After your child leaves the nest, you might be left with several rooms that are rarely used. If you move to a smaller home, you may not have enough storage space to hold all of your belongings plus everything your little one left behind. To help you downsize without giving up precious possessions, here are some tips for selecting what to move into a self-storage unit.

Top 3 Downsizing Strategies to Follow

1. Consider Usefulness

When combing through your child’s closets, drawers, and other areas, you might find belongings you forgot about or didn’t know they had. Set aside any items they haven’t used in over a year, then go through them to decide whether you’ll need them after you move. Anything you won’t need but want to keep, such as childhood drawings, diaries, or photos, should go to a storage unit to help you save space.

2. Check Mysterious Boxes

There could be dusty boxes in the basement, attic, or garage you haven’t opened in years. These may be filled with treasures or junk, so look in each one before you move. Throw out items that have outlived their usefulness, such as moth-eaten clothing and deteriorating appliances. To avoid clutter in your new home, donate what you can and store furniture, old photo albums, and other valuable belongings in a self-storage facility. 

3. Call Your Child

Keep a list of all the items you find that belong to your child. The inventory should include a brief description of each object to help them remember it. Then, call your child to let them know what you found to make sure they’re okay with you donating, discarding, or storing them. This will ensure there aren’t any misunderstandings and help you remember what you placed in storage.

If you are downsizing your home in the Anchorage, AK, area, Ship Creek Storage offers clean, secure, affordable storage solutions to help you move. They have a perimeter fence around the grounds and video cameras to keep belongings secured. They also have an on-site manager to provide more protection and help you with any questions. Browse their unit sizes on their website, or call (907) 276-4107 to ask about availability.