If you're moving from a house into an apartment, you're going to have to make a lot of decisions about what stays and what goes. If you're moving into a co-living suite, you have to be very selective about what personal items you're bringing so you can maximize your space.
As you start to decide what to donate, sell, throw away, and keep, keep these four downsizing hacks in mind.
Declutter First
Smart downsizing starts way before moving day. In the months leading up to your move, challenge yourself to get rid of one item a day. It could be something small like extra silverware, or something that takes up a lot of space like an extra armchair or bulky couch. As you declutter, ask yourself:
-
When was the last time I used this
-
Would I buy this again?
-
Do I know someone who could use this more than me?
-
Does this bring me joy?
-
Do I have something else that serves the same purpose?
These questions will help you determine whether or not you keep something or leave it behind.
Another factor in deciding what to keep and what to sell is whether or not your new apartment is furnished or unfurnished. If you're moving into a furnished apartment, you don't have to worry about bringing most of your furniture. If you're moving into a space where you share a kitchen or common areas with others, you don't have to bring your kitchenware or living room furniture either. This could free up a lot of space to bring items that are most important to you.
Invest In Multi-Purpose Furniture
One way to maximize space in your new apartment is to invest in multi-purpose furniture. You may want to get rid of a big bulky couch and replace it with a smaller couch with more storage room. Switch out your dining room table for affordable options, and replace a big bulky bookshelf with open shelves that you can attach to the wall.
Consider Your New Lifestyle
When downsizing from a house to an apartment, your living arrangements aren't the only things that are going to change. The day-to-day part of apartment living can be significantly different than living in a house, and the things that you bring with you should reflect that.
-
If you have two bathrooms in your house but your new apartment only has one, you can consolidate everything from both bathrooms and get rid of a lot of the extras.
-
If you're moving into a co-living suite and we'll be sharing a kitchen with roommates, you don't have to bring any of your utensils or kitchen gadgets.
-
Since you won't have a lawn to maintain, you can sell or donate all of your yard tools, BBQ grill, and outdoor decor.
-
Since you will have a maintenance team on-site to help you with home repairs, you don't have to bring your toolboxes, power tools, or other home maintenance supplies.
-
If the apartment you're moving into has a fitness center, you can leave all of your weights and cardio equipment behind.
Rent A Storage Unit
If you're in a time crunch, consider renting a storage unit. This will allow you to put most of your things in storage and only take what you absolutely need. Renting a storage unit can also give you time to assess your new living situation and determine what items will fit and which ones won't. While renting a storage unit is an added expense it could give you peace of mind so that you can declutter and downsize in your own time.
Bottom Line
There’s a lot to think about when downsizing from a house to an apartment. There are a lot of decisions to make and a lot of factors to consider. One way to make this transition easier is to choose Wilshire Margot for your next Westwood apartment. These co-living suites come fully furnished, making downsizing much easier. Schedule a tour of Wilshire Margot today!