by Kimberley Heit

Created on: October 20, 2008   Last Updated: December 28, 2008

The prospect of downsizing your home may seem like a rather scary undertaking. You might have images of living in a sardine can with your possessions piled up to the roof, or spilling out onto the front lawn. Rest assured that if you have a good plan downsizing can be a very rewarding experience. A smaller home represents cheaper energy bills and less cleaning!

The following is an 8 Step plan for successful downsizing:

1. What do you require?

Before making any new commitments like putting your current home on the market, give a lot of consideration to how you want to live. Take a good hard look at what parts of your current home you enjoy using. Many people today get caught up in having x amount of bedrooms and bathrooms and formal and casual lounge and dining rooms. In reality they often only end up living in a few of the rooms. Write yourself a list of must haves in a home and like to haves. This will guide you in making the right choice when selecting a new home. For example, if you like privacy and want a yard a smaller house may be suitable, but if you want to have no yard work and like the idea of a balcony then an apartment might be the way to go.

2. Clean out

Long before you move into a smaller home downsize on the junk you have accumulated. Over the years we amass many possessions that we don't use, need or even really like. Be ruthless and if an item doesn't have a purpose or bring you any joy then throw it out, donate, or sell it. Cleaning out before moving also makes for a lot cheaper moving bill!

3. Think Smart when it comes to storage

Clever storage solutions are the key to achieving harmony in a small home. There are numerous stores offering a multitude of products which help you store your possessions neatly. There are under bed storage systems, over door hangers, over toilet shelves, sofa beds with built in storage compartments and many more options. If you are buying a new home consider having some clever storage options installed like floor to ceiling shelving or cupboards in unused corners. The idea is to use the space you have to the fullest.

4. Do a furniture stock take

Trying to cram all your current furnishings into a smaller home will only make it look cluttered. You need to work out what pieces will work and what pieces you should sell or give away. Get a copy of your new floor plan and think this through. Perhaps it's time for a complete overhaul. If you are going for a smaller, more modern place you might like to choose more of a minimalist

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