How to downsize without renting a storage unit

When it comes time to downsize, getting rid of extra belongings is a must, much to the chagrin of closet hoarders and the overly sentimental, who hold on to insignificant accessories because they’re vaguely associated with happy milestones (“That’s the belt I wore when I got promoted! I could never throw that out!”)

Many downsizers resort to keeping things in storage units, but with the rising price of housing and condo fees, a storage unit isn’t a monthly expense you should be eager to add to your list.

So where does that leave downsizers? More importantly, where can you leave your stuff?

When faced with the prospect of downsizing, check out these tips and tricks to avoid having to liquidate your assets or banish them to an expensive storage unit.

1) Take inventory

While some can easily pare down on clutter, others have a hard time parting ways with their possessions. So before you move, take note of the things that you use on a daily or weekly basis and consider donating the things that you haven’t used in months or at all (yes, even the karaoke machine). This way, you can start getting rid of non-essentials and be confident that you can survive an entire week without some of your stuff.

2) Give things to your friends

If your eyes well up at the thought of retiring certain lesser-used items, consider “lending” them out to your friends...for an undetermined amount of time. Whether it’s your beloved, rarely used China set or your piano that you never play, this is a great way to lighten the load without having to say goodbye forever.

3) Throw a party

If you want to profit off of your purge, host an auction! Family, friends, coworkers and neighbours can bid on your unwanted belongings. Add some music and hors d’oeuvres and it can serve as a fun send-off or even a packing party.

4) Ditch the king

Seeing double? Maybe in your dreams! Some scoff at the prospect of having a smaller bed but when space is limited, swapping your colossal king-sized bed for a double may not be so bad. You will be surprised at how much bigger your space looks and how much more room you have when you downgrade your bed size.

5) Go digital

The tech takeover in the literary world has been polarizing. And though some hardcover crusaders have been resistant to the Kindle uprising, tablets are a great investment when it comes time to downsize.

For those willing to forgo the novelty of flipping through pages, tablets allow you to enjoy your favourite books without having to find a place to store them. With the extra space, you can use your book shelves to store essentials, not stories.

That said, books always look good in a home, so don’t get rid of all your books! You should just keep your favourites and those worthy of a reread.

We hope that these tips make for a painless purge and a smooth move into your new, smaller home!