When Downsizing Your Home, How Do You Decide What to Store?

When downsizing your home, how do you decide what to store?

Start by deciding what you use regularly, what has sentimental value, and what you realistically have room for in your new home. From there, you can sort belongings into categories such as keep, sell, donate, discard, and store.

Getting a storage unit can give you more flexibility when you’re downsizing, particularly if you aren’t ready to part with certain belongings or need more time to decide what to do with them. A storage unit can also be useful when your new home isn’t ready yet, or you need to temporarily move belongings out of the way.

Key takeaways

• Start downsizing early so you have time to make thoughtful decisions about your belongings.
• Sort items into keep, sell, donate, discard and store categories.
• Prioritize the items you use regularly and have enough room for in your new home.
• Consider storing belongings you aren’t ready to part with, especially sentimental or seasonal items.
• Choose a storage unit based on the amount and type of belongings you’re storing.
• Organize stored belongings so you can find what you need later.
• Don’t let storage become a permanent holding place for things you know you won’t use.

Start downsizing before you move

If you’re moving to a smaller home, don’t wait until moving day to decide what comes with you. Give yourself several weeks, or even months, if possible. Starting early lets you work through one room or category at a time instead of making dozens of decisions while you’re surrounded by moving boxes.

Begin with areas that tend to collect things you rarely use, such as:

• Attics
• Basements
• Garages
• Spare bedrooms
• Closets
• Kitchen cabinets
• Storage sheds
• Home offices

You may find it easier to start with these spaces because they often contain belongings you don’t use every day.

Save frequently used areas for later. It can be frustrating to pack up the kitchen six weeks before moving and then have to unpack half of it because you still need your coffee maker.

Decide what you can fit in your new home

Before deciding what to keep, think about how much space you’ll have after the move. For example, if you’re moving from a four-bedroom house to a two-bedroom home, you probably won’t have room for every piece of furniture.

Drawing out a simple floor plan can help you make smart decisions before anything gets packed. Measure rooms, doorways, and large furniture to get a real idea of how much space you have and how much room your stuff will take up. From there, think about where your existing furniture will go, taking into consideration the dimensions of your new home.

Ask yourself:

• Will this fit in my new home?
• Do I have a place for it?
• Do I use it regularly?
• Do I have another item that serves the same purpose?
• Would I buy this again today?

That last question can be surprisingly useful. If you wouldn’t spend money on an item today, consider whether it deserves valuable space in your new home.

If something isn’t the right fit for your new life, get rid of it.

Use five categories for sorting:

A simple sorting system can keep downsizing from becoming a giant pile of indecision.

Create five categories:

Keep: Items you’re taking with you.

Sell: Items that have enough value to make selling worthwhile.

Donate: Useful belongings you no longer need, but someone else could use (like kitchen appliances, clothing, and dishware).

Discard: Broken, damaged or otherwise unusable items that aren’t worth keeping.

Store: Belongings you aren’t ready to move into your new home but may want to keep.

You don’t need to make a decision about every item immediately. If something is particularly difficult to part with, put it in the storage category and come back to it later.

What should you keep when downsizing?

Things you should keep are belongings you use regularly and things that are difficult or expensive to replace.

These might include:

• Everyday clothing
• Frequently used kitchenware
• Essential furniture
• Important documents
• Personal electronics
• Tools you regularly use
• Items with significant sentimental value
• Belongings that fit comfortably in your new home

Think about function as well as sentiment. A smaller home often requires more intentional choices about how much you keep. You don’t need to get rid of everything that isn’t used every week, though. Some belongings have value because they mark important memories or occasions.

If you tend to hoard sentimental items and your collection is way more than will fit in your home, consider this little trick. Take a photo of things like your kid’s drawings, old report cards, band tees, and other items, then discard them. A digital photo, or even a printed photo can take up a lot less room, and you still have a visual of the item.

What should you sell?

Selling can make sense for belongings that you no longer need but still have meaningful resale value. Furniture, appliances, electronics, collectibles, tools, and certain specialty items may be worth selling, depending on their condition and demand.

Before listing something for sale, consider how much time and effort you’re willing to spend. If an item is worth $10 but takes hours to photograph, list, answer messages about, and arrange a pickup, donating it may be the more practical choice.

For valuable items, research their current resale value before deciding how to handle them.

What should you donate?

Donating can be a good option for clean, usable belongings that you no longer need.

Common donation candidates include:

• Clothing
• Kitchenware
• Books
• Small appliances
• Toys
• Home decor
• Furniture
• Tools

Check with the donation organization you’re considering before loading up the car. Donation centers may have restrictions on certain items, and some offer pickup services for large furniture.

What should you discard?

Downsizing is a good time to let go of belongings that are broken, damaged or no longer usable.

Look for:

• Broken furniture
• Damaged clothing
• Expired products
• Worn-out household items
• Duplicate items that aren’t useful
• Broken electronics that aren’t worth repairing
• Items missing essential parts

Some materials, including electronics, batteries, paint, and certain household chemicals, may require special disposal. Check your local disposal rules before putting them in the trash.

What should you put in storage?

Storage can be useful when you’re downsizing but aren’t ready to permanently part with certain belongings.

