Downsizing for Retirees: Now is the Perfect Time to Start
November 19, 2024 | Family Life
There are a variety of reasons we downsize. These include traveling abroad, going back to school, and combining households to name just a few. But downsizing for retirees is oftentimes a bigger life transition. This is due to collecting a lifetime of possessions including furniture, photos, artwork, and more. While growing families need larger homes, empty nesters can find smaller homes more attractive. Moving to a smaller house or townhome requiring less weekly maintenance and yard care can leave more time for things like weekend getaways and traveling abroad.
Moreover, there are many upsides to downsizing, like moving closer to family members or downsizing to a home where you can enjoy your favorite outdoor activities year round. When it comes time to take your life in a new direction during your retirement years, the storage team at Metro Self Storage understands and is here to help with friendly and flexible storage solutions.
The Benefits of Downsizing for Retirees
The benefits of downsizing include reduced headaches associated with managing the costly upkeep of a home. Especially if you live in an older house that may need a new roof or extensive repairs. Larger and older homes are more expensive to heat and cool too. And, while house cleaning, yard maintenance, and removing leaves from the gutters annually might have been on your to-do-lists for decades, it may be time to delegate those to professionals, which is also an added expense.
Aging in place is usually the preferred route for retirees but for the adventurous, downsizing to a maintenance-free home early in retirement can be a time to live simply and travel more. Even with all of the benefits, there’s no denying that with downsizing comes the task of minimizing. For many people, reducing their life-long possessions is a challenging concept making it difficult to let go of sentimental belongings and miscellaneous possessions.
Should Retirees Downsize During Winter?
Winter is a great time for downsizing because it’s naturally a season of staying indoors, reflecting, and preparing for new beginnings. As activities slow down, retirees can focus on organizing their lives and making decisions without the distractions of warmer weather. Seniors and retirees transitioning into smaller homes often find downsizing in winter a great time to start the process—spring market provides fresh opportunities for selling their homes as well as buying smaller properties.
How Affordable Self Storage Helps Retirees Downsize
When it’s time to move into a smaller home, remember—you’re not alone. Downsizing belongings is a common experience for many older adults, though each person’s reasons are unique. This transition often stirs up a mix of emotions, and it’s natural to feel anything from happiness and relief to sadness and grief. Embrace these feelings, but keep focusing on the positive aspects of downsizing, especially if the move supports a healthier and more fulfilling lifestyle.
Staying organized will help immensely too. Sort all of your items into one of four categories—to sell, to donate, to recycle, to give to family. Use color-coded stickies to categorize furniture and other heavy items. It’s also important to identify what Heirlooms mean in your family.
Some retirees may have extensive collections and high-value possessions, while others have a few things that hold sentimental and financial value. Either way, consider passing down heirlooms that are too large for your new home to family members. Alternatively, you can safely store these items for future generations who will one day appreciate them as much as you.
And don’t forget to take photos of the items you discover are hard to part but you no longer need. Even though something holds a place in your heart it doesn’t mean it belongs in your home. Create a photo journal for those items that you feel a strong attachment to or are associated with a special memory.
Making Your New Living Space Feel Like Home
Even though you’ll be downsizing to a smaller space, it will be an opportunity to personalize and create a cozy, functional environment. Choosing the right furniture is key. Look for multifunctional pieces, like a coffee table with storage compartments or a sofa bed for visiting family. Take advantage of vertical space with tall bookshelves or wall-mounted planters that draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of a higher ceiling. Adding mirrors strategically can also help expand the space visually by reflecting light, making the room feel more open.
White interior walls are the trend in new homes and are easy to accent with furniture, pillows, and curtains. Soft blues or greens are ideal for relaxation spots like a bedroom, evoking calmness and serenity. Consider adding a yellow or red vase to the kitchen table in the dining area to bring energy and warmth.
With the right choices, you can create a smaller space that is both functional and uniquely yours, bringing comfort and joy in this new chapter.
Simplify Your Downsizing Project with Metro Self Storage
Since 1973, Metro Self Storage has supported countless families through life’s transitions, earning a reputation as one of the nation’s most trusted storage providers. Our caring and knowledgeable property managers are here to guide you in finding storage solutions that fit your needs during this new chapter.
Whether you’re moving to a smaller space or just looking to clear out extra items, a conveniently located storage solution offers a secure way to keep treasured belongings close and accessible. With nearby storage, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing your cherished items are safely stored and readily available whenever you need them.Reach out to Metro Self Storage today to learn about our flexible storage options designed to support your downsizing journey.
