It is no secret that homeownership can be a significant financial commitment. Not only do you have to worry about the mortgage, but you also have to worry about property taxes, homeowners insurance, and all the other associated costs of owning a home. One way to help offset some of those costs is to downsize. Selling your current home and buying a smaller one can save you a lot of money in the long run. However, you may find some belongings you’re not ready to throw out but don’t have space at home. The good news is that there are solutions available. Read on if you want to know what to do with your belongings when downsizing.
What should you do with your belongings when you’re downsizing?
If you’re downsizing, renting a storage unit for belongings you can’t fit in your home is a good idea. This can include furniture, holiday decorations, and even clothing. There are mini storage units if you only have a few items to store and larger units as big as a two-car garage. Before making a reservation, you can ask the storage facility about their available storage options. Measure your items before you decide which unit to reserve. You don’t want to spend more money than you have on an oversized unit or find that you can’t fit everything inside your unit because it isn’t large enough.
When storing your belongings, remember to stay organized and label everything. This will make it easier for you to find what you need when you need it, and it will also help minimize the amount of time required to unpack if you ever decide to move your belongings back into your home. You can use different colours of stickers or markers to indicate which room the item belongs in, write brief descriptions of what each box contains, or use some other type of organizational system.
You can dispose of any items you are ready to part with in several ways. You can hold a garage sale, sell them online, or donate them. When selling your stuff, you can either handle sales yourself or bring them to some consignment shop, though when you choose the latter, the store will often take a percentage of the sale. You can also take them to a donation centre or mail them to an online service. When you donate anything to a charity, package it carefully to remain clean and in good condition.
How else can you keep your home organized?
It’s essential for homeowners to deep clean at least once every few months to keep their homes looking and functioning their best. A deep clean involves tackling the areas of your home that you don’t usually clean regularly. This can include the floors, the walls, the ceilings, the windows, the furniture, and the appliances. Deep cleaning your home can be a lot of work, but it’s worth it. Your home will look and smell better, and you’ll also be able to get rid of any built-up dirt or dust that may be causing allergy attacks.
Additionally, you can try to create more storage space in your home. You can add cabinets and shelves or buy furniture with hidden storage compartments. Remember that you shouldn’t store some items at home if you can’t provide a climate-controlled environment. For example, delicate fabrics can be ruined if stored in a damp and humid place. Leather can also be damaged by humidity and extreme temperature changes. You may consider using a storage unit if you cannot store your items in a climate-controlled environment.
Downsizing is a great way to declutter your home and make more space, but knowing what to do with belongings you don’t want anymore can be difficult. Fortunately, you have several options to choose from. If you’re not ready to throw the items away, rent a storage unit. If you do want to dispose of them, selling them or arranging to donate them are the most accessible choices. Keep your space clean and organized even after you finish the downsizing process. You’ll always have a more functional home environment when you keep your house neat.