Moving house is, for many people, a bit of a logistical nightmare. There are so many different things that you’ll need to think about, from finding a new home to changing addresses with your bank, that it can quickly become more than just a little overwhelming.
Many of these stresses can become intensified in situations where you’re moving into a smaller home. We decided to share some of our top tips with you on how to do this as efficiently as possible, from assessing your new storage spaces to leaving enough time.
Assess Your New Home
The first thing to do is properly assess your new home to see how much storage capacity it has.
Be honest with yourself about the situation – even if your belongings might technically fit, you really don’t want to end up cramming everything in and having a cramped home.
You can consider additional smart storage solutions, like beds with storage underneath, but ultimately, you’ll likely have to clear out some of your belongings.
Declutter
There are plenty of different techniques to help you declutter, and you’ll just need to find one that works for you.
Marie Kondo’s famous method of asking whether an item sparks joy is a very popular one, but others, such as thinking about whether you’ve used the item in the past year, can be equally effective.
Go room by room, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. It can also help to have a friend with you, to help you be a bit more ruthless in your approach.
Use a Storage Solution
In some cases, it can be helpful to use a storage solution from a company like Bright Movers during the actual move.
You can then slowly move the items into your new place, checking what does and doesn’t fit. It’s a lot less overwhelming than just bringing everything in at once, and will likely be a lot more efficient.
Start Early
Clearing through your belongings and getting rid of stuff can be surprisingly emotionally taxing, and if you want to do it properly, you need to leave enough time.
It’s often the case that when you have to do this kind of thing without enough time, you end up cutting corners. You’re more likely to get rid of things you actually need, and also more likely to end up keeping things you definitely don’t.
Start this whole process off potentially even months before your actual move – the more stuff you need to get rid of, the longer you’ll need to leave. Make a plan with a detailed schedule, and don’t let yourself get put off track.
Adopting an efficient, effective moving strategy can make the whole thing so much less stressful. Where there are additional logistical concerns, such as when you’re also downsizing, these strategies become extra important.
Make sure that you don’t underestimate how much time and emotional effort it can take to throw things away and declutter – prepare yourself accordingly, and you should be fine.
Please Note: I always strive to provide accurate and helpful information, but just a quick heads-up—I’m a blogger, not a doctor, lawyer, CPA, or any other kind of certified professional. I’m here to share my experiences and insights, but please make sure to use your own judgment and consult the right professionals when needed.
Also, I accept monetary compensation through affiliate links, advertising, guest posts, and sponsored partnerships on this site, however I am very particular about the products I endorse and only do so when I am truly a fan of the quality and result of the product.
