7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment

Published on: 21 August 2019 Last Updated on: 10 August 2020

So you want to downsize to a smaller apartment?

If you’re banging your head against the wall trying to figure out how to make a move go smoothly, you’re not alone. We’ve all been guilty of having too much stuff!

Give yourself a break and start thinking of solutions. Stay inspired by focusing on the many benefits of downsizing!

Moving into a smaller apartment gives you the chance to start over and get rid of things you no longer need. It can also help you to get organized and keep only the essentials.

Even better, you won’t have to clean nearly as much space and can live as a minimalist! That in itself has some serious perks. Your stuff won’t own you and you’ll have more time to enjoy life.

Do you see where we’re going with this?

Get ready, because, in this article, we offer seven expert hacks to help make the process of moving into a smaller apartment easier.

Here are 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment:

1. Analyze the space you’ll have

It’s essential to know the total space of your new apartment before you start the downsizing process.

Take a look at your new floor plan and figure out how much room in feet and inches are on each wall. That way you’ll know what will fit in your apartment.

If the measurements aren’t on the floor plan, ask the leasing office to provide you with the details.

But, the floor plan or provided measurements won’t tell you everything. You need to measure the extra spaces as well:

Closets
Space under the bed (more on this later)
Bathroom storage and cabinets
Garage storage (if your apartment includes a separate garage)
Kitchen storage and cabinets
Other spaces where you might add shelving (like the top of the fridge or in a window)

When you’re done with that, measure your current furniture and decide which pieces will fit into your place and which ones you won’t need.

2. Determine your actual needs

An excellent way to figure out what your needs are is by asking yourself if everything was gone, what would you replace?

Jot down some necessary items you can’t live without such as a bed, sofa, coffeemaker, dog bed — whatever is important to you.

You should also ask yourself the following questions:

What sentimental items will I miss the most?
Does this item serve a purpose?
Do I already have something that serves the same purpose?
Can I use this item to accomplish more than one task?
Is this object in good shape, and will it last for a while longer?

This is the point where you’ll be making some headway on knowing what you’re keeping and what you can live without.

If ever in doubt of whether you should keep or donate something, go back to asking yourself these questions.

3. Set some tangible goals

When it’s getting closer to moving time, you need to come up with a game plan.

Best get started with setting some goals before time escapes you!

We’re assuming you want to declutter and possibly redecorate your new place, and if that’s the case, it’s time to set some tangible goals.

Ask yourself these questions:

(Yes, we realize we’re telling you to do this yet again.)

What do I hope to gain by adopting a minimalist lifestyle?
Do I want to keep the furniture I have or get new furniture (#1 and #4 will help with this)
How do I plan to declutter?
How will I maximize my space? (Keep reading because we cover this in #4.)
What will I do if I can’t decide to part with some items?
Should I pay for storage elsewhere to store extra belongings?

Need some help answering those kinds of questions?

Here are some goals you could have:

I want a clutter-free apartment that will give me peace.
Not fixating on my possessions will help me feel free.
I’d like to have a clean slate and keep my belongings organized moving forward.
Being minimalistic will help me put emphasis on the most important emotional and physical items in my life.

Write down a few goals that inspire you so that when you feel like giving up, you’ll be able to remind yourself of your intentions.

4. Be a master organizer by maximizing space

Since you know how much space is in your apartment, as we recommended in #2, you should already have a plan in place as to where everything should go.

With the limited storage space in your new digs, it’ll help to store things vertically.

Vertically aligning hooks and shelves helps you take advantage of every square inch of space.

You might want to use adhesive hooks at first because most are easy to adjust.

We’ll be getting into how to simplify your wardrobe next, but for now, keep in mind that multi-use furniture can solve a lot of storage problems.

Keep reading because we’re about to reveal some killer ideas.

One idea is to maximize space by incorporating storage headboards. These are pieces of furniture such as bookshelves and a hutch that’ll fit over your bed.

