Did you know most people only wear 20% of the clothes they own 80% of the time? Keep this factoid in mind as we talk about tips for downsizing from a house to an apartment. No matter why you’re downsizing, the transition can seem daunting without these quick tips.
1. Determine What You Already Have
Once you’ve figured out exactly how much square footage you have in your new apartment, you can tackle the task of sorting through what you already have and then choosing what items are moving with you and what items are not.
2. Organize Your Belongings
It’s important to prioritize in the early phases of downsizing. Identify the most important items you have which will most likely be key furniture such as your bed, sofas, dining table, bedside tables, and chairs. Start planning out where you will put these items first as they are the most important. Then you can begin to plan around with decor or smaller items.
3. Consider Lifestyle Changes
Getting into the mindset of your new life will be extremely helpful to your downsize project. Consider how your everyday activities will change in your new surroundings. For example, according to a long distance moving company in Dallas, if you are moving to a city without good public transportation, you need to restructure your budget to allow more spending on gas.
Think about your lifestyle changes as you go through your possessions and determine which ones make the cut, and which ones are better left behind. Consider things that may be useful to you now but won’t be useful in an apartment and a different environment.
4. Choose Your Supplies Wisely
As you start packing, it may be helpful to designate boxes: items you’re taking with you, items you’re giving away, items you’re putting in storage, items you’re throwing away. Remember, long-term storage can be expensive, so if there are items you don’t want to get rid of but don’t have space for (like a piano, for instance) ask a friend or family member to store those for you.
5. Deciding What to Give Away vs. Keep
Many people find it hard to discard their belongings even if they haven’t used them in a long time. While there is no getting around the sentimental value an item might have you should ask yourself two important questions when sifting through your things. One: how useful is it? And two: does it have aesthetic value?
Remember the stat we threw at you in the beginning of this post? Your downsize project may seem intimidating but the fact is most of the items we accumulate in our homes are not particularly useful. While you won’t want to bring a rarely used kitchen mixer, you may want to bring a rarely read book. Why? Because books are great accent pieces that can add aesthetic appeal without breaking the budget.
6. Declutter Your Life
Making the most use of your available space will be very important when downsizing. For many, this means minimizing clutter. No matter how organized you are, we all have clutter and moving is the perfect time to declutter your life.
One helpful hint for minimizing clutter is using wirelessly connected devices like printers and laptops so you don’t have a bunch of wires creating an eyesore in your new place. Plus, if you’re relocating to a new office, you may consider bringing some home items to your new space (i.e. small plants, notepads, etc.) Also, utilize the space under your bed and behind your doors (door-mounted shoe racks and underbed storage are great sources of organization).
A Great Opportunity
In reality, downsizing is a great opportunity to simplify, de-stress and reprioritize your life. It’s a chance to reinvent yourself and your living space. So we hope this post has given you a positive perspective of the whole ordeal. Ready, Set, Go!
Guest blog by North Dallas Moving and Storage
Create a cozy apartment with these three tips:
Basket & Blanket from Hobby Lobby
Always a Deal Throw Pillows from World Market
Bonus tip: Next time you’re at the dollar store, grab a box of flameless, battery-powered candles. Sprinkling these throughout your apartment will create an ambiance of peace and quiet. 
To snag one more bonus tip, head to our Instagram Story!
Looking for an apartment you’ll fall in love with? We can help! Just click here.
Here are four pawsome tips to help your cats cozy up to their new apartment.
By cleaning the tops of bookshelves or setting up small cat posts around your apartment, your cat has room to perch and move. This gives them a great view of your space and even outside!
Scratching posts are sure to be loved by your kitty! Scratching allows them to stretch and flex their paws. Grabbing a small scratching post from your local pet store will reduce unwanted scratches throughout your home. Keep your place and feline friend happy. The Humane Society goes in depth about the benefits of having a scratching post.
