7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment

21 August 2019

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.

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Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

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The Ultimate Commercial Cleaning Checklist: Everything You For A Spotless Workspace

Maintaining a clean and organized workplace is a must for your well-being and productivity. However, it is no secret that office cleaning is a daunting task. There are so many things you need to consider, not to mention different areas and surfaces require different cleaning methods. Often, different methods require different cleaning equipment and cleaning supplies. In this entry, we will share with you the best practices and processes that the best commercial cleaning services use in their office cleaning service. Here's a commercial cleaning checklist to keep your workplace spotlessly clean. The basics of office cleaning services Before diving into the checklist, it is important that you understand the basic processes of commercial cleaning and how commercial cleaning companies deliver these practices. Most of these things are pretty self-explanatory. However, there is a reason why professional cleaners from commercial cleaning companies are efficient in their job – they know how to do things right. Knowing these practices will help you understand how to do them right too. Dusting Dirt, dust, and allergen particles accumulate quickly. If not removed from the business premises, these particles can get mixed into the indoor air and cause various health problems such as allergies, respiratory problems, headaches, etc. Commercial cleaning plans for office cleaning often include exhaustive dusting of all surfaces. This includes desks, shelves, electronics, windowsills, etc. A good commercial cleaning company uses microfiber cloth and a feather duster to remove dust effectively and safely. Vacuuming Vacuuming is the most efficient way to keep workplaces clean. It removes dirt, dust, and various outdoor debris from carpets, mats, rugs, etc. The advantage of hiring cleaning services is that a commercial cleaning company has access to industrial-grade and powerful vacuum cleaning machines that can truly and efficiently remove dirt, dust, and various debris. Nevertheless, when vacuuming your workplace, include cleaning the hard-to-reach areas, such as under the desks, tables, and chairs. Since they are hard to reach, these spots often trap foreign debris. Mopping Mopping is the best way to keep hard floors clean and shiny. It removes dirt, dust, and grime buildup from the floor. However, there is more to mopping than simply sliding the mop head back and forth on the surface of the floor. When mopping the floor, use a cleaning solution that is recommended for the type of floor you have. To ensure that all areas are covered, you need to mop in a back-and-forth motion. Trash removal and disposal No building maintenance will ever be complete without taking the trash out. When removing trash from your commercial premises, make sure to replace the bin liners as well. And when replacing the liner, make sure you clean the interior of the trash bin. Commercial cleaning services often include weekly disinfection of the trash bin. This is incredibly important in preventing bacteria buildup and odour in your trash bin. Disinfecting surfaces Another crucial aspect of commercial cleaning is surface disinfection. Disinfecting surfaces helps prevent the spread of disease-causing germs and bacteria in the workplace. When disinfecting your workplace, make sure you use a disinfectant spray or antibacterial wipes to clean surfaces. This includes desks, chairs, tables, countertops, light switches, office appliances buttons, and doorknobs. Commercial cleaning services often include disinfection and sanitation of surfaces in their cleaning service. 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Thus, when taking care of your breakrooms, make sure you include the appliances, countertops, sink, tables, and chairs. Glass window cleaning Often, business owners neglect their windows, thinking they cannot clean surfaces they can’t reach. This is particularly true for tall building establishments. Professional commercial cleaners, however, have access to the right cleaning equipment and materials you need for a thorough and efficient window cleaning. They have tall ladders, power washers, longer hoses, and the right safety equipment and gears for a thorough clean. Floor care Floors, whatever type of flooring material it uses, must be swept daily to remove dirt and debris. Moreover, make sure you use the right floor cleaner that is recommended for the type of flooring material your business premises has. Carpet and upholstery cleaning Carpets and rugs are basically dirt traps. Aside from completing the look of a certain room, carpets function as dirt traps to minimize and even stop dirt and dust from entering the premises. While regular vacuuming can help, most office vacuums are not strong enough to rid carpets of deep-seated stains and bacteria. This is why commercial cleaning services invest in high-quality equipment so they can tackle difficult cleaning jobs like deep carpet cleaning. And like carpets and rugs, upholstered furniture is dirt, dust, and allergen traps too. Regular vacuuming of upholstery removes foreign debris. However, to ensure your carpets are actually clean, fresh, and disinfected, you can ask professional cleaners to take care of them. Most commercial cleaning service companies would suggest deep cleaning for carpets and furniture upholstery once or twice a year. Air vent cleaning Another incredibly important process for comprehensive commercial cleaning services includes air vent cleaning. 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Upholstery Vacuum all upholstery, including chairs and couches, to remove any dirt or debris. Disinfecting Disinfect all high-touch areas, including doorknobs, light switches, and handles. Floors Mop or steam-clean your floors weekly to remove any stains or buildup. Monthly Tasks: Windows Clean your windows inside and out to let in more natural light and improve the appearance of your workspace. Carpets Have your carpets cleaned by professionals to remove any deep-seated stains and odours. Deep Cleaning Perform a deep clean and complete disinfection of your entire workspace, including hard-to-reach areas and appliances. Office Equipment Clean and sanitize all office equipment, including computers, printers, and phones. Restrooms Thoroughly clean and sanitize your restroom, including the toilet, sink, and floors. Seasonal Tasks: Outdoor Maintenance If you have an outdoor space, clean and maintain it seasonally to keep it looking its best. HVAC Maintenance Have your HVAC system inspected and cleaned seasonally to ensure proper airflow and reduce allergens. Furniture Maintenance Have any upholstered furniture professionally cleaned seasonally to extend its lifespan? The Takeaway As you can see, office cleaning is not a one-time thing. It is a continuous never-ending process. You can save yourself from all these troubles and opt for professional office cleaning instead. Cleanworks cleaning services is one of the few professional commercial cleaning companies that actually deliver the highest quality professional service. They have been in the industry of professional commercial cleaning for more than two decades, thus they have the track record to say they have “been there, done that”. Cleanworks cleaning services have a fully trained, extensively experienced, and completely equipped cleaning team to handle all sorts of cleaning. Their office cleaners are fully insured and up-to-date with the latest local cleaning requirements and COVID cleaning guidelines. Call Cleanworks commercial cleaning services now and get free quotes for your commercial cleaning needs. Their professional staff will be more than willing to help you. Read Also: Why Is A Janitorial Service For Commercial Establishments? 10 Pro Tips To Minimize Commercial Door Repair & Maintenance Cost The Hidden Damages In Workspaces: 5 Steps To Reduce The Risk Of Workplace Injuries!