Incorporating these types of units will make it easier to store a variety of items from family treasures to books and jewelry.

For example, incorporating a fitted unit in your closet can make it easier to organize.

Beyond that, think of other ways you can make use of storage. Is there any room underneath the bed you’ll be moving into your fancy new apartment?

If there isn’t and you need an upgrade, buy a bed that has drawers underneath. Trust us — those drawers will be your best friend when you need to store extra items of clothing such as blankets or sweatshirts.

Keep your bed if you like it, and it just so happens that you may be able to squeeze in some bins underneath to use as storage. For example, milk crates work well when you want to store books, tee shirts, and keepsakes.

5. Simplify your wardrobe

Seriously, how do you go about simplifying your wardrobe with you have a gazillion t-shirts?

If you think your new closet is small, just think about the people who live in tiny homes. Now those are super tiny!

Don’t worry; you can do this if they can!

Here are some steps to follow that’ll make your wardrobe functional in no time at all.

Step 1: Get all of your clothing out (ALL of it!) and put it somewhere you can sort through it. Whether that’s on the floor or on your bed is entirely up to you.

Step 2: Next, divide those clothes into three different piles and decide to donate, keep, or store them.

Step 3: Ask yourself if the clothing fits you or if it’s still in wearable condition. If you haven’t worn jeans, for example, due to a weight gain or loss, donate or store those items.

Don’t keep clothing that’s falling apart. That’s just a waste of precious closet space!

Step 4: Are you done going through your clothing and separating them into three different piles?

Okay good, you’re going to do it again. This time ask yourself if this clothing fits your personality and your current lifestyle.

Step 5: Mission complete! Well, almost. Organize the clothes you’re keeping, store what you plan to wear later (such as seasonal clothing), and drop off clothes you’re donating.

6. Sell or donate what you don’t want

Now that you know how much space you have, and how to simplify your wardrobe, let’s dive into why it’s so essential to sell or donate belongings. It’s time to stop and figure out which items you can and can’t part with.

As you know, whether you’re moving to a different city or relocating to a separate apartment at the same complex, moving takes a lot of work.

You should do everything in your power to simplify the moving process.

Eager to make some money to help with moving expenses?

One way to do that is by selling belongings and furniture you no longer want.

Try Craigslist, eBay, garage sales, Facebook, consignment stores, and more.

Before you even start packing, you should sell, donate, or recycle stuff you can live without. This will eliminate packing everything up only to decide later that you didn’t need that item of clothing or five extra plates.

If you have problems deciding whether you want to keep, sell, or donate an item, take a hard look at everything you own.

Think about whether another person would find use out of that item.

If the item is useful, you can either donate it or sell it, depending on its value.

Who knows, your trash may turn into someone else’s treasure.

7. Digitize nonessential media

Next let’s dive into how you can digitize and save documents, pictures, videos, cassettes, videos, DVDs, and CDs.

While it’s important to keep hard copies of documents such as your social security card and birth certificate, try to save and scan everything else.

Transfer CDs and DVDs to digital files by using free computer programs such as Freemake Video Converter, Movavi, and WinX.

Scan documents to your computer or save them as PDF files. After you’re done scanning everything, use services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft One Drive.

Online storage sites are lifesavers when your goal is to digitize media.

Think of all of the space you’ll free up in your new apartment by getting rid of boxes of videos, paper, and more by going paperless!

It’ll take some time, but it’ll totally be worth it. And boom! Suddenly you’ll realize you’re there.

So, do you think it’s time to move? Even though downsizing may seem daunting, it doesn’t have to be. Moving to a smaller apartment has its perks, such as decluttering your life and organizing your new place with fewer belongings.

Simply put, downsizing to a smaller apartment means:

Enjoying lower monthly expenses and living costs
Not having to clean nearly as much since your place is smaller
Living a minimalist lifestyle without meaningless belongings getting in your way

Instead of sweating the small stuff, take the moving process step by step. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying your new digs, relieved that you took the time to eliminate the clutter.

