If you’re downsizing a household, you won’t have to decide what to keep and what to part with if you secure a storage unit. Instead, you can use it to set aside your valuable belongings until you decide what you want to do with them. If you’re moving into a small apartment or condo, off-site storage will help you better manage your time and give you the resources needed to pull off a stress-free relocation. Here’s what you should know about using a storage unit to downsize.

Downsizing How-To’s

1. Secure a Floor Plan

Head over to your new residence—with graph paper and a tape measure in hand—to make a plan of its layout. Note the dimensions of each room as well as the locations and sizes of windows and doors. After you’ve constructed a blueprint, you’ll have an idea of which pieces of furniture will fit in each room and how much space is left for clothing, electronics, appliances, and cookware.

2. Donate, Sell, or Give Away Items

Make an effort to pare down possessions to the essentials. Your goal should be to minimize what you store and what you take to your new home. Go through your closets, bookcases, garage, and basement to identify items other people can use, whether it’s a set of weights or a lawnmower.

The Salvation Army has an outreach program for collecting and redistributing household goods to families in need. Or, you can list your possessions for sale on an online marketplace like eBay or OfferUp. 

3. Store Things Short- or Long-Term

Temporarily moving a few possessions into short-term storage can simplify the chore of downsizing. If you know your college-age grandson would be delighted to have a hand-me-down foosball table for his first apartment, retaining it in a storage unit for a few months would be a welcomed surprise.

Also, keep what you use for holiday celebrations and seasonal fun in an off-site storage unit for the long term. You won’t have to find places to stash your collection of heirloom Christmas bulbs and camping gear if you move them into a convenient and affordable self-storage unit.

Drive-In Self Storage in East Syracuse, NY, makes it quick and easy for residents and businesses in Syracuse and surrounding communities to move their property into storage. Whether you’re downsizing a family home or relocating due to a new job, you can rely on their expertise to make the transition as effortless as possible. Visit them online to learn more about storage unit sizes and features, or call (315) 656-4256 to speak with a member of their friendly and knowledgeable team.