Packing up the home you raised your family in and hosted your Annual Super Bowl Party can be sad and exciting at the same time. Whether you’re moving into a 3 bedroom townhome or a studio apartment, making the switch to renting can really shake things up if you let it. Here are a few tips to take into consideration to make the transition go as smoothly as possible:
- Once you’ve officially made the decision to move, start thinking about downsizing! It provides you with the perfect excuse to go through absolutely everything in your home.
- Start small! Going through one room at a time can keep you from being overwhelmed.
- Take the layout of your new apartment into account. Think about how you can arrange the furniture you already have. This will really help you decide which pieces of furniture you want to take with you.
- Pick items that are dual purpose. Downsizing means you can’t keep everything. Be sure to hang onto the pieces that do double duty. For instance, a wine rack can also be used as a towel rack.
- When going through clothing, use the 80/20 rule. Did you know it’s estimated that people wear 20% of their wardrobe, 80% of the time? In other words, most people wear the same small section of clothing in their closets over and over, rarely choosing the rest of their clothes. So now the time to decide whether you really want to save that vintage orange dress or if you’ll really fit into those jeans again.
Once you start going through your home, choosing what to keep and what to toss or donate will get easier. By the time you are ready for your new space, you’ll be organized and ready for a fresh start.
