Guest Blog Post by Shawn Stevenson

The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of Michael Helwig Interiors or its Principal, Michael Helwig. Michael Helwig Interiors, and Michael Helwig, do not have any affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their author bios.

So you’re planning to downsize, move out, and set up a new life somewhere else? It’s a major decision and one that needs a bit of preparation.

If you’re moving out of Louisville, you’re not the only one.

While there might be many reasons for this move, the region itself has a few undeniable downsides.

Its western part has a significantly high crime rate, with areas such as Shawnee and Jacobs being among the most dangerous.

These neighborhoods have a total crime risk of 1 in 7 people. This means that for every seven people, 1 of them can be a victim of some crime.

Moreover, many people may choose to move out of Louisville due to the shortage of walkable space, high transportation costs, and other issues.

At the end of the day, despite the living costs in Louisville being 4% lower than the national average, safety should be a top priority for yourself and your family.

Perhaps a smaller place is all you can afford after moving out of your Louisville home.

Some people even choose to downsize after their children grow up and move out.

The reasons for downsizing may vary. However, there’s no denying that it takes time to adapt to a smaller space.

So how does one happily downsize and adjust to their new, more compact life? Before calling the best Louisville long distance movers and finally moving out, have a look at how you can achieve this goal:

1. Know Your Priorities

You've probably collected a lot of belongings over the years. Now, it’s time to get rid of a major chunk of items. The main question is: what stays and what goes?

Certain objects may already be a necessity in your current lifestyle. These will probably be the ones to keep. Some examples may include:

• Your laptop

• Books that you get joy from, such as childhood favorites or collector’s editions

• Daily clothing

• Study materials if you’re currently pursuing a related degree

On the other hand, there are items that you’ve unnecessarily held onto for a long time. This might be the point to finally let them go. Some of them may be:

• Books that are always left on the TBR (to be read) pile

• Clothing that you’ve grown out of

• Exercise machines that serve as drying stands

A large part of prioritizing consists of being honest with yourself.

How long have you gone without these items, and how much do you need them?

Smaller homes won’t have the space for everything you bring. Embrace the fresh start, and move with as few items as possible.

2. Consider External Storage

If you have items you don’t want to part with, consider the option of external personal storage.

Since you’re moving to a smaller place, the storage there will probably not hold these items.

You will have to pay a price for the storage option, so play it smart.

Give yourself a timeline, say six months, for storing your excess belongings.

At the end of that period, visit the storage facility and start getting rid of the items.

Since they’ve been out of sight for so long, you may realize they’re not indispensable after all.

Start letting them go now: consider donations, giving them away, or selling on various platforms.

Of course, you might find that there’s space in your new compact home for that family heirloom, after all!

3. Measure Everything

When moving to a home with a smaller floor plan, make your measuring tape your best friend. Have it with you at all times; you’ll need it.

For one, you have to measure the pieces that are going to the new home.

Then, measure the spaces that are going to hold that furniture.

Finally, keep in mind that it’s not about whether the pieces will fit but whether they will be useful in that area or not.

Even if your humongous old couch can just about fit into your new living room, it might be time to downsize and get a simple two-seater. Pair it with some accent chairs and a settee, and you’ll have a beautiful sitting area.

It might be useful to look up some small modern living room ideas before changing anything.

While you’re measuring, do remember where the windows and doors are. This will be an important point when you’re figuring out future furniture layouts.

4. Get Familiar with Storage Options

A small space means that you need storage. If there’s a sizable budget in place, consider some built-in storage solutions to hold all the required items. There will be different options for the kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom, and other areas.

While you’re measuring the new home’s floor plan, make sure to assess the storage available there as well.

If there are fewer kitchen cabinets than at your old home, how will you manage that room? Your cooking process might have to change as well, so stay mentally prepared.

Try to get more storage out of the furniture you plan to have.

For instance, you may swap the coffee table for a large ottoman. This ottoman can serve as a table to put your snacks on, a footrest, a seat, and more. It can also open up to reveal a clever storage space for blankets, extra cushions, and so on.

For more storage that won’t take up too much space, install some floating shelves for your book collection and various knick-knacks.

Short boxes will also come in handy; you can simply slide them under the bed or a table.

5. Sell, Donate, Save

It can be very difficult to do away with familiar furniture pieces. The same goes for other possessions, such as your child’s old toys or school materials. However, there isn’t much choice here.

Extra stuff will only clutter your new home very quickly, leading to an uncomfortable lifestyle.

This is the time to make the most of your new home, not stifle its potential.

Emotionally prepare yourself for the wrench, and then start posting items to sell online. You can try eBay or Facebook Marketplace or circulate pictures in your social groups. The money you earn from the sales can go towards purchasing new multifunctional furniture pieces for your small home.

Such steps will help you move forward mentally and emotionally. You’ll be looking at the future and considering what will be useful in this next chapter of your life. That’s much better than dwelling in the past!

Conclusion

The downsizing tips above will hopefully help you settle into a smaller space.

Decluttering, proper organizing, and having a routine will all contribute to a better experience after moving.

See what tips seem relevant to your lifestyle and follow them for a practical, emotionally healthy transition.

Read Next:

Join the Fun!

If you enjoyed this post and you want to keep seeing my weekly blog, the best way to do that is to subscribe.

You can subscribe by downloading my 11 Secrets Only Designers Know to Make Your Space Rock. If you’re curious about how decorators and designers make a home look magazine ready, you’ll love taking a gander at these 11 secrets. You’ll learn how to style your room from the floor up and it will work for ANY space you have.

I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

I’d love to connect with you!

Shawn Stevenson is a fitness freak, and he has a lot of interests in the field of dieting and exercising. He is a passionate and creative blogger who loves to write on lifestyle, fitness and home decor. His writings are focused on prevailing topics and his long-term vision is to empower youth in making their decisions.