Tips for downsizing your home
You recently sent your last child off to college and now you’re an empty nester. Or maybe you’ve decided to sell your home and move to a smaller house because you don’t need so much space. Perhaps you’re tired of paying thousands of dollars in utility bills every year and would gladly trade a bigger home for fewer expenses. Use these tips and ideas to make the downsizing process a smooth one.
What is downsizing?
Broadly speaking, downsizing involves transitioning from a larger home into a smaller and hopefully more practical living space. This could mean moving into a smaller house, an apartment or a condo.[1]
Common reasons for downsizing a home
People may opt to downsize during or after a life event, such as divorce or kids leaving home. Lifestyle factors can also lead to the decision, such as wanting to save money, do less home upkeep or take a simpler approach to living space and possessions.[1]
How to downsize your home
The first step to downsizing is to figure out what’s in your home and get rid of anything you no longer use or will have space for. But maybe there’s so much to go through that you don’t know where to begin. At this point, it can seem like an overwhelming task. There are years of memories, and you don’t want to get rid of anything important.
The good news: You may not have to. Downsizing your home can be simple, and in the end, make your home feel cozier and more comfortable. Here are a few tips on how to begin.
1. Do a thorough inventory
Taking time to create a full record of items in your home can help you organize an approach to decluttering as well as eventually settle into your new home smoothly. In your list, you could make notes when you discover you have multiples of an item, come across must-keeps, or find things that would be good candidates to sell.[1]
2. Evaluate each item and its meaning
It can be difficult to throw away sentimental items such as your child’s report cards from elementary school. But if she doesn’t want them and they don’t serve a purpose for you, putting them in a discard pile is the best way to make room. When you find items such as this that mean a lot to you, commit to finding a place for them in your new home.
3. Go room by room
To make decluttering feel more doable, plan to work room by room and complete each one before moving on to the next. You might want to begin with the rooms you use the least and work your way to your most-used spaces.[2]
4. Figure out the value of items now
Let’s say you paid $800 for a painting 15 years ago. But the painting is in your basement, and you have no plans to hang it up anytime soon. Why keep it? Even if something cost you a lot of money a long time ago, if it doesn’t have any value for you today, it’s not worth saving.
If you’re having trouble parting with anything that was once expensive, consider selling your goods online and/or having a garage sale. If all else fails, you can make donations to organizations with the possibility of claiming a deduction on your taxes.
5. Do a little bit of decluttering every day
You’re going to be overwhelmed if you decide to take a week and declutter your entire home. You may not be aware of it now, but it’s physically and emotionally taxing to get rid of things. Instead, take 20 minutes out of every day to sort through your possessions and decide what to do with them. It may take longer, but you won’t experience as much stress as you would by doing it all at once.
6. Scan papers and keep electronic files
It’s a waste of space to keep old papers around. File the important ones, such as birth certificates and family records, and electronically catalogue the rest. You can invest in a scanner or download an scanning app. This type of app allows you to photograph documents with your phone and then upload them into your computer in a helpful format. Then, you can toss the papers. Voila — you’re free from paper clutter.
7. Start as early as possible
Giving yourself plenty of time for downsizing will help set you up for success. In addition to doing the actual work, setting aside weeks or even months for the process allows you time to emotionally process and avoid rushed decision-making.[1]
Downsizing your home can be a tedious task, but the payoff will be worth it when you settle into a new, uncluttered space.
Sources
[1] “10 tips on how to downsize your home,” Carla Ayers, rockethomes.com/blog/homeowner-tips/how-to-downsize (accessed June 2025).
[2] “A Comprehensive Guide to Downsizing Your Home,” Stephanie Minasian-Koncewicz, thisoldhouse.com/moving/downsizing-to-a-smaller-home (accessed June 2025).