Whether you are looking to downsize, follow a minimalist lifestyle, or just to save costs, moving into a smaller apartment while living in Brooklyn can feel smart and stressful at the same time. Achieving your budgetary or lifestyle goals is a thrill, but it’s also easy to underestimate just how quickly space fills up once furniture, boxes, and everyday essentials are inside. In a smaller place, it’s important to use every inch of space you can, and there may not be room for everything you own. While decluttering and removing unused items is a great way to solve this problem, there may be some things you want to hang onto even if you rarely use them.
This is where a storage unit can be really useful. By keeping some items in storage and rotating them seasonally, you can hang onto your belongings while still being able to create a home that feels functional and calm.
Decluttering Before Packing
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed during a move, as you try to get everything in the right place and on schedule. As the pressure builds, it can be easy to throw unused items into a box to deal with later. To prevent this, sort your belongings before you even begin packing up. A good rule of thumb is to organize items by room, so they’re easy to identify. Label each of your boxes with the room and the contents of the box for an easier moving and unpacking experience. A great practice is to decide whether you’ll keep, donate, or sell the items you have before you start packing up.
Using Storage for Seasonal and Bulky Items
Not everything needs to be in your apartment year-round. Seasonal items like winter coats and holiday decor, or bulky items like sports/workout equipment or luggage, can easily be stored away in a storage unit to make extra room in your apartment. It can be hard to know what facility to choose, so be sure to take your time to find one with flexible storage and accessibility options so you can easily rotate your items when you need to. You can also look online to find other renters who rely on quality storage units in Brooklyn to keep seasonal belongings accessible without overcrowding their apartments and compare to find the best one that fits your needs.
If you aren’t sure what would be a good fit for your storage unit, here are some ideas for items that many people choose to store:
- Seasonal clothing
- Sports gear
- Extra furniture
- Business inventory
- College supplies
See also: Why Every Business Needs a Reliable Commercial Emergency Plumber
Organizing Habits That Prevent Clutter
Without an organizational plan in place, clutter can easily build up in a hurry in smaller spaces. Simple habits like rotating clothes seasonally in a storage unit, labelling containers, using under-bed storage, and getting rid of duplicate household items can make a huge difference when downsizing apartments. If this is your first time living in an apartment, planning where furniture will go and organizing storage around it can help you have a place to start when creating an organizational layout.
If you are looking for additional space-saving tips for your apartment, here are some of our favorites:
- Use vertical shelving
- Store items under the bed
- Add hooks behind doors
- Use collapsible containers
- Choose dual-purpose furniture
- Keep countertops clear
Making the Transition Less Stressful
Downsizing doesn’t have to feel restrictive. With thoughtful organization and outside storage support, smaller apartments can feel comfortable and efficient instead of cramped. In order to avoid overcrowding your apartment once you finally arrive, be sure to visit a nearby storage facility before you move and let yourself have a stress-free homecoming.
