Preparing To Move To A Smaller Home: Four Things To Consider

When downsizing your home, there are a few things you'll need to consider as you plan your move. With the help of your residential movers, you can make the process go smoothly and ensure all your belongings fit neatly in your new home. Use this guide to help you strategize your local move to a smaller home.

Arrange For Storage

You may need to rent a storage space to store items you don't use all year long. Be sure to arrange for a self storage unit rental before you move, and take an inventory of the items that will be placed in the unit. This will give you the right amount of storage space you need before you start moving. Ask your moving company about any storage services it offers, as you may be able to get a discount on your move or your storage unit if you book both at the same time.

Take Measurements

Measure your furniture and create a map of your new home. Use the map to plan where your furniture will go, and look for any issues you might have with fitting your existing furniture in the home. You may decide that you need to downsize your furniture to fit into your smaller home. If the new home has narrow hallways or doorways, discuss this with the moving company so you can plan how to get all of your furnishings in the rooms they belong in.

Pack For Storage And Your Move

If you will be placing items into storage, you'll want to take this into account as you pack. Have color-coded labels ready for your boxes that indicate which boxes will go into storage and which will go to your new home. If possible, stage all of the storage boxes in one room. This will make it easier for the movers to identify where the boxes will go, and will reduce the chances of your boxes getting sent to the wrong place. In addition to the color-coded labels, mark each box with its contents. This will help with unpacking in your new home and with finding items you need in your storage unit.

Create A Donation Section

You may find that you have a lot of items you want to get rid of before you move. Box the smaller items up and label them for charity, and use stickers to label furniture you no longer want. Work with your local movers to have these items taken to a local donation center as part of your moving package. This will ensure that all the items in your home are removed, and it will also help you to do something good for those in need. Keep a record of all the items you donate, as you may be able to take tax deductions for the donations.

Your local movers can help you find other ways to make your move to a smaller home go smoothly. Ask about any tips your movers can offer, and make a plan in advance to ensure all your items get to where they need to go.