Cleaning Hacks for a Smooth Transition to a Smaller Space

If you’re downsizing to enter a new stage of life or to save money, you’ll need to decide what to do with all the stuff you’ve accumulated. This process can be overwhelming, but some decluttering tips can make it more manageable.

Intro to Downsizing

Downsizing doesn’t have to be a negative concept. It can be a time of transition that allows you to create a space that you can enjoy. The process begins before you start packing or even finding your new space. You’ll think about what you need for this new phase of your life and what you’re willing to part with. It means a change in mindset as you think about what you can and can’t live without.

As you work on downsizing, you have several options for what you’ll do with the excess stuff. You can sell it or give it away. You’ll find several non-profit organizations that take items to help those who need furniture, clothing, and other items. Some stuff will be thrown away, while you may choose to store other items that have sentimental or practical value but won’t fit in your new space.

Assess Your Space

The first step in downsizing is to know what you’re working with. You’ll need to assess your current space and the place where you plan to move. Consider what you have that you want to keep. Make a list of all the furniture, décor, and other items that you’ll take with you. While you’re working on the list, mark everything you want to sell, store, or keep. When it comes time to start your move, you’ll have an organized list to work with.

The next step is to assess your new space. Get measurements of each room and a layout of the place. If you don’t have a layout, create your own. Plan where the items you marked to keep are going to fit in the different rooms. Pay attention to details, like how many windows are in each room, which will translate into window treatments. Once you’ve determined what you can take to your new place, it’s time to simplify.

Simplify

The next step is to start simplifying your home and your life. Look at the things you don’t use and decide where they should go. This includes small appliances, clothing, and other items that you keep around. Here are some tips for decluttering to help you simplify your life.

Multipurpose furniture

With limited space, you’ll need furniture and appliances that do double duty. Consider a bed with shelves for the headboard and drawers underneath. Choose a sofa with a pull-out bed for extra space to accommodate guests. Use an ottoman as your coffee table, which provides storage for blankets and other items. The same is true of small kitchen appliances. Instead of two separate items, get a combination air fryer and toaster oven. Decide how many coffee pots or skillets you need and donate the rest.

Organizational tools

In a small space, it becomes even more critical to be organized with your stuff. Invest in organizers for your drawers and shelves. Purchase totes, crates, decorative boxes, and other storage solutions. Designate a space for these things, so you always know where to look when you need something.

Savvy Shopping

When you had a house full of kids, you probably liked to buy in bulk to save time and money. Now that you’re on your own, you may want to change the way you think. Instead of having three boxes of cereal or a large stash of paper towels, only have what you’ll use in the next month or two. By reducing your inventory, you use less shelf or pantry space. Your storage areas won’t look so crowded, which will make a smaller space feel larger.

Storage Hacks

As part of downsizing, you’ll focus more on storage. Here are some ideas to help you stay organized as you store items that you don’t want to get rid of.

Use hidden storage: As mentioned earlier, use ottomans for seating or as a coffee table with built-in storage. Put a storage bench in the entry that holds shoes, umbrellas, and other outdoor gear.

Work your way up: Add selves and hooks to the walls to give you vertical storage when you don’t have as much floor space.

Implement bins and dividers: You can fit more stuff into a space when it’s stacked and organized. Put dividers in your utensil or junk drawer in the kitchen. Use a divider in the drawers in the bathroom to keep makeup organized. Bins can be stacked in the closet to hold more stuff.

Label everything: Spend less time hunting for things when you have labels on all the drawers and bins.

Cleaning Hacks

One of the keys to an organized home when you live in a small space is to keep everything clean. This process includes reducing clutter and picking up after yourself to avoid unsightly piles on the sofa or dining room table. Here are some cleaning tips that will help you create a relaxing livable space.

Continually purge: Though you may have purged a lot of stuff when you moved into a smaller space, you’ll need to keep at it to avoid letting things pile up. Plan a day at least once or twice a year to go through closets and cabinets to get rid of stuff you don’t use or that has expired.

Make your bed: A room feels cleaner when you make your bed. It helps to create order in the space and may inspire you to do more cleaning.

Set a laundry day: Laundry can pile up quickly and get out of control in a smaller home, so it’s important to have a regular schedule. A bonus is that you can invest in a compact washing machine and dryer to save space if you do laundry more often.

Sort mail immediately: One of the most popular places for clutter is on a table with all the mail you get. Go through it as soon as you get home or within a few hours, and put everything in a designated spot. Throw away junk mail and flyers that you don’t intend to use.

These cleaning and storage hacks can help you transition to a smaller space. Try these decluttering tips to help you create a space that you can enjoy for years to come.