Carolina Creek is a great townhouse-style community located about a mile from Eastern Carolina University’s campus. The community consists of 2×3 and 3×3 apartments and contains a full amenity suite including a fitness center, pool, business center, and game room. The community is the best value in the Greenville NC student housing market.

Read Also:

Content Rally

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Budget Friendly Home Improvement Hacks To Save Your Pockets

Home improvement is a big deal now, with more people embracing their creativity and letting it show in the places they live. This has led to the rise of incredible trends and hacks that provide the perfect opportunity for people to work in their homes. However, with all this development, it also gets confusing and daunting for some people. This is mainly because they have no idea where to start or some of the hacks they can include in different areas. These hacks are meant to be easily doable tasks that will transform your space when implemented. We’ve categorized these hacks in terms of placement and application. Some of them include: Floors In the home, floors play a big role in how the home looks and the general style you’ll be working with. A few tweaks here and there can completely change the look of your floors and add style and character. Some of the most versatile hacks to include for your flooring include: Peel And Stick Tiles When it comes to finding the perfect flooring for that annoying red floor or just need a new look, peel and stick tiles will do the trick. These tiles are amazing given that you can easily install them yourself. They are designed to give off the illusion of regular tiles without having to deal with grout, glue, and other tedious processes. You can get them in different colors, styles, and patterns making them the perfect option. Replacing Your Tile Grout When dealing with tiles for your flooring, you may find that the grout may get stained and turn to a different color which becomes hard to clean. However, you have the option of replacing the grout with a new one in the same color or a different one. Adding A New Finish This is especially a great idea if you are dealing with wooden flooring. With this, it is easier to add a new finish when needed to give the floors a new and vibrant look. Lighting One of the most understated hacks is the ability to switch out your light fixtures and improve the overall look significantly. Most people don’t know what role lighting plays in your space. You need to improve your lighting situation, which will give your space more life. To make it more appealing, consider getting light fixtures that feature some detail and a unique design. Additionally, you could also include under-cabinet lighting for your kitchen featuring the use of custom led lights. You also have the option of choosing to go with statement chandeliers, floor lamps, wall lights, and pendant lights among others. When it comes to lighting, you are spoilt for choice and can easily improve your space. Walls Adding some style to your walls is another great way to improve the overall look of your home. For this, you have a few options to choose from that are easy to work with and get quality results. They include: Adding a Fresh Coat of Paint Paint is a great easy way to get a different look when working on your walls. With this, you have the option of working with a variety of colors depending on the vibe you are going for. Additionally, you could paint one wall a different color and have that as your accent wall. This will improve the look of your room significantly. Adding A Wallpaper Wallpapers provide a layout, especially if you don’t want to do a paint job on your walls. They come in different types, patterns, and designs to ensure that they cater to everyone’s needs. With this, you can choose to cover all your walls or use them on one wall that will serve as your accent wall. Hanging Art Art is another great way to bring your taste and style into your home. For this, you can create your