So, your kids are all grown up! And gone! But much of your home is still organized around a family that no longer inhabits it.

Bedrooms are rarely used. Cupboards are stocked with items no one touches. Storage rooms contain items from multiple generations. At this point, downsizing makes absolute sense.

But you need a thoughtful approach. Here are some tips:

Visualize your next home

Before decluttering, consider what you want your house to look like.

Need a guest room for occasional guests?

Do you prefer a hobby room?

A bigger entertaining area maybe?

Think about what you want. This means that every possession you keep will be functional.

Measure before you keep large furniture

Furniture is one of the most challenging things to deal with when downsizing. A dining table may have been perfect for your current house. But it might not work in a smaller space.

Take measurements of the prospective home and compare with your current furniture. This lets you decide based on actual space.

Start with the easy decisions

There’s no need to start with sentimental items like:

• Family photographs
• Children’s keepsakes
• Heirlooms
• Boxes of letters, etc.

Such items may take much longer to work through.

Begin with items that hold little significance, like:

• Duplicate kitchen items
• Worn-out clothes
• Out-of-use appliances
• Broken items.

If you can do smaller areas, you can build momentum and then progress to more complex belongings.

Make a plan for sentimental objects

Personal items can be challenging to downsize. But you don’t have to hold onto every possession. Instead, choose a smaller series of items that really mean something.

Another option is to photograph valuable large items. Then give them away. Also, let your adult children decide what to keep and get rid of the rest.

Be selective about what you sell

It seems like a wise move to sell off items you no longer use. However, this can become a time-consuming process. Consider the time spent:

• Photographing items
• Contacting buyers
• Arranging pickups.

Selling may be the right choice for valuable items like:

• Furniture
• Artwork
• Collectibles.

On the other hand, it might be more convenient to donate the others. The idea is to make progress without adding another project to your schedule!

Plan the move

Decluttering is only one part of the transition. Once you know what you are taking with you, you can start planning the practical side of the relocation. This may include:

• Measuring furniture
• Organizing boxes
• Arranging transportation.

Professional movers such as Arrow Moving can make the relocation easier. Particularly when you have larger furniture or a substantial number of belongings to relocate.

Allow yourself more time

Decluttering and downsizing can be overwhelming. Start early enough. If possible, months ahead. Start the process early enough. If possible, months ahead.

This will give you enough time to:

• Decide
• Declutter
• Dispose
• Deal with large items.

You can even clear one area at a time. This way, you have more time to rethink decisions.

The takeaway

You want to create a space that matches your current lifestyle. So, focus on functionality and the available space.