Whether a family member has recently moved out, you’re moving to a senior living facility, or you’re simply tired of maintaining your two-story home, there are many reasons why you might need to downsize as a retiree. However, it can be a real challenge to go through storage spaces filled with decades of belongings, many with their own sentimental histories. If you’re about to brave this organizational feat, use the following tips to ensure everything fits in your new living space.

3 Pointers for Seniors Who Are Downsizing

1. Take Measurements

In some cases, the dimensions of your new living space may help you narrow down your belongings. For example, take measurements of the width of your new living room or seating area, as well as your current sofa or seating arrangement. If your extended sectional won’t fit, you won’t have to pack it up and take with you. Instead, you can focus on finding a smaller replacement that won’t make your new home feel cramped.

2. Separate Items Into Categories

The more you sift through your home’s contents, the harder it will become to make crucial decisions about what stays and what goes. To make it easier, use a sorting process that will allow you to visualize just how much you’ll need to transport and find space for in your new house. Create separate piles for what you’ll keep, what you’ll sell, and what you’ll throw away. Ideally, the keep pile should always be kept smaller than the others.

3. Organize Keepsakes

Garages, craft rooms, and under-bed storage bins can seem more like black holes than storage spaces when it comes time to move. However, it helps to remember that you can still hang onto your children’s artwork, old family photos, and stamp collections without cramming them into your new home. Once you’ve organized these items and weeded out anything you no longer want, consider giving them to loved ones or keeping them in a storage unit for future viewing.

If you’re moving to a smaller property and need a storage space for those extra belongings, get in touch with Alpine Storage, Inc. of Kalispell, MT. They offer both short and long-term units, as well as those ranging from 5-by-10 to 10-by-30 feet, so you can choose the ideal unit for your needs. You’ll be allowed to access your belongings seven days a week, and you can rest easy knowing they’re safe behind a high fence and a coded gate. For more information on this trusted facility, visit the website. You can also call (406) 755-0002 to schedule an appointment to check out their storage spaces.