How to Make Downsizing Simple

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Downsizing can be emotionally challenging, especially if you're moving to a family home to a smaller space just for you or you and your spouse. If you're combining downsizing and retirement, you may find that it's too much change all at once for the pair of you. Make sure that you each have your own set of tasks and try to schedule regular discussions about where to go and what to take.

Find a Place You Love

Just because you're going small doesn't mean you can't love your new home. If at all possible, treat your downsizing plan like a part-time job and really put in the time to find a place that's

• physically convenient, as in location

• physically manageable, with as few stairs as possible

• full of features you love, such as windows, fireplaces, or an open-air feel

Additional touches that will work well for you as you age in place can include wide doorways, solid surface flooring, and some wheelchair-friendly kitchen access.

Measure Carefully

Once you've made the decision to downsize and found just the right spot, make sure you measure carefully. Choose the furniture that will work best for the space, and don't be afraid to get a little creative. If you currently own a large buffet full of dishes you're not taking with you that will not work in your new home anyway, look for a low chest of drawers that you can use as a buffet or sideboard for linens in your new dining room. Add a custom cut glass top or a pretty piece of marble to make it food-friendly.

Sketch out each room and make a map of the furniture you're going to bring. Color code your decisions and let your Fort Lauderdale moving company know what goes in each space so you can unpack with as little fuss as possible.

Divide and Control

Part of downsizing is getting rid of stuff. If you're feeling overwhelmed, you will need to divide out your space so you can split out your belongings. Take over your guest room or block off a part of your office for this work.

Enter each space with a

• black plastic trash bag for garbage

• white plastic trash bag for charity donations

• box for items to go to family

• plastic bin for what you're going to keep

If you have family members nearby who can help, set an appointment with them to get their input. When you fill a bag, take it either right to the dumpster or to the spare room so you can stack up items for donation.

Should your neighborhood allow it, or if you know that your area has a group garage sale, get on the list and get your items priced. Of course, you'll never get your original investment back, but the goal is to get the items out of your way as you pack up what you want in your new home.

Donate With a Deadline

If you're giving heirlooms and antiques to family members, be ready to set a hard deadline. Should your children have an eye on something they've always wanted, let them know it needs to be gone a week before you plan to move. Make the investment in the right packing materials, including quality boxes and bubble wrap as well as peanuts to protect these items if your family members need to fly in and ship them back.

A word about heirlooms: Current social trends mean that many people simply aren't interested in great-grandma's salt and pepper shake collection or in your mother's holiday china. This is not a rejection of tradition but a desire to live a bit more simply. For those who are in possession of high-quality or extremely valuable items, consider bringing in an appraiser and selling the items with an eye to splitting the payout among your heirs.

The key to downsizing is to start early. If you can empty your home one room at a time as you make the early plans to live well in a smaller space, then finding your new home and making the final decisions will be much easier. Stop buying large items as you get closer to retirement so you have the dollars to buy items that will work well in your new space.