One of the trickiest parts of downsizing your home is deciding which of your possessions to keep and which to let go of. Sorting your belongings can be difficult, as it often takes time to trim down what you have. For items that you’re still undecided about, you can keep them in a storage unit for the meantime. Below are some tips to help you sort out your belongings.   

Do:

Keep important documents.

Important papers, such as birth or death certificates, marriage licenses, old passports, diplomas, insurance policies, property deeds, and others, should be kept in a storage unit for safekeeping—even if you don’t currently need them. Avoid throwing out original copies of documents that might be hard to replace.

Save items with sentimental value.

If an item holds a special meaning to you or has sentimental value, it is irreplaceable. Save family heirlooms like pieces of old furniture or jewelry collections, which were lovingly passed down to your generation. Keep old photographs, but also have them digitized as a backup.

Hold on to expensive pieces.

If you own branded accessories or luxury items that have gone out of fashion, save them for later, as they might become trendy again or be identified as a classic in the future. Keep them in their original packaging, including tags, and pack them away in tightly sealed containers.

Don’t:

Toss out items that can be reused.

You may have outgrown items like books, children’s toys, furniture, and sports equipment, but consider donating them instead of throwing them away. Others can still use them, especially if they are in good condition.

Keep broken or damaged stuff.

Items that are broken or damaged beyond repair, including outdated electronics and appliances, should be disposed of. Rather than take up precious space in your storage unit, toss out unusable items before they gather dust. Make sure the data in electronic devices is wiped out before disposal.

Store expired items.

If you have expired items, throw them out before potentially harming anyone. Dispose of old spices, cosmetics, toiletries, medicines, and canned food that are past their best before dates and should no longer be used or consumed.

By sorting your items, you can successfully downsize without sacrificing the items you still want or need. To keep them safe and protected, stash them in a storage unit at Affordable Lock Box in Texarkana, AR. With many self-storage units available for rental, they can offer the best solutions for every need. Call (870) 773-7606 or visit them online to learn more about their secure storage options.