We’re in an age where tiny houses are a hot commodity, and people are moving away from sprawling estates in favor of smaller, more manageable homes. If you’ve been considering downsizing lately, it might be because your children are off in college or have moved onto their own personal apartments and taken off on their professional careers. Perhaps it’s a desire to make life simpler, to get rid of space you don’t use and material possessions you don’t need. Whatever your reasoning, making the decision to move into a smaller space can have a huge impact on your everyday life.

Determining when to downsize can become a prickly situation for many homeowners. We often don’t realize how much of our identity is wrapped up in our homes, but it should come as no surprise; many of us have been working for the American Dream all our lives, to own an impressive home and have a place to call ours. Some put off downsizing in the case that their adult children need to move back in after college (a tough job market and pricy rentals has made this more the norm than the exception). If you’ve decided to take the plunge, keep these downsizing tips in mind to make the process inexpensive and stress-free.

Choosing a New Space

As you begin searching for a new space, you might find you have trouble selecting a house that’s as small as you expected. If your aim is simplification, it’s a good idea to steer towards attached homes or multiunit options, as you’ll have less to handle, due to a landlord or Homeowner’s Associations assistance. Perhaps you’re looking for less yardwork; make sure you don’t choose a smaller home that still boasts a sprawling lawn. Many people who choose to downsize elect to rent instead of buy. This means being responsible for one check each month, and this simplified financial aspect can be extremely appealing to those looking to destress their lives.

There are things to be aware of though as you switch from homeowner to renter: the rental market is saturated, so you may find it hard to secure the right place. There are many rental scams out there, so protect yourself and your personal information by requesting the landlord use a third party screening service like www.mysmartmove.com. Finally, be sure you don’t fall for a place that you can’t afford. Make sure you budget properly and don’t even look at homes or apartments that are out of your price range, even if the amenities are rather appealing.

Downsizing Your Possessions

Moving into a place with less square footage means parting ways with furniture, décor, and household items that you no longer have space for. You’ll need to do a thorough inventory of your possessions, deciding what you simply can’t live without, and the things that you can bare to part with. You’ll likely be shocked at the amount of material items you’ve been holding onto. It’s easy for us to build up huge collections of stuff we simply don’t need

Your Furniture Needs

One of the biggest projects to tackle in a downsizing move is what to do with old furniture and how to select new pieces. Your sectional sofa might not fit in the new living room in your smaller home, so you’ll need to find a way to get rid of it without losing out on your investment. Check out a selling service like MoveLoot.com to quickly and easily sell your excess inventory to make your move cheaper.

Keeping Clutter Contained

You’ll need to be strategic with smart home storage solutions in your new space to ensure your possessions don’t look cluttered and make your home feel claustrophobic. Find furniture with hidden storage space, check out shelving options that can keep your floors clear, and focus on modern décor to give your new home that clean, simplistic look.

Whether your kids have finally flown the coop or you’ve decided that simplification is in order for your life to ease stress, downsizing can have a major beneficial impact. Keep these tips in mind as you begin the downsizing process and live your best life in a new, improved, and smaller space.