As you prepare to make the move from a house to an apartment, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed with all of the changes. You are probably wondering how you will adjust to life with less space, but you should keep in mind that there are plenty of perks that come with apartment life. Sure you don’t have your own yard, but you also don’t have the responsibilities that come with yard maintenance. And while you might have less space, you also don’t have the expense of dealing with repairs when things break. Many apartments also come with some great amenities such as a pool and workout facility. So, whether you are downsizing, looking to save money, or you are living in an apartment temporarily, there are definitely some things to consider to make the adjustment smoother. Consider the following tips for a successful transition from a house to an apartment.

Prepare to Downsize

One of the most obvious changes you will encounter when you move from a house to an apartment is less living space. Apartments are designed for efficiency, meaning that you can expect less square footage and less storage space. Here are some things you can do to embrace this change

Sort and Purge

When you move from a house to an apartment, you won’t be needing all of the stuff that you own. This means you will need to go through all of your belongings and let go of any unnecessary items. The task of sorting through everything you own can be overwhelming, so consider using the four-box method.

1. Keep Box- This box is for items that you plan on bringing to your new apartment and that you will use on a regular basis. (i.e. clothing, toiletries, bedding, towels, cookware, decor, etc.)
2. Donate/Sell Box: These are items you no longer need but you don’t want to throw away. You can choose to donate certain items and keep others for a yard sale to earn some extra money.
3. Storage Box: These are items that you want to keep but you don’t necessarily need in your apartment. Part of downsizing might mean renting a storage unit and these items would be suited for storage. This might include things like holiday decorations, sports equipment, lawn equipment, or seasonal clothing.
4. Toss Box: This is a box for items that are broken or damaged.

Once you have parted ways with any unnecessary items, it’s helpful to sort your remaining belongings as you repack. Keep like items together and be sure to label each box so you can easily find what you need.

Rent a Storage Unit

Storage units really come in handy when you are downsizing from a house to an apartment. There are plenty of things you might want to keep such as furniture, lawn equipment, sporting goods, and seasonal items but there won’t be near enough storage space in an apartment. You also need to consider that you won’t have as much closet and cabinet space at your new apartment so this is a good time to pack up any items and prepare them for storage. Storage units offer an affordable means of storing these items until you are ready for them.

Take Measurements

An apartment will certainly be smaller than a house, meaning you need to take the size of your furniture into consideration. That sectional sleeper might need to be traded in for a smaller sofa that better suits the space. Take the time to measure your furniture prior to moving it to your new apartment. You want to set up your furniture in a way that maximizes your space. If you have furniture that no longer fits, take inventory of what you need to buy and make arrangements to either sell your old furniture or put it in a storage unit.

Enjoy Apartment Living

While it might take some getting used to, there are definitely some great perks to apartment living. You can spend less time cleaning and you don’t have to worry about yard maintenance. It’s also not your responsibility if something in the apartment breaks. Apartments also have great perks like a pool, fitness center, and walking trail and they are a great place to meet new people. This is your chance to declutter your life and enjoy the resort-like amenities that many apartment communities offer.