5 ways to make your downsizing experience easier

If you’re considering a switch to a smaller, more manageable home, you’re in good company. A recent survey shows more than half of Australians aged 55+ are currently interested in downsizing.

It’s not just for empty nesters looking to sell the family home, but for anyone looking to free up funds, live more efficiently, reduce cleaning time and utility bills, or simply declutter their life à la Marie Kondo.

If you’re considering a change, there are some tried and tested ways to help ease the transition.

Starts at 60 have partnered with award-winning home builder Metricon (who have a range of home designs and house and land packages created with downsizing in mind) to share the best ways you can make the downsizing experience easier — starting today.

1. Start your decluttering journey as soon as possible

If you’re considering downsizing, even as a distant possibility, there’s no time like the present to start decluttering.

No matter how tidy and organised you think you are, it’s easy to underestimate just how much clutter you’ve accumulated over the years, hidden away in every nook and cranny.

Begin your decluttering journey as soon as possible, even if it’s just one wardrobe at a time. This gradual approach allows you to carefully consider what to keep and what to let go of, reducing the risk of rushed decisions and regrets down the track.

Starting early will also give you the time and space to sell unwanted belongings online, or via a garage sale, for a little extra boost of cash.

2. Try the “three pile” strategy

Create three distinct piles: definite “keepers”, possible “maybes”, and clear “no-ways”.

The “maybe” pile will likely have items that hold sentimental value, or which only see occasional use. A good rule of thumb: if you haven’t used an item in over a year, it might be time to part with it.

Be ruthless, particularly when you have multiple items that serve the same purpose. Do you really need three whisks in your kitchen?

If you’re packing far enough ahead, you may wish to keep it in a “donation” box for a few months and see if you genuinely miss it.

3. Set up your new home bit by bit

If you have the opportunity to access your new, smaller home ahead of time, take advantage of this by gradually building your new living environment.

As you transfer items, you can experiment with placement and arrangement, getting a real-time sense of what fits and what feels out of place.

This iterative process allows you to see what truly works in your new space and what doesn’t, facilitating those tougher decisions about what to keep.

4. Accept that it can be an emotional process

Moving on from a well-loved home is never easy, especially if it’s tied to priceless family memories.

It’s all too easy to forget the emotional toll this can take. When scheduling your move, be sure to give yourself the time and space to process this — and permission to be a little bit sad from time to time — before you can fully embrace the excitement of a new home.

5. Let the experts do the heavy lifting

With Metricon’s modern, affordable, downsizer-friendly homes, you can save yourself an enormous amount of stress and guesswork on your downsizing journey.

By partnering with leading land developers, Metricon helps you secure prime locations in the most sought-after estates, paired with the perfect home design to make the most of your space.

And downsizing doesn’t mean compromising on comfort! Metricon’s designs are cleverly crafted to feel spacious and versatile. Dreaming of a dedicated craft room, a home theatre, or a peaceful workspace? Now’s your chance to create a home tailored to your unique lifestyle.

If downsizing is on your horizon, reach out to Metricon today. Enquire online or call 1300 786 773 to connect with their experienced team, who will guide you in finding the perfect home design for your current block or a tailored home and land package in a prime location.