HomeDepot.com
Set aside some time for you and your cat for playtime, where both of you can play together either with a string toy or a laser pointer. This helps with bonding and gives your kitty some needed exercise. Cats also love to play on their own so by grabbing little balls of yarn or smaller toys, they can play with themselves when you are busy.
You can’t be there for your cat all day every day so they can get sad without you. Help calm their separation anxiety with lavender and chamomile diffusers. Check out Chewy’s cat-friendly diffuser to create a calm environment for your cat and yourself!
Chewy.com
Keep your cat and apartment happy with these little tricks. Are you and your feline friend looking for a new home? Find your new place at any of our pet-friendly apartments today!
In case you didn’t know, home decor stores everywhere are offering incredible Labor Day sales starting today! To save you time and money, we rounded up the best deals we could find.
First, the Pier 1 in Elmwood Shopping Center is closing! That means the entire store is on sale with deals ranging from 20%-75% off! We already snagged the accent pieces of our dreams.
Next, hit the bullseye at everyone’s favorite place on Earth: Target. With 25% off home decor items, you can get what you want for less! Our personal obsession right now: throw pillows. Target has some of the trendiest throws for prices you’ll want to tell your friends about.
Cotton Textured with Tassels Square Throw Pillow – Opalhouse™ by Target
For a savings overload, head to Overstock.com. They’ve got multiple sales happening right now including the Labor Day Blowout Sale (extra 20% off products), the One Big Rug Sale (extra 25% off area rugs), and best of all the Fall Preview Event Sale (up to 70% off items)!
nuLOOM Grey/Black Southwestern Flatweave Hand-woven Wool Ikat Tassel Area Rug by Overstock
Our next furniture giant, Wayfair, has a click-worthy sale going on! The Fresh Start Sale has all things from back-to-school to bedding to storage and appliances.
Rooms To Go has a Pre-Labor Day Sofa Sale happening right now: all sofas are on sale! It doesn’t get better than that. With brand new couches starting at $425, you just found the perfect excuse to finally get a new sofa. Head to the local Rooms to Go on Veterans Blvd. for more in-store deals!
Sofia Vergara Pacific Palisades Emerald Plush Sofa by Rooms to Go
Happy bargain hunting, friends!
Need an apartment for all these great furniture finds? Visit 1stlake.com to find your perfect place.
Redecorating your space? We’ve got the perfect guide to snag some used furniture in New Orleans at a price that will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside.
These five second-hand stores in New Orleans have some of the best reduced-cost, quality inventory around. They’re perfect for a DIY-style approach to apartment decor!
House Stuff: House Stuff is a boutique consignment store full of used furnishings, from living area furniture to accent pieces. Located at 3939 Toulouse St., House Stuff is a store owned by Flora Shaughnessy that pays homage to “well-designed, solid wood craftsmanship.” If you’re looking for used mid-century modern furniture, this is the place to start.
Junk’s Above: This Mid City spot has some of the best used furniture in New Orleans if you’re looking for funky, vintage finds to decorate your apartment.
Plus they’ve got plenty of tchotchkes that add some retro flair to your place!
Bridge House Thrift Store: Bridge House is a remarkable New Orleans institution that primarily offers individuals seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction the time and structure needed to begin a new life. They also happen to have two thrift stores featuring a wonderful rotation of home furnishings for a bargain.
You’ll find their locations at 4243 Earhart Blvd. and 7901 Airline Drive.
Floor 13, formerly Canal Furniture Liquidators is another great spot for furniture finds. In their own words, they “buy and sell pre-loved furniture.” Find them at 400 Jefferson Hwy.
Seasoned: Seasoned’s inventory is a bit more specific than the rest of our list, as it only sells second-hand kitchen items. They’re on the pricier side, but this store is just too cool for us to pass up.
Seasoned sells vintage cookware, both online and at their brick & mortar location at 3824 Dryades Street. If you’re looking for the coolest cookware in the city, Seasoned is your spot to shop.
Click here to find more furniture stores in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
Check out our website to find a 1st Lake residential community near you!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
