t just about squeezing your stuff into fewer square feet. It’s about reimagining your lifestyle with upgrades worth it and creating a home that’s efficient, comfortable, and uniquely you. It may be an arduous and laborious process and will be a bit daunting at first. However, the end result is often a more organized and peaceful living space.
Let’s kick things off with a game plan that’ll have you feeling like a downsizing pro in no time.
1. Take Stock of Your Stuff
First things first, we need to know what we’re working with. I always tell my clients, “You can’t pack what you don’t know you have. It’s important to take inventory of your belongings to ensure you have everything you need. I remember helping a couple move from their four-bedroom house to a chic downtown apartment.
They were overwhelmed until we started listing things out. The husband turned to me and said, ‘I had no idea we owned three blenders!’ Two of those didn’t make the cut.” says a spokesperson at FindAMover Melbourne removalists.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get inventorying.
Start by going room by room, making a list of everything you own. And I mean everything – from that fancy China set you got for your wedding to the mismatched socks hiding in the back of your drawer.
Pro tip: Use your phone to snap pictures as you go. It’ll make remembering what you have easier and deciding what to keep later on.
2. Discover Your Inner Minimalist
Now, I’m not saying you need to go to the extreme and shrink what you own into a shoebox, but adopting a minimalist mindset can work wonders when you’re downsizing. Think of it as curating your life with downsizing ideas – keeping only the things that truly matter or bring you joy.
These downsizing ideas can help you focus on the essentials, stripping away the excess to reveal a more organized and harmonious living space.
I once worked with a client who was a self-proclaimed packrat. She dreaded the move until I introduced her to the “one-year rule.” If she hadn’t used something in the past year, it was time to let it go. By the end of our decluttering session, she was beaming. “I feel like I can breathe again,” she told me.
Remember, you’re not just moving your stuff but your life. So ask yourself, “Does this item fit into the life I want in my new space?”
3. Size Up Your New Apartment
Here’s where things get real. You need to know exactly what you’re working on within your new place. And I’m not talking about a vague “it’s smaller” kind of knowing. I mean down-to-the-inch measurements of every room, closet, and quirky corner.
I can’t tell you how often I’ve seen people try to squeeze a king-size bed into a room that barely fits a full. Save yourself the headache (and backache) and measure everything before you move.
Adelaide Movers says, “One of our clients, a meticulous architect, took sizing his apartment to the next level. He created a to-scale 3D model of his new apartment and used it to plan where every piece of furniture would go. Extreme? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. Our movers loved it. It was a quick in and out job for us, saving the customer money when going by the hour.”
4. Multi-Tasking Furniture is Your New Best Friend
When space is at a premium, every piece of furniture must pull its weight. I’m talking about ottomans with hidden storage, Murphy beds that fold into the wall, and dining tables that expand for guests.
“Our team helped a young couple move into their first apartment, and they were stressed about fitting all their stuff. We found a coffee table with built-in storage and a pull-out section that turns it into a work desk. The wife joked, “It’s like furniture Tetris!” And she was right – it’s all about finding pieces that fit together perfectly and serve multiple purposes.” – Auckland House Movers
5. Say Goodbye to the Big Stuff
This can be the toughest part for many people. That oversized sectional might have been perfect for movie nights in your old living room but in your new place? It might as well be a whale in a kiddie pool.
“We always advise my clients to start selling or donating large items early in the moving process. It frees up space and can put some extra cash in your pocket for new, more appropriate furniture.
One of our clients, a retiree downsizing from his family home, was particularly fond of restoring classic cars in his big shed out the back. However, he didn’t have the time to work on restoring the Nissan Datsun 280Z he had stored out in the back.
So, when he downsized into a smaller space with an underground car park, he sold it and got a car transporter to ship it to the buyer. He made very good money for it while freeing up space.” – Australian Car Transporters
6. Go Digital with Your Memories
There’s no need to lug around boxes of old photos and documents in this digital age. Scanning these items not only saves space but also protects them from damage.
We recommend that all our clients move with us if they have many documents or photos, things that can be digitized to eliminate space on the truck. The best thing to do is to save space by digitizing it. A history professor who had an entire room dedicated to his research papers would have cost thousands of dollars to box and transport.
He took our advice and spent a weekend digitizing everything, and by the end, he had his entire library on a single hard drive. He loved the idea that he was able to do a quick search to find what he was looking for.” – Canberra Moving Services
7. Conquer the Kitchen Clutter
Kitchens are often the biggest culprits when it comes to unnecessary stuff. How many spatulas do you really need?
You need to start with the kitchen early in the packing process. It’s amazing how much stuff has accumulated over the years. More often, unused appliances can also be sold for top dollar.
“Kitchen fridges are one of the items that get moved a lot, but many people overlook the lack of the size of the fridge cavity in apartments, leading them to sell the fridge and get a smaller one. Knowing the cavity size in the first place will save you the hassle and money in moving your fridge in the first place.” – Hobart Removalists
8. Think Vertical
When floor space is limited, it’s time to look up. Vertical storage solutions can be a real lifesaver in small apartments.
“We once saw a young artist move into a tiny studio apartment with all her canvas paintings and thought there is no way you’ll be able to fit this in an apartment. She transformed one wall into a floor-to-ceiling storage and display unit.
Shelves, hooks, and a pegboard turned what could have been a cluttered mess into an organized and inspiring workspace. That gave us an insight even for professionals like us who think about storage and stacking in the moving truck every day.” – Perth Movers
9. Pack a “First Night” Box
Moving day can be chaotic, and the last thing you want is digging through boxes looking for your toothbrush at midnight.
Pack a box with all the essentials you will need for the first night in your new place. Think about toiletries, a change of clothes, basic kitchen supplies, and important documents. The things that will keep you comfortable for the first day while you find your bearings and unpack.
10. Be Realistic About Storage
It’s tempting to think you can squeeze everything into your new apartment if you just find the right storage solutions. But sometimes, you need to face facts – not everything will fit. It just doesn’t make sense to fit belongings from a 1500 square foot home down to a 700 square foot home. It’s like jamming a 3-seater couch into the trunk of your car.
If you are someone who is determined to keep everything from your house as you move into an apartment. The best idea is to look for temporary storage solutions, like renting a small storage unit for seasonal items and things you aren’t yet ready to part with and don’t need daily. It’ll at least buy you time to re-evaluate if you need them.
Remember, moving to a smaller space isn’t about cramming your old life into new dimensions. It’s about creating a new lifestyle that’s more streamlined, more intentional, and often more enjoyable.
Conclusion
As we wrap up, I want you to remember that downsizing isn’t just about what you’re giving up – it’s about the home upgrade you’re gaining in lifestyle quality. A smaller space can mean less cleaning time, lower utility bills, and more freedom to focus on what matters to you. This is a strategi home upgrade that simplifies your life.
I’ve seen countless people go through this process, and while it can be challenging, the end result is often a sense of liberation. The stories I hear are along the theme, “I thought I was just moving to a smaller apartment, but I ended up creating a bigger life.”
So, as you embark on this journey, take a deep breath and remember less is more and quality over quantity when downsizing to a smaller apartment.