art piece or purchase one made by another artist. Entryway When it comes to your entryway, the first thing you need to consider is your storage options. Once you get into the house, where do your shoes, bag, coat, and keys go? Having a station where all these items can be kept will keep the home tidy and add a great design aspect to your space. Additionally, you can also add other decor items to make your entryway arrangement more visually appealing. Patio When it comes to dealing with the outdoors, one of the most effective ways to change it is by adding a seating area. Be creative with this and go for something that portrays who you are. Don’t be too rigid and only stick to what’s normal. Find what works for you and add it to your space. Play around with colors and create a cozy space to relax with family and friends. Greenery Adding some green aspects to your home is an amazing way to improve the look and add some character. The best part about adding greenery to your space is that it will help improve air circulation. When working with greenery, you need to take the time to water them to ensure they are healthy at all times. You could also opt for fake plants, given that they will add the same look and style. Adding Budget-Friendly Feng-Shi To Home-Decor Are you looking to bring more balance and good vibes into your home without breaking the bank? Feng Shui is all about creating harmony in your living space, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to make it happen. With just a few budget-friendly changes, you can invite positive energy, or "Chi," into your home and make it a calming, welcoming space. Clear The Clutter The first and easiest Feng Shui tip: declutter! It’s amazing how much difference a tidy room can make. When you get rid of the excess, you’re not only creating physical space, but you're also allowing the energy to flow freely. Take a walk around your home and ask yourself: Do I really need this? Less clutter equals more clarity and positive energy. Maximize Natural Light Good lighting is key to great Feng Shui. Natural light boosts the energy in any room, so open up those curtains and let the sunlight pour in. If you’re working in a space that doesn’t get much natural light, don’t worry. You can place mirrors strategically to reflect and amplify what little sunlight you have. Mirrors are like energy boosters! Bring in Some Green Plants are a staple in Feng Shui. They not only clean the air but also represent life, growth, and vitality. Even a small potted plant can make a huge difference. If you’re not exactly a plant person (hello, brown thumbs!), opt for easy-to-care-for plants like succulents or snake plants. And don’t worry; artificial plants can also work if they look realistic. Use Soft, Calming Colors You don’t need to repaint your entire house to improve the flow of energy. Start by adding calming colors like soft greens, blues, or neutrals in small touches, think cushions, throws, or wall art. These tones promote peace and relaxation, which is exactly what you want in a balanced space. Arrange Furniture With Intention Did you know that where you place your furniture can affect the energy in a room? Try to arrange your furniture so that you can see the door from where you’re sitting or sleeping. It promotes a feeling of safety and control. Plus, don’t block pathways with furniture, as it interrupts the flow of energy. Ready to try it out? Let Feng Shui transform your space! Improve Your Living Space! Investing in your home and interior design is essential to ensure that you are content with your living space. This is something you can do by implementing a few hacks here and there. Take your time to go through them and add them to your space one at a time. Transformation is a gradual process which means you’ll need to keep at it until you get to your desired outcome. Read Also: How To Increase The Value Of Your Home Important Things to Know Before Starting a Home Improvement Project Home Sweet Home Improvement: How to Find the Best Home Improvement Loans

