Want to learn how to downsize your home? Use this practical downsizing checklist to declutter, simplify, and move into a smaller, more manageable space.
Are you ready to simplify your life and wondering how to downsize your home? Downsizing can feel overwhelming, and fewer people seem to be doing it these days despite the many advantages.
The average home size in 1950 was under 1,000 square feet. By 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average had climbed to nearly 2,600 square feet.
When we lived in a “typical” home, ours was close to that modern average. Our St. Louis-area house measured roughly 2,500 square feet including the finished basement, yet it was occupied by just my husband, our two dogs, and me.
Instead of continuing to maintain a large house while traveling often, we chose a different path. A few years ago we sold our home and first moved into an RV and later into a sailboat. We made this change for many reasons, the main one being that we already spent much of our time on the road. Owning a large house while traveling nearly full-time created stress and extra responsibility, so we decided to downsize our lifestyle and our living space.
We did it. Downsizing wasn’t easy. We sorted through everything, put some sentimental or rarely used items into storage at family’s homes (including hundreds of photo albums and a few family paintings), and moved into the RV—and then the boat. The work was daunting, but it helped us move toward the life we wanted to live. We haven’t regretted it: we’re happier than ever.
Whether you want to downsize for retirement, travel, financial savings, or simply to reduce clutter and stress, moving to a smaller home is achievable. Here are practical reasons to downsize and a detailed checklist to guide you through the process.
Common reasons to downsize include:
- To save money. Larger homes usually come with higher utility bills, higher insurance, greater maintenance costs, and larger mortgage payments. Reducing square footage typically reduces these ongoing expenses.
- To reduce clutter. Bigger homes often create unused rooms that get filled with unnecessary items. In a smaller space you’ll be more deliberate about what you buy and keep.
- To spend less time on maintenance and repairs. More appliances and more rooms often means more time spent fixing and maintaining them. A smaller home reduces these demands.
- To spend less time cleaning. Less space equals less cleaning—simple and freeing for many people.
With those benefits in mind, here’s a practical step-by-step guide on how to downsize your home.
How to downsize your home
Make a plan for downsizing.
Downsizing is more than moving boxes. Before you begin, consider:
- The size and layout of your new residence so you know what will physically fit.
- The time you have available. Moving is stressful—rushing the downsizing process increases stress and reduces good decision-making.
- How you’ll dispose of items you don’t keep: sell, donate, recycle, or give away.
Identify what you cannot part with.
Deciding what to keep is often the hardest part. Start a list of items you feel you absolutely cannot let go of. The list may be long at first, but it helps clarify priorities and makes future decisions easier.
Start with what you can easily let go of.
If time allows, begin by discarding clear non-essentials. Removing easy-to-release items will build momentum and make tougher choices less intimidating.
Examine why you keep certain items.
People hold on to things for emotional or practical reasons. Ask yourself honestly about each reason:
- Memories: Sentimental objects can be hard to replace. Decide whether the memory is tied to the object itself or to the memory you carry—photographs or a single keepsake may suffice.
- Cost: Just because an item was expensive doesn’t mean you must keep it forever. Consider whether selling it would offset downsizing expenses.
- Length of ownership: The fact you’ve owned something for years isn’t a reason to keep it. When did you last use it?
If space is limited in your new home, reflect on whether keeping many items is truly necessary—and discuss your reasoning with family or a friend to gain perspective.
Digitize documents and media where possible.
Paper accumulates quickly and contributes significantly to clutter. Scan tax records, receipts, warranties, and other documents and keep a single binder of the most important physical records. For sentimental media—like family photo albums—decide whether digitizing will preserve the memory in a format that’s acceptable to you. We kept one binder of essential paperwork and scanned the rest; clearing out paper was extremely satisfying and practical.
Give yourself enough time.
Downsizing takes time. Don’t try to do everything in a single day. Work room by room and repeat the process until you’ve pared items down to what you truly need. Taking your time helps you evaluate possessions more clearly and reduces the chance of costly regrets.
Create a donation plan.
Donating makes it easier to let go. Knowing that items will be used by others gives them new value. If you have a large donation pile, some centers offer pickup services. Donating can also provide emotional relief during a stressful move.
Ask when you last used an item.
Many people keep items they rarely or never use. Be honest: when did you last use this? If it’s been years, consider whether you’ll realistically use it again. For occasional-use items, borrowing, renting, or borrowing from a neighbor can be a better option than storing something permanently.
Eliminate the “maybe” pile.
If you have limited space but hold on to a large “maybe” pile, consider letting it go entirely. Most “maybes” aren’t as valuable to you as you think, and removing them can simplify the downsizing process decisively.
Buy more carefully in the future.
To avoid rebuilding clutter after you downsize, evaluate future purchases carefully. Ask whether you truly need an item, whether borrowing or renting is an option, and where it will be stored. On a boat or in an RV, for example, we now consider weight, size, and storage before buying anything—this discipline prevents unnecessary accumulation.
How large is your house? Have you thought about downsizing?