How Do You Move When Your New Place Is Smaller Than Your Old One?

Moving into a smaller home means some of your belongings may need to go before you do. 

Instead of packing everything and figuring it out after the move, compare your new space with your current one first. Knowing how much closet space, storage and floor space you will have can help you decide what to bring, what to get rid of and what you may want to store elsewhere. 

Measure Your New Space Before You Pack

Before deciding which furniture is coming with you, get measurements of your new home whenever possible. 

Measure: 

• Bedrooms 
• Closets 
• Doorways and hallways 
• Living room 
• Dining area 
• Kitchen storage 
• Available wall space 

Then measure larger furniture like your bed, sofa, dining table, dressers and bookshelves. 

A piece technically fitting inside a room does not necessarily mean it fits comfortably. Think about how much room you will have left to walk around, open doors and drawers and use the space normally. 

Decide Which Furniture Is Worth Moving

Downsizing is a good time to reconsider furniture you have kept mostly because you already own it. 

Ask yourself whether each piece fits your new space and whether you still use it enough to justify moving it. 

You may not need a six-person dining table in an apartment with a small dining nook, for example. A large sectional that worked in your old living room could overwhelm a smaller one. 

Sell or donate furniture you know will not work before moving day rather than paying to transport it just to get rid of it later. 

Go Through Your Closets Before Moving

A smaller home often means smaller closets, so avoid packing clothes without going through them first. 

Look for: 

• Clothes you no longer wear 
• Shoes that are worn out 
• Items that no longer fit 
• Duplicate basics 
• Coats you rarely reach for 
• Old work or special-occasion clothing you no longer need 

You do not have to create a minimalist wardrobe. The goal is simply to avoid using limited closet space for things you already know you do not wear. 

Look for Duplicates Around the House

Downsizing makes duplicates much more noticeable. 

Go room by room and look for multiples of things like: 

• Kitchen utensils 
• Pots and pans 
• Mugs and glasses 
• Towels and linens 
• Cleaning tools 
• Small appliances 
• Office supplies 
• Tools 

Keep the versions you use most and consider donating usable extras. 

Use the Storage Space You Have More Carefully

When square footage decreases, storage space becomes more important. 

Look for opportunities to use: 

• Under-bed storage 
• Closet shelves 
• Wall-mounted shelving 
• Over-the-door organizers 
• Furniture with built-in storage 
• Baskets and bins 

But do not use organizers as an excuse to keep everything. Buying another set of bins will not solve the problem if you simply have more belongings than your new home can comfortably hold. 

What Should You Do with Things You Want to Keep but Don’t Have Room For?

Not everything that lacks a place in your new home needs to be thrown away or donated. 

You might have seasonal gear, extra furniture, hobby equipment or other belongings you still use but do not need access to every day. 

A storage unit can give those items somewhere to go without overcrowding your new home. Public Storage offers units in a range of sizes, including climate-controlled options at many locations, so you can choose additional space based on what you need to store. 

This can also be helpful if you are unsure how much will fit. Instead of making rushed decisions before moving day, you can give yourself time to settle in and determine what you actually want in your new space. 

Should You Buy Storage Furniture Before Moving?

It can be tempting to order shelves, bins and storage furniture as soon as you realize you are downsizing, but wait until you know what you actually need. 

Move in with the essentials first. After living in the space for a little while, you may realize you need shoe storage near the door, extra shelving in the kitchen or containers that fit a particular closet. 

Waiting also helps you avoid moving into a smaller home and immediately filling it with even more stuff. 

How Do You Make Downsizing Less Overwhelming?

Start early and work through one category at a time instead of trying to downsize your entire home in a weekend. 

More importantly, do not measure success by how much you get rid of. The goal is to make your belongings fit the life and space you are moving into. 

Your new home may have fewer square feet, but it should still have enough room for you to actually live in it.