The start of every new year means new beginnings. From revitalizing your home to give it a fresh look to giving yourself more breathing room by simply getting things out of the way, downsizing your space can help you achieve bliss. Here at Safeguard Self Storage, we can show you how living with less can lead to more, including eliminating waste especially in the already crowded neighborhood of East Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

A More Popular Solution

According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) the average size of new houses fell for the third straight year in 2018. The average square footage of a single-family home has dropped from over 2,500 square feet in 2015 down to 2,320 in 2018. Furthermore, most New Yorkers live in spaces much smaller than that (as anyone who has ever lived in a tiny studio understands).

Combine this with the trend that Marie Kondo and others have popularized—a trend towards minimal living and cleanliness—and it's the perfect storm for downsizing to become popular. As a result, if downsizing sounds like something you want to do, you won't be the only one. You'll have plenty of help and advice in achieving your downsizing dream.

Of course, a smaller space means less work to work with, and you can't keep everything you had in your previous home. That's where self storage comes in.

Assess Your Needs

When downsizing, you should always take a moment and figure out what you actually need and what you can get rid of. It's a task that is easier said than done, though. It's easy to not want to get rid of anything, even if it's probably the most meaningless item in the house. Try not to fall into the trap of "I might need this later," which, let's be honest, can be applied to almost everything. 

If you're having difficulty making decisions on certain items, ask a third party—like a friend or family member—to help you decide if you need an item or if you're unreasonably attached to it (we've all been there). They'll ask how often you use the item, when the last time you used the item was, and why you've been keeping it around if you haven't.

Less is More

There are plenty of benefits to downsizing. A smaller home is both less expensive to purchase as well as less expensive to heat and cool. That extra money can go towards upgrading your new home the way you want it or towards a larger storage unit.

Another benefit? More free time! With a smaller home, you will spend less time with everyday tasks around your house. In addition, less space almost means less of a reason to buy things you don't need, giving secondary savings. If you don't have anywhere to put it you're less likely to buy it.

Downsize With Safeguard

Downsizing is a popular way to save money and simplify your life for a reason. No longer is it seen as a step down in society, but instead as a more efficient way to live. You can't keep everything, but for the things you need to keep but don't have room for in East Williamsburg, reserve a storage unit at Safeguard Self Storage in Brooklyn, NY, to keep your belongings safe. 

It's liberating, but it can be a big job. You're excited, but you aren't sure where to start. Your plans include making the move from your current home to something smaller in Mountainside, NJ. With nearby self-storage and a little pre-planning, retirement downsizing is easy to manage and simple to maintain.

You've Made a Great Choice

Mountainside, NJ earns its place on the short list of great retirement areas for so many reasons. You’ll enjoy classic suburban living, tree-lined streets and some of the friendliest neighbors in the Garden State. It's an excellent location for downsizing because the area offers a wide range of housing options and plenty of affordable storage units. Whether you're relocating from outside Union County or transitioning from a larger home, here in the borough, life is good just east of the Watchung Reservation.

You Need an Easy Plan

 Downsizing your way into this lovely community means making decisions about a lifetime of personal belongings. From furniture to holiday decorations, you’ll have to figure out what to do with everything. Successful moves always start with a plan, so consider these simple downsizing strategies:

• Take care of arrangements for leasing a storage unit before you start relocating. This gives you space to transition more easily from the old address to your new home.
• Get things done more efficiently by taking inventory, one room at a time. Compare square-footage differences between old and new living spaces.
• Be honest about what you want to take with you, and turn the rest into cash. Gently used items and furnishings that won't be moving with you will move at a weekend garage sale.
• Belongings with higher resale values often find new homes through upscale consignment shops. Check with different outlets and antique stores in the Mountain Avenue retail district.
• Talk to local charities about their needs, and match their list to things that you need to part with. When you know your donations are helping someone else, letting go becomes a little easier.

Self Storage Keeps Downsizing Simple

 Downsizing doesn't mean giving up everything, and that's where a storage unit fits into your retirement plans. Keep sentimental treasures, seasonal items and extra bedding in a temperature-controlled unit. Park bikes -- for riding around Echo Lake Park -- next to fishing gear, saved for afternoons on Lake Surprise. Our Mountainside location offers 24 hour digitally recorded video surveillance, individually alarmed storage units and easy-to-use online account management. The extended access hours also provides extra time for you to access everything in your storage unit at your convenience.

It's All Yours Now

This northern slice of the Garden State offers so much, and it's all yours when you retire in Mountainside, NJ. Our Safeguard Self Storage family extends a warm hello and an invitation to visit our local facilities. Welcome to the neighborhood. We know you're going to love downsizing here.