Downsizing & Decluttering Your Home Made Easy

Retiring means big changes are ahead for your life. Soon, your days will no longer be governed by an alarm clock, but there will still be so much to look forward to and so much to do!

In the meantime, there are some practicalities to get out of the way. For many people, official retirement doesn’t begin until they’ve also downsized their home. Typically, this means selling the family house in favour of something smaller, more convenient, or in a brand-new location where you can make a fresh start.

This, in turn, begins with decluttering, which might make you feel overwhelmed before you even begin. The larger your existing home and the longer you’ve lived there, the more daunting this project can be. In this post, we’ll provide some practical tips to help you simplify and organize your life. Once that’s out of the way, the rest of the process will seem easy by comparison.

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1. Give Yourself More Time Than You Think You Need

Whenever we are faced with a monumental, giant project, the first temptation is to put it off. Another day will come; just close the door and deal with it later. Or stuff everything into an unused bedroom or in boxes in a crawl space in the basement.

It is human nature to want to put this decluttering task off, and almost everyone does it. Many of the belongings we’ve accumulated over the years represent a cherished memory, and the thought of getting rid of them entirely is highly emotional.

Nevertheless, if you want a clean start in a new home, you will need to do a thorough decluttering at some point. For the best results and a more seamless, stress-free experience, start decluttering as early as you can. How much time should you leave yourself? Think of your best estimate of how long you think it will take. Now double it, at least.

You can begin by asking around to see if friends or family members can use those large pieces of furniture that you already know you will not be taking. When you find a good home for those items, you’ll feel much better about letting them go. Being proactive also gives you the best chance at selling anything that has financial value.

Are you counting on stellar results from your home sale to fund your retirement? The posts below are full of insightful tips:

2. Get Organized

A big part of decluttering is taking one step at a time so you don’t ever feel bogged down or overcome with inertia. Being organized ahead of time will help, and simply collecting boxes that you can label “keep”, “donate”, and “discard” is a positive step. (Pro-tip: Labels are your new best friend. Never assume you will remember what is in each box. Label everything. You will thank yourself later.)

Next, it’s time to lay some ground rules you’ll abide by. There will be some things that you’ll want to keep forever, but we want to limit those to a very precious few.

For everything else, the “five-year rule” can be a handy tool.

Basically, if you haven’t used an item for five years or more, dispose of it. This is especially true when it comes to things like clothing and accessories. If there are still things taped up in boxes that you haven’t opened since your last move, those are the first to go.

Are you still wondering about your next steps after selling your house? The posts below will give you some ideas:

3. Create a Plan Based on Existing Habits

Many people are tempted to tackle the decluttering project all in one go. They’ll empty out the contents of the entire house onto the living room floor; the idea is that it will force you to act immediately. This method does work for some homeowners, whereas others will just feel completely overwhelmed.

Often, it’s better to focus on one room and spend all of your energy getting it clean and clutter-free. It’s easier to keep your momentum once you get going and there’s an end in sight. Plus, once you see how great the room looks without the clutter, you may feel motivated to continue.

If the thought of even working on one room is intimidating, then take it even slower. Clear off one countertop or open one drawer and take out anything you haven’t used in 6 months or more. It may feel like you’re not accomplishing much, but all of these little steps will accumulate and make a significant difference. This is why it’s important to leave yourself the luxury of time.

4. Start With the Least Emotional Items

Tossing an old remote for a device you don’t remember ever having isn’t usually overly emotional. Saying goodbye to gifts from loved ones is a different story altogether.

Make it easier on yourself and begin by getting rid of all of the non-sentimental items first. That alone can help to make your house cleaner and more appealing to potential buyers.

Once those items are taken care of, you can turn your attention back to the belongings you are more attached to. If there’s something you can’t bring yourself to part with, see if someone you love will cherish it as you have.

Remember also that you do not need to dispose of everything, and some things will have enough sentimental or even financial value to make them worth bringing. However, keep in mind that the more proactive you are now, the easier packing and unpacking will be. Decluttering comes with a lot of benefits, not just selling your house at the highest possible price.

Looking for more downsizing tips? You’ll find plenty in the posts below:

5. Make It Easy on Yourself

By far, the easiest way to deeply declutter your home and have it ready for the market in record time is to avoid doing it yourself. Instead, rely on professionals who have the process down to a fine art. Chances are, what you imagine will take months of effort can be done in a day or two, possibly even in an afternoon.

Bringing in help also eliminates virtually all of the emotional challenges of sorting through your items. Instead of rooting through closets and old boxes to rehash memories, you hand-select everything valuable that you wish to take to your new home. It’s a subtle difference in your approach, but your downsizing journey can be so much more straightforward and stress-free.

You’ll be prepared for your move, plus your house will show better and be easier to sell! With the right team by your side, moving on to your next chapter can be a positive experience.

Are you in the planning stages of downsizing your home? Our Etobicoke real estate agents are here for anything you need. Reach out today at 647-282-7653 or email contact@sileckythompson.com with any questions or to get started.