How to Downsize Without Moving House

Downsizing is common when you're moving, but you don't have to wait for a relocation to get rid of some of your stuff. This process, which is also called "right-sizing," can be a great way to free up space and eliminate clutter. But if you're not boxing up your belongings, what's the best way to sort through everything? With the right downsizing home tips, you can decide what items should go — without disrupting your day-to-day life.

This May Also Interest You: Do Household Cleaning Products Expire?

Create a Decluttering Schedule

Downsizing can take time, so it's helpful to plan it ahead of time. Look over your schedule, and find times when you're not typically busy. Then, plan to spend an hour sorting through a box or a closet. When you build decluttering into your week, it's harder to let it slide. Tempted to back out? Give yourself a little treat. You might save a favorite TV show to watch while you go through old papers, for example, or reward yourself with takeout after a successful session.

Start With the Big Stuff

It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're faced with a house full of things you've accumulated over the years. Instead of tackling an overstuffed closet or the spare bedroom, look for big items you no longer need. Getting rid of an old sofa or that extra fridge in the garage can get the ball rolling — and give you some extra space.

Consider items including:

• Worn or uncomfortable furniture

• Extra mattresses and bed frames

• Rarely used appliances

• Old kids' furniture

• Desks or tables that collect clutter

• Outdated electronics

• Old paint or construction materials

• Stained area rugs

Make Use of Donation Pickup Services

Getting rid of big items that still have some life in them? A local non-profit or thrift store might be willing to pick them up from your house. Habitat for Humanity ReStore and The Salvation Army thrift stores both offer this service. Just make sure to check the list of items they allow.

Consider Different Downsizing Methods

Downsizing can be challenging and emotionally draining, especially if you've been living in your home for many years. Here are some methods that can make the process feel more achievable:

• Four-box method: Put out four large packing boxes labeled "keep," "donate," "sell," and "store." Everything you don't throw out should go into one of these boxes. This simple organizing system is a great way to corral extra items over time as you work through the house.

• 12-12-12 method: Every time you start a downsizing session, find 12 things to donate, 12 things to throw away, and 12 things to return to their correct places. After you finish, you can stop or keep going — but either way, you'll have made progress on purging clutter.

• Room-by-room method: Start downsizing in one room of the house, and finish it before moving on to the next. That way, you won't get overwhelmed, and you'll be able to see progress quickly.

When you're considering different downsizing home tips, remember that there's no right answer. Don't be afraid to try multiple methods to find the one that works best for you.

Take Care With Sentimental Items

Heirlooms, kids' toys, and other sentimental items are some of the hardest things to downsize. After all, they're closely connected to your family and memories.

Don't feel pressured to sell or throw out your sentimental things. Instead, you can try:

• Giving them away to family members

• Digitizing photos, kids' artwork, letters, and newspaper clippings

• Donating antiques or heirlooms to a local museum

• Turning sentimental t-shirts or other clothing into a quilt

More Related Articles:

• 7 Things You Shouldn't Store in Your Garage This Summer

• 6 Things You Should Not Store in Your Furnace Room

• Toxic Relationship: Never Mix These Household Cleaners and Chemicals Together

• Is Oven Cleaner Toxic? Here’s What You Need to Know

• 4 Natural Alternatives You Can Use Instead of Chemical Cleaners

Be Strategic About Your Wardrobe

If your closets are overflowing with clothing, it's time to get serious about paring down and organizing. Try using the one-year rule — if you haven't worn it in a year, get rid of it.

Other ways to downsize your closets include:

• Selling or donating everything that doesn't fit

• Storing out-of-season clothing

• Getting rid of stained, torn, or worn items

• Donating clothes that no longer suit your job or lifestyle

• Tossing shoes and accessories that feel uncomfortable

Recruit a Buddy

Call a friend to come over when you're downsizing. They can help or just keep you company while you go through different boxes. And when you start decluttering your closets, they can help you decide what clothes to keep.

Make an evening of it — prepare snacks and a bottle of wine, play music, and catch up while you work. You might be surprised how quickly you can get rid of old stuff when you're laughing and chatting.

Redesign Your Storage and Organization Systems

A disorganized home can feel cluttered, even if you don't have a lot of stuff. As you go through your belongings, take note of the things that often end up getting left on the counter or put in your junk drawer.

Then, categorize these items, and figure out new storage systems and home organization habits. Try to keep items in a logical place. If your craft supplies are always scattered throughout the house, you might put them in a plastic storage unit with drawers in your dining room. For sporting goods, consider putting up a pegboard in the garage or mud room. When you're short on space, think about vertical storage. Wall hooks, tall, narrow dressers and shallow bookshelves don't take up much floor area in a small house, but they keep your rooms looking neat and organized.

Living in an apartment? Consider the ultimate space-saving hack for city-dwellers: hidden storage furniture. You can keep out-of-season clothes in a storage bed, for example, or place guest bedding inside a hollow ottoman.

Effectively Preventing Future Clutter

Once you've successfully downsized your home, try to prevent clutter from creeping back in. Try the one-in, one-out approach. Before you can bring anything new into your house — whether it's a pair of shoes or a new throw blanket — you have to get rid of one thing.

Downsizing is a great way to simplify your lifestyle, even if you're not planning to move. By using these downsizing home tips to get rid of unused or excess items, you can create a cleaner, more relaxing environment.