by Julie Sprouse-Verleger

Created on: November 07, 2008   Last Updated: November 23, 2008

The thought comes and goes at first, maybe throughout several years or just for a couple months. Then one day you take a look around your home and finally say out loud. " I do not need all this space, my house is too large for the way I live." It is time to begin in the adventure of downsizing. The simple term "downsize" can spur panic in some or just plain confusion in most. Where do you begin when it is time to move your belongings into a space that is sometimes less then a quarter of the size where you live now? How do you know what will fit in your new home? What do you save, throw away,

donate and sell? On top of it all where do you toss, donate and sell your household goods so that it is quick and easy and not so stressful?

Remember you are not in this alone. When the plans are in motion your realtor, a professional organizer and a good friend can help you through the process. For starters you will need to have a floor plan of your future residence. Whether you are moving to a retirement community or just a smaller residence such as a condo or a town home. These communities usually have a floor plan at hand with general measurements for you to keep as a reference. This will be your guide in choosing the furniture and accessories you will move with you. Next, you will need a pad of paper or a notebook and even a camera walk through your home and write down the items that are you favorite and want to move to your new residence. When selecting these items ask yourself a few questions and be honest. Do I really love this piece? Will it be functional and look in place at my new home? In your notebook divide a piece of paper into 4 columns. On the top of the first column write KEEP in the next column write MAYBE then FRIENDS/FAMILY and finally, DONATE/SELL.

As you walk through your home write a brief description in the appropriate column and it will be useful to have a picture of it also. For example, the coffee table in you living room looks like it will be to big in the sitting room of your new residence according to the floor plan. You know your daughter really likes it so you write, "coffee table in living room is for Jane." In the FRIENDS/FAMILY column in your notebook. Keep in mind that we have not ventured into your closets or storage areas yet. You are just dealing with the furniture and major accessories that are visible when walking through your home. Once this is completed and you have a good idea of the furniture and accessories you want to keep,

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