Good candidates may include:

• Seasonal decorations
• Holiday items
• Seasonal clothing
• Hobby equipment
• Sports equipment
• Furniture you’re not ready to sell
• Belongings you’re saving for a family member

Storage can also help when your downsizing timeline and moving timeline don’t line up. For example, you might need to move out of your current home before your new home is ready. Instead of trying to squeeze everything into temporary accommodations, you can place some belongings in storage until you’re ready for them.

Remember, there are several things to consider when storing your items. First, what is your budget for a storage unit? Your budget will determine how big the storage unit will be and how much you can store. Here are some examples of Public Storage’s storage unit prices:

Don’t use storage to avoid every decision

Storage can give you breathing room, but it shouldn’t become a place where every difficult decision goes to disappear.

Before putting something in storage, ask:

Why am I keeping this?

If the answer is “I might need it someday,” think about how likely that actually is.

For sentimental items, the answer may be perfectly reasonable. A box of family photographs or inherited belongings can be worth storing even if you don’t use them regularly.

For five boxes of outdated paperwork or a broken chair you’ve been meaning to repair for six years, storage may simply postpone a decision. A useful rule is to identify the reason you’re storing something and, if appropriate, set a date to revisit it.

How to choose a storage unit when downsizing

Once you’ve decided what you’re storing, estimate how much space those belongings require.

Public Storage offers several storage unit sizes, including 5×5, 5×10, 10×10, 10×15, 10×20 and 10×25 feet, although availability varies by location.

A smaller unit may work for boxes, seasonal belongings, and a few smaller items. Larger units can accommodate more furniture and household belongings.

When choosing a unit, consider more than the floor dimensions. Ceiling height (so you can stack items), the size and placement of your belongings and whether you’ll need an aisle can all affect how much you can realistically store.

If you’re unsure which size you need, make an inventory of what you’re storing and compare it with the available unit dimensions.

Consider climate-controlled storage

Some belongings can be more sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity than others.

You may want to consider climate-controlled storage for items such as:

• Wooden furniture
• Leather furniture
• Electronics
• Photographs
• Artwork
• Musical instruments
• Certain collectibles

Climate-controlled storage is designed to provide a more consistent environment than standard storage, but availability varies by facility.

Proper preparation still matters. Clean and dry belongings before storing them, use appropriate packing materials and avoid putting moisture inside sealed containers.

Organize your storage unit before you fill it

If you’re downsizing, you may not need everything in storage at the same time.

Put belongings you’ll need soon toward the front of the unit and items you won’t need for months toward the back.

You can also:

• Label boxes on multiple sides.
• Create a written inventory.
• Keep an aisle to reach belongings.
• Group similar items together.
• Put frequently accessed items where they’re easy to reach.
• Keep heavier boxes on lower levels.
• Leave enough room to safely move around the unit.
• Create a simple map showing where major categories are located.

A little planning can save you from digging through 30 boxes to find the Christmas decorations in December.

When should you rent a storage unit while downsizing?

There’s no single right time, but renting storage before the move can make sense when your home is becoming crowded, or you need to clear rooms gradually.

Moving some belongings into storage earlier can also make it easier to see how much space you actually need in your new home.

How to avoid overfilling your new home

Once you’ve moved, resist the urge to immediately fill every empty space. Give yourself time to see how you actually use your new home. You may discover that you need fewer pieces of furniture than you expected.

If you kept belongings in storage while deciding what to do with them, revisit those items after you’ve settled in. Ask yourself whether you genuinely need them now that you’ve adjusted to your smaller space. If you haven’t missed something after months in your new home, that may tell you something about whether it’s worth continuing to store.

Downsizing FAQs

What is the easiest way to start downsizing?

Start with one small area, such as a closet, drawer, or room. Sort belongings into keep, sell, donate, discard, and store categories. Starting with easier decisions can help you build momentum before tackling sentimental or difficult items.

What should I get rid of when downsizing?

Consider getting rid of belongings that are broken, unused, duplicated, or unlikely to serve a purpose in your new home. Items that are still useful can often be sold or donated rather than discarded.

Should I sell or store my furniture when downsizing?

Consider the furniture’s value, condition, sentimental importance, and whether you may need it later. If you’re moving to a smaller home but aren’t ready to permanently part with a piece, storage can give you time to decide.

Is it worth getting a storage unit when downsizing?

A storage unit can be worthwhile when you need additional time to decide what to keep, have belongings you want to preserve or need temporary space during your move. Consider the ongoing rental cost and whether the belongings are worth storing long term.

What should I put in storage when downsizing?

Seasonal belongings, hobby equipment, and furniture you aren’t ready to part with can all be candidates for storage. Choose items based on their value to you and how likely you are to need them later.

How do I know what size storage unit I need?

Make an inventory of the belongings you plan to store, including large furniture and appliances. Compare the amount of floor space you’ll need with available unit sizes and remember to leave room to access your belongings.

How long should I keep things in storage?

It depends on why you’re storing them. If you’re using storage temporarily while moving or downsizing, set a date to review your belongings. For long-term storage, periodically reconsider whether the items are still worth the ongoing storage cost.

Can storage help when moving to a smaller home?

Yes. Storage can give you additional space while you sort belongings, prepare your current home for sale, or transition into a smaller home. It can also give you more time to decide what to keep rather than making every decision during the move.