Downsizing can be both an exciting and daunting task, especially when moving from a spacious home to a cozier space. But with the right mindset and a bit of planning, it can also be a liberating experience.

As a move management company, much of The Move Makers’ work revolves around helping seniors transition from their long-time homes to new living communities. This often means moving from large houses with expansive yards to two-bedroom apartments with galley kitchens.

It’s always a challenge deciding what to take to this new living situation. We may have a book collection which we love, or china place settings from our wedding registry–a wedding that was sixty years ago.

Giving precious things away is not easy, because often there are memories attached. But unless you want to spend money on a storage unit, this just might be the time to take the bull by the horns, with the added benefit of knowing that your children will bless your memory.

I came up with a list of five things to give away that might make a move easier. The majority of them are related to the kitchen!

Many kitchens in senior living communities are compact, and cupboard space may be at a premium. Given the fact that you may not be hosting dinner parties for a dozen, and have lovely cafes and restaurants on your doorstep, think about whittling down the following:

• Tableware
  Speaking as one who has a healthy coffee mug collection, I know the lure of the cup and saucer. Wow, I bought that in Boston in 1988! Or My mother gave that to me when I became a dad! Coffee cups mark the passage of time. They also take up valuable real estate on the shelves. As do plates, bowls, water glasses and wine goblets. You can probably get away with six of each. Before your move, go through your tableware as impartially as you can and mark things for that wonderful estate sale you’re going to have just after you move.
• Pots and Pans
  The same goes for pots and pans and other kitchen gadgets. You may not need a dozen pots of all different sizes. Ask yourself, how often have you used that bread maker or deep fat fryer? If you rarely use it, leave it behind.
• Food Storage containers
  Again, these can take up a lot of space. The reality is you probably only need 2-3, rather than the 25 neatly nested in that cupboard next to the refrigerator.
• Books
  As a writer and reader, this is a tough one for me personally. But bookshelves take up a lot of space and books are heavy. Before your move, go through your book collection and choose the most meaningful. Maybe you still have a copy of a book given to you by your parents when you turned 21? Or a book autographed to you from a favorite author? Keep those, and consign the rest. If you want to reread a classic, there’s a library to patronize.
• Art work
  In your former home, you had many rooms and therefore many walls on which to hang your favorite art. In your new place, this might not be the case. Before you move, measure the new space you’re entering and decide which pieces would hang best there. 

Again, I’m not saying that any of this is easy. If all of this sounds too stressful to contemplate on your own, hire The Move Makers to work with you. But remember that moving gives you the chance to choose the things which are most meaningful to you. And that’s a gift in itself.

Further reading:

The Move Makers: Too Many Mugs

From the NASMM blog: Cleaning Out My Parents’ House Taught Me What’s Enough
‘The Big Clean’ stirred up much emotion and a desire for minimalism. By Lisa B. Samalonis, Next Avenue, October 12, 2023