What Does Sound Dampening Mean?

Noise traveling to and from rooms can be distracting when trying to work, read, or enjoy some peace and quiet. It can be hard to focus on what you are trying to do when you can hear music blaring, a loud television, or children screaming through the walls, not to mention a million other potential distractions. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce sound transmitted through the walls, which can be invaluable when preventing sound transfer inside or outside a room. Felt Right has a unique way to achieve this. Depending on the materials you use for this procedure, you can obstruct more or less sound, even blocking the transmission of sound waves entirely, if you choose. What is Sound Dampening? Sound dampening is installing materials within a home, vehicle, or other location to absorb, reflect, or diffuse sound. This reduces the amount of noise that passes through and can also improve a room’s acoustics, which is why sound dampening is also known as “acoustic treatment.” It is a significant reason that recording studios make use of this technique. Sound dampening can eliminate approximately 80% of the sound transfer, meaning that you can prepare a room for studying, work, hobbies, or mental health. However, there is just enough sound to hear if there is an emergency in another room or someone yells for you. This is especially ideal if you have children in the house or others who may need your attention so that you can focus on what you are doing while still being accessible to others if required. If you need even greater solitude, one option is to soundproof a room similar to sound dampening but endeavors to block any sound infiltration whatsoever completely. However, this process is far more intensive and to prove entirely successful generally requires planning in architectural design before room construction to ensure complete soundproofing. What Materials Work Best for Sound Dampening? When you sound dampen locations, you must decide which materials you wish to use. Different materials can prove effective to different degrees; some are external solutions, while others require installation within the walls or other surfaces. Keep in mind if air can pass into an area, so can sound. For best results, address windows, spaces between and under doors, and other airflow conduits. No matter how effective your sound-dampening materials are, if air passes freely through such openings, you will have more noise. Felt Tiles One of the easiest methods for sound dampening is through the use of felt tiles. These panels have an adhesive back designed not to damage walls or paint, creating a plug-and-play solution. Felt tiles are versatile, coming in various shapes, sizes, and colors, so they are excellent choices if you wish to snazzy up the interior design of your room and enjoy the benefits of the felt’s sound-dampening qualities. Choosing felt tile designs to match your taste or set a professional tone can be invaluable when creating a relaxing atmosphere or environment conducive to work. A soothing, welcome decor has proven effective in improving mental health by reducing stress and anxiety. Having an attractive backdrop during work video calls provides an air of credibility to a home office space. In either situation, the reduced noise permeation is invaluable. Polyurethane Foams These polymer foams come in rolls or sheets and can serve as a suitable sound-dampening barrier, particularly when reducing high-frequency noises. However, low-frequency sounds are more likely to penetrate if the foam is not sufficiently thick, so keep this in mind if you want more effective noise reduction. Also, be aware that polyurethane foams are flammable, so only place them in areas where they will not be susceptible to open flames or other fire risks. As a result of this quality, this type of sound dampening should be for home use in fire-safe locations rather than used in an industry setting, where there is a greater risk of inflammation. Polyester Fibers These dense materials are excellent for sound dampening in industrial settings or other noisy areas. They work best on high-frequency sounds and are often lauded for their strength and durability, making them incredibly resistant to general wear and tear and fire. Plus, it is a lightweight material, which makes it easier to transport and install. Cork This porous material is surprisingly effective as it can trap a significant quantity of air, which means it can catch sounds and convert them to vibrations, effectively deadening noise. Cork is effective even in thin sheets, and the material is incredibly lightweight. Furthermore, it is an accessible material to install and can be purchased in tile forms for easy customization. Mass-loaded Vinyl A popular choice because it is one of the least expensive sound-dampening options, mass-loaded vinyl is explicitly intended for sound dampening. It is easy to find and acquire this material, but remember that the denser the material, the more effective it will be. Mass-loaded vinyl does not have much elasticity, so it forms a solid barrier that sounds waves have trouble passing through. Green Glue, Gaps, and Spaces Remember that sound can pass through any space air can, so for better sound dampening, you need to find spaces where air can pass through, such as cracks or gaps within the walls. Green glue is an excellent choice for filling holes, blocking airflow, and reducing the noise that can enter (or exit) the room. For areas you will not want to seal, such as windows, you can find sound-reducing curtains that can serve as sound dampening, combatting unwanted outdoor sounds such as those from traffic, industries, and neighbors. For doors, sound dampening can be as simple as placing a blanket against the gap beneath. Alternatively, you can install a door stop, soundproofing rubber, or acoustic panels to block sound from entering. The Bottom Line When you want to keep from traveling in or out of a room, one of the most effective ways to reduce sound is to find appropriate materials that function as sound-dampening agents, placed along walls and wherever there are gaps or cracks in which sound can pass. Proper sound dampening can create an atmosphere conducive to work or relaxation or prevent televisions, music, musical instruments, and other loud forms of recreation from disturbing others. Read Also: How To Get 60 Day Trial For Luxury Beddings Five Bedroom Rug Ideas – Area Rugs and Decorating Ideas Living Ideas In Small Bedroom House Plans With Efficient House Designs

