Whether it’s because of retirement, kids leaving home, a drop in income or another reason, it can make financial sense to find a smaller place to live.

Living in a smaller home forces you to decide what matters to you and your family. A lot of work goes into downsizing, including determining which clothes, furniture, and decor are going with you and what is being donated or sold. 

It’s surprising how quickly things can accumulate and make a smaller living space feel even smaller. Be vigilant about what you take and what you leave behind.

Here are 14 tips to help make downsizing easier.

1. Declutter 90 Days Before The Move
   Plan ahead and start decluttering at least 90 days before your moving date. Aim to finish the last month or two weeks in your old home. Tackling the downsize makes it much more manageable and less stressful. 
2. Start With Furniture
   If you are moving from a four bedroom into a two bedroom, you won’t need all the beds, couches, and side tables in your new place. You don’t want to pay for the hauling or the storage of items you won’t be using.  Next, consider the size of your living room and dining room furniture.
3. Measure Furniture
   Take a look at your new home layout and plan ahead to see what will fit and what it can potentially look like. 
4. Six Month Rule
   If you haven’t used something in six months, it might be a good item to donate or sell.
5. What You Need vs. Things You Do
   If your treadmill has become a clothing rack, get rid of it. Maybe apartments and condo complexes have gyms.
6. Digitize Paper
   If you have a giant filing cabinet for your real estate files, banking, taxes and other old paperwork, scan the most important documents, then shred and recycle the rest.
7. Organize Piles
   Make clear, organized piles while you are sorting through your home. Stick to yes or no, and avoid ‘maybes.’
8. Specialty Items
   If you have specialty items like instruments, consider bringing them to a place that sells them or a place that teaches people. The impact of saying goodbye to something is more manageable when it’s going somewhere they will be valued.
9. Maximize Vertical Space
   When you move into a smaller space, you’ll find creative ways to maximize space. Taller shelving and bureaus will help your home stay less cluttered. 
10. Seasonal Cleaning
    Each season, take time to clean up living spaces and go through fashion and home decor. 
11. Books and Magazines
    Consider downsizing your book collection if you will not have the space to store them. 
12. Host a Packing Party
    Label everything in boxes and spend three weeks only unpacking things you need -The Minimalists found that 80% of belongings remained in the boxes. 
13. Stop Acquiring
    If you need to buy something new, get rid of one thing. If you want to challenge yourself, you can get rid of 10 things for one new item.
    
14. Pick Your Favourites
    If you have collectables, pick only your favourites. Gift the ones you aren't bringing or sell them online. Let go of any ‘guilt gifts’ - the things you’re holding onto because you think you have to.