Simple Spring-Cleaning Tips You Can Do When You Don’t Have Much Free Time

Just like spring brings a fresher start to nature with blooming flowers, you can also give your house a fresh start by spring-cleaning. You can plan a deep cleaning session in spring which is a great time to clean because the winter has just ended. You can get a fresh vibe inside of your home as well as outside in spring. Don't have much time for cleaning? Well, then I have some tips for you that won't require too much time for spring-cleaning. Let's get on with it. Well, these aren't any advanced tips and tricks that will magically get the job done. These are some general ideas from Glimmr Cardiff that you can follow to clean up your house quickly in the spring-cleaning session. Here are some things you can do – 1. Break down the cleaning session into parts Instead of making a marathon out of your cleaning session, try breaking it down into several parts. This means you can opt for dusting at one time, then take a break and go for wiping some other time. Distribute your different cleaning processes by time and do them accordingly. This way, you won't get tired, and cleaning won't feel like trouble. Also, if you are short on time, you can always do one thing a day. For instance, you can opt for dusting one day and wiping the other day. 2. Delegate work among family members Don't take the whole responsibility of cleaning on your shoulders. Involve family members into cleaning as well. This way, the entire house will be cleaned sooner than you can imagine. You can delegate specific duties to certain members to keep things organized. Or you can do it empower work room by room. 3. Decluttering is important If you have to declutter while dusting, vacuuming, or anything else, you will lose a lot of time. Also, it will get very messy doing so. That's why you should always declutter your whole house first and then move on to the other cleaning tasks you have. 4. Try keeping it interesting for yourself Well, this may not seem like a lot, but it has grave importance here. When you get disturbed or annoyed with cleaning your house, it can take more time for you to cleanse that way. Instead, try keeping a clear mindset and enjoy your time cleaning. For example, you can always put on some music while you are cleaning. Or maybe consider cleaning as physical activity of the day and turn it into an exercise session. 5. Keep things organized This means keeping all the cleaning tools in one place. You don't want to run here and there looking for cleaning tools. Keeping all of them in one place makes it much easier and quicker to do all the cleaning tasks. Conclusion All in all, following these tips, will surely get the spring-cleaning session done without wasting too much time. But if you think you won't even have that kind of time, you can always hire professional cleaners to do the job. Provided that, you don't mind spending some money on cleaning your house. Read Also: 7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: 3 Ways to Find Recycling Information in Perth 5 Health Benefits of a Clutter-Free Home

