Moving to a Smaller Apartment: Downsizing Tips

Table of Contents

• 1. How to Downsize Into a Smaller Apartment?
1. Take an Inventory of Your Belongings
2. Find Out the Size of Each Room in Your Apartment
3. Find Out How Much Storage Space You Have In Your New Home
4. Make a List of Your Most Needed and Favorite Things
5. Throw Away, Donate or Sell All the Things You Don’t Need
6. Plan Your Move in Advance
7. Properly Optimize the Space in Your New Apartment
• 2. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Often, people make the choice to downsize on their apartment due to a variety of external factors and causes. Some retire, and others switch jobs or move to a bigger city where they are unable to keep up with its rhythm. There’s an endless possibility of reasons, which is no wonder. Downsizing on your apartment could be highly beneficial, whether you look at it from a financial or minimalist lifestyle perspective.

Nevertheless, it could feel extremely stressful and uncomfortable to make that shift, especially if you are used to living in large places. The thought of having to move to a limited spacing may weigh heavily on you. While smaller possessions may not cause any issues, you probably have so many questions considering larger items: what do I do with the TV, gym equipment, precious piece of furniture, etc.?

At SEKA Moving, we think that moving to a small apartment can be just as great as living in a house – and in some cases, even better! You won’t have to sacrifice any perks of living in a larger house, if you follow a strategy, and know the tips and tricks. Whether you are making a big transfer from a house to an apartment, moving into college dorms, or simply downsizing with your move from one apartment to another, anything works better with a plan.

 

How to Downsize Into a Smaller Apartment?

SEKA Moving has prepared a set of necessary tips to guide you through your move and make sure you feel just as relaxed, settled, and abundant in a smaller apartment as you did in your old home. Once you know how to organize a downsizing move, you’ll be able to unravel through the stress of moving.

 

1. Take an Inventory of Your Belongings

Downsizing on an apartment most likely means you won’t be able to fit all of your furniture, items, and belongings in the new home. You could try, of course, but it would get too clustered, which is not a very welcoming setting!

It is therefore recommended to take an inventory of all your items. Since every room is different, analyze separate instructions while planning your relocation, such as how to pack the living room, the kitchen, or the bathroom. Study your largest belongings, such as wardrobes or any other furniture pieces which take up space, and think of where they are going to fit in the new place (hint: in some cases, you may later decide to get rid of them).

 

2. Find Out the Size of Each Room in Your Apartment

Knowing the extent to which your apartment is downsizing will give you a more accurate understanding of what is required of you to move. Measure, or ask someone to measure the size of each room in the new apartment. Compare the square footage of each room to the rooms in your old apartment. This will give you an opportunity to start planning the arrangement of your new rooms.

 

3. Find Out How Much Storage Space You Have In Your New Home

Storage space is not only necessary when you are moving, but equally as valid for the time you settle in a permanent home, as well as throughout your residence. If you have valuable items, storage spaces are an absolute requirement to keep them safe.

Incorporating storage spaces can also make the moving process less stressful and more systematized. If your new apartment has multiple rooms or walk-in closets, you can arrange one room or closet into a storage space, depending on the size of the storage that you consider having.

 

4. Make a List of Your Most Needed and Favorite Things

Write a checklist of the items and belongings you prioritize most, or spend the longest amounts of time using. Doing that can help you evaluate the importance of each item and see what is definitely worth moving into your new home.

Of course, it’s smart to think of essentials required for daily life first, such as a microwave or bedding set. Still, do not forget to include items of sentimental value as well. This includes expensive jewelry or a picture frame gift.

 

5. Throw Away, Donate or Sell All the Things You Don’t Need

Now, think of the other half of this list that didn’t make the cut! If some items are in poor condition and can’t be repaired or brought back to their initial state, it’s best to throw them away. Otherwise, donating or selling would be your most optimal solution.

This list can also include duplicate items which you have an abundance of, such as a set of identical pillows or kitchen utensils. Lastly, de-clutter the closets and wardrobes, as in many cases, they store plenty of excessive items that have gone a long time without use.

 

6. Plan Your Move in Advance

Whenever you are about to make a big shift in your life, it is never a bad idea to start with a plan a few weeks prior. You can always readjust the details of that plan later. However, for the start, when too many things overwhelm you at once, having an outline to follow could be practical. This can include hiring residential movers, sketching a map of the new house, renting a storage space, or weighing your items.

 

7. Properly Optimize the Space in Your New Apartment

Your new apartment has limited space in comparison to the old one, so use it wisely. With the right arrangement, smaller apartments could look no less aesthetically pleasing than large house interiors. Well-decorated small apartments also tend to have a cozy, domestic atmosphere.

Prior to leaving them empty just in case, actually use up all the shelves and walk-in closets. Place smaller items into closets wardrobes, so that you and your family or guests have plenty of space to move around comfortably, and you have leftover space to set up large furniture pieces, such as a bed or gym equipment.

Always remember to make your amenity and convenience a priority, and decorate the place in a way that would make you happy to come home after an exhausting day.

We wish you the best of luck in making your new apartment a comfortable den that works for you individually!

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When Should You Downsize to a Smaller House?

Everyone makes the decision to downsize for different reasons: college move, immigration, retirement, and so on. We would sum the reasons up in one common factor: the larger apartment or house you live in no longer feels convenient to the changes in your lifestyle, compared to the benefits which smaller apartments provide. For example, it is recommended to downsize to a smaller apartment when you feel that you are no longer able to keep up with the finances, or have too many responsibilities.

 

How Do You Prepare for a Downsize Move?

The best way to prepare for moving to a smaller apartment is to come up with a downsizing plan. Begin as soon as a few weeks prior to the move, as this is a thorough, extensive step in your life that will need responsible assessment and planning. Evaluate which items are necessary, valuable, and/or sentimental for life in your home-to-be, and which you can easily imagine life without.

 

Why Is Living in a Small Apartment Better?

Surprisingly, living in a small apartment has myriads of advantages that wouldn’t cross your mind immediately. Obviously, a smaller apartment will cost you less and overall be more affordable than a larger apartment or a house. In a smaller apartment, less maintenance is required to keep it tidy, and less responsibilities are required. Many people consider downsizing a financially smart and time-efficient move.