Living in a home can be great for families, but it also can lead to collecting many things. If you plan to relocate, you have likely noticed the amount of items you will need to transport.

Fortunately, you can reduce the number of items you need to move by downsizing. This article will discuss downsizing your belongings before storing or moving them. 

Declutter Your Wardrobe

If you are like most people, you may have outdated clothing or shoes you don't wear anymore. Your wardrobe is a great place to start when you want to downsize your belongings.

Go through your entire clothing collection and sort the items you don't want from the wardrobe. You will likely find numerous pieces of clothing that would be better suited to someone who values it more. 

Create a Plan For Unwanted Items

A tough decision that people must make when downsizing is what they will do with the unwanted items. When downsizing, you generally can discard, donate, or sell the items.

Discarding items is best suited for damaged or unusable items with no value. If you want to donate, you can give your clothing and other items to a charitable organization.

Some of the most popular charities you can donate to are:

  • Goodwill
  • Local Churches
  • Salvation Army

Give Yourself Plenty of Time

When downsizing your belongings, it's best to give yourself a generous timeframe. Choosing to eliminate items can be tough for many people, as memories are attached to them. 

If you attempt to downsize close to the moving date, you will likely add stress to the relocation. Generally, it's best to start the downsizing process several months in advance. 

Plan Storage Options at the Next Destination

Along with downsizing the items before the move, you can plan for the next destination. If you are moving to a smaller residence, you should select storage options to help free up space.

For smaller properties, you can use vertical storage by attaching wall shelving and cabinets to store items. Additionally, you can place excess items in a self-storage unit in your local area.

Request a Free Moving and Storage Estimate Today

Metropolitan Van & Storage is a dependable moving and storage company helping Bay Area residents. Don't hesitate to work with our highly-trained residential movers for your upcoming relocation.

Contact us today to request a free moving estimate and learn more about our service options. Call to speak with one of our friendly representatives or fill out the online quote form.