Top 5 Trending Home Renovation Ideas For Australian Families

The year 2020 is nearing an end, and we all want to start afresh. There are many not-so-good memories attached to the year, and hence, with 2021 around the corner, it is time to change things up. If you are someone who wants to start the new year by doing some home renovations project, you have come to the right article. We speak to some of the leading home and design specialists in Australia, and ask them about the five trending home renovation ideas, Australian families can go for in 2021. From gourmet kitchen trends to smart home transformations, we discuss the best ideas in the following sections. However, before we proceed to the list of ideas, let us first look at why home renovation is something, which you should do on a regular basis. Why families should go for Home Renovation projects regularly? Home renovations are important for a number of reasons. Let us list down some of them- It allows you to increase the valuation of your house if you are planning to sell it on the market in the next few years. They add freshness and create attractive spaces, which can be great for families to entertain and host events. Some projects like painting, carpeting, etc. can allow you to remove a lot of infections, molds, and other harmful elements lurking in the house. It is a great way to surprise your family members like children who are returning for the college holidays or for someone who is newly married. Home renovations can be a great way to bond the entire family over something everyone is interested in. List of the Top 5 Trending Home Renovation Ideas for Australian Families 1. Creating an attractive Deck in the Front Garden or the Backyard- A deck can be a great place for you to hold parties and other events in the open spaces of your home. Casual barbecue sessions or wine tasting can be done in a beautiful environment if you have a deck. JVK & Sons are deck builders in Brisbane who feel that that they can be great family spaces for simply lounging around on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Decks can be like a new additional room in your home. 2. Innovating on Open-Floor Drawing Room spaces- If you follow any of the leading home décor and design magazines, you will see that many families now want homes with an open-floor concept. Not only does it make space feel a lot bigger, but it also allows for a lot of natural sunlight and breeze in the living room. You can definitely look at creating such spaces in your home as they are trending at the moment. 3. Using French Windows for Sunlight and Air- Another small, yet highly useful and beautiful home renovation idea can be changing the windows in your home. Going for old-school French windows can change the entire personality of your home. Design experts also say that in terms of aesthetics, there are a few other things, which can match up to French windows. 4. Smart and Connected Home Solutions- Technology is changing the way we live in our homes. It is also adding to the convenience and safety requirements of a family. Using smart connected tech in your home can be a great addition. It can help you use technology for controlling the switches, security systems, appliances, and a whole lot more. There is definitely a sense of novelty in creating a smart home. 5. Gourmet Kitchen Set-Ups- If you are someone like me who spends an awfully long time in the kitchen with your family, you can definitely go for this home renovation idea. Creating excellent gourmet kitchen spaces can help you entertain guests in the kitchen area itself and wow them with the different elements. From using the latest integrated kitchen tops to granite slabs and stool sitting areas, a gourmet kitchen set-up might just be the thing your home needs. The Final Word The planning, research, buying things, etc. stage can be very exciting for a family. Throwing a party at your newly set-up deck can be a memorable experience to cherish for the ages. Can you think of some more trending home renovation ideas for 2021? Let us know about them in the comments section below. Read Also: Upgrading Your Home to a Smart Home Fix Your Home up This Summer With These Core Hacks 7 Tips for Getting Rid of Clutter in Your Home List of Most Durable Kitchen Flooring

7 Expert Hacks for Downsizing to a Smaller Apartment