If you live in Paris, you know that moving to a smaller house is one of the most difficult decisions you will ever make. Whether you are moving to a new neighborhood or sticking to the same location, fitting into a smaller space is always going to be a challenge.

It’s not just about downsizing your belongings, but also about making sure that everything in your new space works for you and fits into your lifestyle.

This is the time to start thinking about how many possessions you have accumulated over the years. Downsizing can help you get rid of some things while still keeping the things that matter to you. You don’t need to sell everything in your life at once; instead, you can slowly downsize by selling off items that no longer serve any purpose for you.

Here is how to accomplish downsizing!

Take Stock of Your Belongings

You cannot plan to move to a smaller home when you do not even know the number of items in your house or the amount of space that they occupy. You should start by going from room to room and taking an inventory of all items, including those that do not seem important. After creating the list, you can use it to determine the items you need — and those you can do without.

When taking an inventory of your items, focus on the space available in your new home. Remember that even though you are downsizing, you do not want to make life too difficult. That is why a full list of all your belongings is a reliable guide to choosing the items to move with. The inventory of the kitchen is also equally important so make sure that you make some cancellations on Big Basket as well.

Start with the Big-Ticket Items

The most important thing you will want to think about when downsizing is whether you should keep all of your furniture, along with other large-sized items. These include beds, tables, chairs, dressers, etc. If you decide to move into a new place, these pieces could take up most of the space available.

If you plan on staying put, they also may not fit well into your current living situation. In either case, consider getting rid of them before making other decisions. You may only want to transport the items that you cannot do without.

Sell Anything Else That Doesn’t Hold Memories

Once you’ve decided which items from your old home you’re going to keep, go through each room and look for items that aren’t useful anymore. These include clothes, books, toys, games, kitchen appliances, linens, decorations, etc.

It’s okay to let go of some sentimental items like family photos, but try to avoid letting go of valuable possessions such as jewelry, electronics, tools, collectibles, etc.

When deciding what to keep, ask yourself why you bought something in the first place. Was it because you needed it? Or did you buy it just so you had it around?

If you answered something along the lines of “just so I had it”, then chances are that you won’t miss it after it’s removed from your home.

Find Alternative Storage for the Rest of Your Stuff

After you’ve sold or given away whatever you haven’t kept, take inventory of what remains. These are the items that you need, but do not have space for in your new home. Since you do not want to lose them, you may want to find an alternative storage space, such as renting separate temporary housing in Paris.

Maximize How You Use the New Space

Your new home may not have designated storage areas such as garages, attics, and basements. As a result, you have to create new spaces by using all available options, such as multifunctional furniture. Wardrobes, bookshelves, storage ottomans, and platform beds with built-in drawers are some spaces that you can utilize to store your belongings.

Go Digital if Possible

You can avoid most of the items that clutter your house if you go digital. If you have a lot of paper documents such as receipts, old books, pictures, and letters, you may want to get rid of them by creating digital copies. You do not take up any space when you store these items in your computer or other digital storage devices.

Conclusion

Moving to a new, smaller house in Paris can be an easy task if you know how to go about it. The best approach is to plan adequately and identify the items that you can do away with. You may also want to contact a professional moving company to help you move your valuable belongings safely. Best of luck in your relocation!