You’ve made the decision to downsize, found your new home or in our case, townhome, now it’s time for the big move. Downsizing isn’t just about relocating—it’s about simplifying your life, reducing costs, and ensuring a smooth transition. Here are some key action items to help you make your move efficient and stress-free.
1. Declutter Before You Pack
Before the movers arrive, purge anything you haven’t used in the last year. Go through each room and separate items into four categories: Keep, Donate, Sell, and Trash. Be ruthless—if you haven’t used it, you probably don’t need it. We used Junk-King to get rid of all the items we just wanted to trash. They will literally take anything.
2. Tackle Drawers, Cabinets, and Storage Spaces
Movers will pack everything, including random junk in drawers, outdated pantry items (yes expired food items for 2015), and paperwork you no longer need. Go through every drawer, cabinet, and closet to discard or donate anything unnecessary before the movers arrive. This will save you a lot of time when you unpack. We ended up having to give 5 additional boxed to Goodwill after we unpacked items we would never use again.
3. Sell or Donate Large Furniture Pieces
A smaller space means less furniture. Identify oversized items that won’t fit in your new home and sell or donate them early so you’re not scrambling at the last minute. If you have the opportunity, measure your new space and put together a lay out of where you want your furniture to go. We made the mistake of not doing that and then realized we could not fit one of the couches in the basement. It was then given away.
4. Digitize Important Documents
Moving is a great time to scan and organize important documents. Keep hard copies of essentials like birth certificates and legal paperwork, but consider digital storage for the rest. Then call Shred-It to shred all the other documents or bills you don’t need. They are also very reasonable in their costs to do one time shredding.
5. Label Boxes Clearly and Strategically
Don’t just write “kitchen” on a box—be specific! Label boxes with contents and priority level (e.g., “Kitchen – Daily Use” vs. “Kitchen – Holiday Dishes”). This will help movers place items correctly and make unpacking easier. If you have packers, pay attention to how they are labeling boxes and go behind them added labels to help you when you unpack.
6. Set Aside Essentials for Moving Day
Pack a “first-night essentials box” with toiletries, medications, basic kitchen supplies, chargers, and a change of clothes. This will save you from rummaging through boxes on your first night in the new home.
7. Walk Through the Entire House Before Movers Leave
Once everything is loaded, do a final walk-through of the entire house, including closets, attics, and garages. Check cabinets, drawers, and storage areas to ensure nothing gets left behind. Do this final walk-through before you leave the home you are moving out of. Move days get very hectic. We found the movers wanted to do the walk through after we moved in. We realized we forgot to move the laundry room cabinets which created additional hours of work in the evening.
8. Hire a Cleaning Service (or DIY Clean)
Most sale documents require that you “broom clean” your house before handing over the keys. That means different things to different people. We purchased a home that was “broom cleaned” and it was disgusting. I personally would never want to leave a place to someone that is dirty. Schedule a cleaning service to deep clean your old home before handing over the keys. If doing it yourself, keep cleaning supplies out so you can do final touch-ups at the end of the move.
9. Have a Plan for Pets and Valuables
Moving can be chaotic for pets. Arrange for them to stay with a friend or at a pet boarding facility. Keep jewelry, important documents, and sentimental items with you, not with the moving truck. Move them yourself. Also consider moving fragile items yourself – just to make sure they remain safe.
10. Give Yourself Time to Adjust
Once in your new home, prioritize essential rooms to unpack. I like to start with the kitchen because that is a room you use several times a day. Setting up your kitchen can give you a sense of accomplishment right away. Then move on to the main bathroom and bedroom. Take your time settling in. It will take time to determine where your favorite pictures should go and to feel completely at home in your new space.
Final Thoughts
Moving during downsizing can feel overwhelming, but with a plan and the right mindset, it can be an exciting fresh start. Let go of excess, embrace simplicity, and enjoy the freedom that comes with your new space! If you are contemplating downsizing check out my Blog Post “Making Big Decisions – Downsizing“
Are you currently in the middle of a downsizing move? Share your experience and tips in the comments!