How to Downsize: A Step-by-Step Guide

A lot of older adults as they age decide to downsize their homes and belongings. Any children have likely left the home, mobility may be becoming more challenging, or you may simply see no reason to hold onto so much space any longer. But for a lot of us, moving is one of the more stressful life events. (Source)

Downsizing, in particular, is a type of moving that adds a complicated layer to what’s already a stressful puzzle — usually adding a need to comb through years, if not decades, worth of belongings to prioritize those most important to you. In this article, we’re going to make downsizing simple.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through the things you should know about downsizing so you can do it as smoothly as possible. Whether you’re helping your parents make this move, or you’re making this move yourself, we hope you find this list useful. Let’s dive in.

How to Downsize: A Step by Step Guide

If you’re ahead of the game and have lots of time to prep for this move, it’s never too early to start preparing and decluttering.

Step 1: Start Early

Here are some examples of things you can toss or donate long before the move date:

Expired food
Broken appliances
Torn or tattered clothing
Outdated paperwork
Electronics and wires that have long since been replaced
Old sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and other bedding that no longer fits the style or size of existing beds
Old beds and furniture no longer in use
Games or puzzles that haven’t been used in years
Old holiday decor
Etc.

For the most part, these are low emotional attachment items that simply take up space. By removing them before you get to the move, you’ll free up mental capacity to handle the more sentimental items with care when the time comes.

Step 2: Gather Important documents

Collect important paperwork, like birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, medical records, degrees, and diplomas, deeds, wills, passports, etc., so that it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle.

Step 3: Sorting

The third step is to go room by room and sort items into separate piles such as:

Absolutely keep
Potentially keep (items to throw in as room allows)
Donate
Give (to the respective family member)
Sell
Toss

Don’t worry about packing at this point, because these piles will likely shift and adjust as you come through the house. You’ll find new things as you go that will push other items out of their respective positions.

Note: This is the one of the most stressful aspects of downsizing, as you may not be able to keep everything you want – this process should be handled in short bursts over several weeks, if possible (limited to a few hours a day so you don’t get overwhelmed and make poor choices).

Step 4: Pack

By now, you should have an idea of where you or your loved one is relocating to. If you already have the keys, it may make sense to allow the older adult to move to the new residence with bare necessity items, like furniture, a few days of clothing, and necessary food and cookware. This will help remove them from much of the stress that comes from living in chaos.

Either way, here are some tips to make the packing process smooth:

Clearly label all boxes with what they contain and where they are supposed to land in the new residence, for example, bedroom or kitchen.
Prioritize contents into boxes based on how soon they’ll be needed. Anything that your loved one will need within the first few weeks should be packed into boxes clearly labeled with something like, “open first.“
Set aside any important items you’ll need in a safe and easily accessible place, such as the new lease agreement, keys, medications, etc.

Step 5: Move
So now the time has come to clear out the old residence. Here are some things to remember to help you clear out the old house:

Arrange for a garage or estate sale, if required (note, you may want to get some items appraised before you sell to ensure you’re selling for a fair price)
Schedule a charity pick up, if needed
Hire a dumpster for a day, if you’re dumping a lot of items or large ones like furniture
Arrange for movers to come pick up any items headed to the new residence
Etc.

Once the day comes that it’s time to make the move, grab the important items you set aside, (like the new lease or mortgage agreement, keys, emergency information, etc.), and instruct the moving company to clearly separate any of the “open first“ boxes to make unpacking at the destination easier. Now all you have to do is unpack and make this new home cozy.

Step 6: Check In

Finally, plan to check in with your loved one (if you’re an adult child helping a parent) frequently in the early days. One of the reasons moving is so stressful is because of the need to adapt to a new environment. (Source) A lot of that happens after the move in the initial weeks of getting comfortable. Knowing that, plan to check in just a little more often in the initial weeks than you would otherwise.

Closing Thoughts: How to Downsize

Moving is stressful, but the process can feel manageable if you break it down into methodical steps and check them off as you go. The emotional burden of moving is the most stressful part, so be patient with things like combing through old belongings as that can be a significant, if not the most significant stressor of the entire process.

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