Tips for moving into a smaller house

If you’re moving to a larger city, like San Francisco, chances are you will be moving into a smaller place. In fact, many people are downsizing simply because it suits their lifestyle. While moving into a smaller place has plenty of upsides, there are a few challenges that take some getting used to. Here are 7 tips for moving into a smaller space. 
 

Set Your Top Priorities

 

Think about what makes you happy about your current space. What do you want and need in your living space in order to feel truly at home? The tricky part here is being honest with yourself: Maybe it’s your DVD collection, despite the fact that DVDs are no longer necessary. Maybe it’s the first piece of original art you’ve ever purchased. Whatever it is, acknowledge it and make sure it’s coming with you. If you focus on your top priorities, then you will set yourself up for success in your new living space. 

Let Go of the Somedays

 

Do you really need two camelbacks? How about that mixology set you’ve never opened? When you’ve got a big house with tons of space, it’s all too easy to stash extra items for someday. Now that you’re moving, it’s time to toss those. If you haven’t used these items in the last 6 months, donate them to someone who will. That’s part of the fun of downsizing, you can only focus on what’s serving you right now. If you need some support getting rid of your stuff, host an invite only “Somedays” Sale, so you know all those items that didn’t make the cut will go to a good home. 

Discuss the Logistics With Your San Francisco Movers

 

Your San Francisco movers have likely seen everything, but they will have no way of knowing you are moving into a smaller space unless you inform them. Giving your movers as much information about the move as possible will help make everything go much swifter. On the day of your in-house estimate, make sure you only have what you’re taking with you. Otherwise you could spend more money on packing and hauling than you need to. It is also helpful to separate the items going to storage from the items going to the new house. 

Be Open Minded 

 

American culture mostly tells us that bigger is better, so it can feel limiting to move into a smaller space. In fact, downsizing your living arrangement could actually be liberating. Millions of people all over the world live in small spaces, including collaborative living spaces and tiny homes. This includes San Francisco! Small living spaces are the modern solution to growing populations and expanding urban areas, so there are plenty more resources online to help you do it right. Embrace the change!
 

List Your Keepers 

 

Sit down and make a list of everything you absolutely cannot get rid of. Whether that’s your guitar, your surfboard, your desktop computer or your grandmother’s antique armoire, jot it down so you can plan around it. Any lifestyle essential will probably make it onto the list. Remember, the longer the “Keeper” list, the more difficult it will be to throw things away. So be ruthless with your selections. 

Rent a Storage Unit

 

If there are some keepers that you know won’t fit in your new space, consider getting a storage unit. Many San Francisco movers also provide hauling services, so take advantage of your resources and keep those things that don’t fit in your new space. 

Expect to Get Rid Of More When You Arrive

 

As San Francisco movers, we see this all the time. People think they’ve shed all the stuff they don’t need, only to arrive at their new house and realize they will need to comb through their belongings all over again. Maybe your dining room table is too big, or there’s not enough wall space for your art. That’s OK (don’t forget about that storage unit!). Once you are actually in your space, distinguishing between what you need and what you think you need will become much easier. At least you got rid of all that obvious stuff before the move.