Removing Air Conditioner Filters: A Guide

Air conditioner removal can be difficult at first. While they look like simple appliances, they are complex and can be difficult to repair on your own. Most of the time, you'll need professional assistance to ensure that it's installed the right way. If you do not install or change a mechanism in the right way, it may lead to serious impairment and might destroy the product forever. Air conditioning units can be expensive, but provide cool air and comfort to your home. Since they can get destroyed quickly, it's your job to ensure that your A/C's filters are maintained. And we'll show you how to replace them in this guide. It is also important to note that you will not be able to ask an expert to come to your home at all times. Besides the routine servicing, which stretches to three or four times, you might need to so some of the regular maintenance work. In this article, we will help you discuss some of the basics of taking care of your air conditioner. Should I Buy or Rent an Air Conditioner: The most important decision you can make before buying an A/C unit is either renting and buying it. Some individuals prefer the hassle-free benefit of renting. While more established homeowners would rather own their air conditioners and don't mind the costs or accountability associated with it. If you are someone who is shifting to a new location just for a few months, it is ideal for you to rent an air conditioner. Many professionals who work in short stints as consultants or on projects for different MNCs. They are often stationed somewhere for not more than a year. Once the project is over, they pack their bags and leave for a new location. For such individuals renting an air conditioner makes much more sense than buying a new unit altogether. Renting Buying You can get government main-in rebates without the upfront costs. There are some promotions available when you buy your cooling equipment. Renting means you don’t have to worry about your family’s comfort. Like rentals, you can get government incentives and mail-in rebates. This convenient, hassle-free option can give you a piece of mind Buying is a great option for homeowners. If you're thinking about buying an air conditioner, here's something you should think about: While the A/C unit has a higher upfront cost, you'll have complete ownership over your equipment. The only cost you need to worry about is the monthly rent. You can purchase a protection plan to pay for unexpected repair and maintenance costs. How Can I Replace My Air Conditioner Filter: It is important that you take care of your air conditioner, not only for increasing the longevity of the machine but also for your own comfort and convenience. Changing the filters of the air conditioner from time to time will ensure its long life as well as help you get the comfort of perfect cooling at all times. In the following section, we will discuss how you can efficiently change the filter if your air conditioner. Here are some ways you can replace your A/C filtration: First, locate your old filter. In other cases, it might be located behind the furnace. Make sure to turn off the unit before turning off the filter. If you are not careful, you might end up hurting yourself badly. Ensuring that you are safe while handling heavy and electrical equipment is necessary. Find out what type or size you need. The old filter will have its size printed on it. Make this size with the size of your replacement filter. When looking for the right filter for your home, find how what air filtration you will need and find out how long each filter will last. Always ensure that you get the right size. If you do not do that, you might end up destroying the machine and its effectiveness. Do not try to force a size if it does not fit. Install the new filter - place your new filter into the housing, fasten the cover, and then snap it in place. Place the filter in the right direction. It has an arrow pointing the way in which it needs to be inserted. If you have trouble, it is important that you go through the manual repeatedly. Once you do it a couple of times, you will start doing it the right way. How Often Should I Clean My A/C Unit? The frequency on which you should replace your A/C filter depends on a few factors in your home. The number of pets, the number of people, and if anyone in your house is suffering from allergies, it impacts how often you should change your indoor filters. If you are living in a dusty environment, you would need to change it more often. If you are living in a clean mountainous region, you can change it after extended periods. Likewise, it also depends on the use. An air conditioning unit in a guest bedroom, which is used twice or thrice a month might not need regular changes of filters. However, one that is in your own bedroom and used almost every single day might need to be changed often enough. As a rule of thumb, you should change your A/C unit every 30-60 days for the best air quality. If you suffer severe allergies or have pets in your home, you should replace your air filters more often. Conclusion: To conclude, using air conditioner removal techniques will help you enhance the lifespan of your unit. By taking out the filter, you'll keep your air conditioner running without having issues with the air distribution. When in doubt, seek professional services to ensure that your air conditioner continues to work during the summer. However, if you feel that there are some other problems that regular filter change cannot address, please do not hesitate to take help from a qualified professional. Read Also: How To Become A Certified HVAC Technician In Canada Best Practices That Extend The Life Of Your Appliances Five Ways To Improve The Air Quality Inside Your Home How To Repair Home Appliances And Use Humidifiers

7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment