How to downsize

If your property is too big for your needs, you may be looking to downsize. Downsizing can be a good idea, with less upkeep and lower bills two of the biggest benefits of moving to a smaller home. If you’re not sure how to downsize, read on. At Darvills of Leeds, we’ve created a short guide to help make downsizing a much less stressful process.

Tips for downsizing your home

Downsizing has become increasingly popular, with more and more people giving up their sizeable homes in favour of smaller properties. Not only can downsizing your living quarters allow you to save time on maintenance and money on bills, but it may also allow you to buy a house in a nicer location. Keep reading to find out how to downsize so the process is easy and stress-free from beginning to end.

Make decluttering a priority

Decluttering is an important task when downsizing your home. So, rather than leaving it until the last minute and running out of time, it makes sense to begin a few months in advance. Don’t feel as if you need to rush the task either. Many people choose to throw out a single item every day rather than getting rid of everything all at once. This can make decluttering a far less overwhelming chore.

Work on one room at a time 

To make decluttering your property less challenging, try to focus on a single room at a time. Rather than rushing from room to room hurriedly throwing away your belongings, choose one room and focus on that. By splitting this huge task up into smaller projects, it becomes a lot more manageable. Many people choose to start with a bedroom, often removing furniture that won’t fit in their new home. Getting rid of larger items first can make the process feel less daunting.

Get your tape measure out

When moving to a smaller property, you’ll need to measure the size of rooms using a tape measure. Record the measurements carefully whilst also checking the floorplan provided by the agent in charge of the property. You can then start planning where you will put your furniture in your new home, making sure it fits perfectly. If it doesn’t, you’ll have time to get rid of it or replace it if necessary. Working out where things will go at this stage can make moving day a lot easier. 

Digitise paperwork

Documents such as tax returns and bills can take up space, with hefty filing cabinets often required for storing them. Since you’ll be moving to a smaller property, it makes sense to reduce the amount of paperwork in your possession. You’ll probably find that you don’t need much of it, and many documents can be shredded and then disposed of. For those you do need to keep, consider digitising them. You can do this by scanning them onto your computer and saving them on a hard drive. The amount of space this can save you in your new property can be significant. Media such as CDs and DVDs can also be digitised in many cases, saving you further space in your new house.

Consider multifunctional furniture 

Since you’ll have less space now you’ve downsized your home, you’ll need to consider your furniture choices carefully. Some people opt for multifunctional furniture such as a futon or daybed that can be used both as a couch day to day and a place to sleep when guests come to visit. You could also choose a dining table that folds down completely when not in use or a coffee table that raises up to become a computer desk. 

Homes have gradually become smaller over the years and this has led to multifunctional furniture becoming much more sought after.

Hire a reputable removals company 

Now you know how to downsize, you may be ready to hire a removals company to help you move into your new place. If you’re seeking the best removals companies in Leeds and Wakefield, look no further than Darvills of Leeds. We’ve helped many home and business owners to downsize over the years, providing a professional and reliable service that our customers can depend on. Downsizing your property can certainly be challenging, but the process becomes a lot simpler when you hire the services of a reputable removals company. 

Do you need storage solutions? 

Even if you consider yourself pretty good at decluttering, you may still require storage services when downsizing your property. This is because even though you might not have room for certain items in your new home, you may not be prepared to get rid of them for good. Perhaps you have possessions that you don’t use very much but that hold special memories. Or maybe you have furniture that you really love but aren’t yet sure how to integrate it into your new home. 

Using storage services gives you time to consider your options rather than simply throwing out items you’d rather keep. Fortunately, Darvills of Leeds offers affordable storage solutions in your area, with a range of secure units that are monitored 24/7 by CCTV. You can rest assured that your belongings will be safe as houses when you leave them in our storage units. 

Contact us 

Whether you need home removals in Leeds or Wakefield, we’re on hand to assist you every step of the day. Call us on 0113 436 0318 to discuss your needs with one of our experienced removals specialists. If you prefer, you can also send us a message via the website and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. We can answer all your questions and provide you with a no-obligation quotation for our removals services.