If you are an older person or couple looking to maintain your independence but be closer to your children, downsizing to a granny flat on their section is a great way to achieve this.
A self-contained transportable unit allows both you and your family to have their own spaces while being close at hand to share experiences and if anything happens and you need assistance.
The one drawback of downsizing to a smaller property is that you may not have space for all the things you have collected over the years. So before you move you will probably need to spend some time going through your stuff.
How to declutter when you are downsizing to a granny flat
Get rid of the big stuff first
When you are downsizing there might be obvious things that you need to get rid of or swap. For example, you might be reducing the number of bedrooms you have and so will not need all your bedroom furniture or you might need a smaller dining table. Getting rid of items like this is often an easier way to start your downsizing.
Take your time
If you know you are planning to move then start decluttering early so you don’t have to do things in a rush. Tackle one room at a time or one type of item at a time. Start with rooms like the garage or storage areas where you might have things
Don’t think too hard
Sometimes making snap decisions is the best option. If you think too hard about whether to keep something you may talk yourself into it. Ask practical questions like when was the last time you used the item or whether it is still fit for purpose.
Do something practical with your items
Instead of just throwing things away, do something practical with them. You could hold a garage sale and put the money towards something for your new home or for a fun activity. Or consider donating the items to charity so that others can benefit from them.
Ask for help
If you are struggling to get rid of some of your items think about asking for help. This could be from family or friends or even a professional. There are companies who will help you work through your home. They will help you to decide what to keep, especially with hard sentimental items.
Unit2Go has a range of transportable units perfect for people looking to downsize
Unt2Go are granny flat specialists and our one and two-bedroom transportable cabins are just right for individuals or couples who are downsizing to a granny flat.
All our units are weathertight and fully insulated as well as having carpet. They can be connected to power supplies, water and waste to make them fully self-contained.
If you don’t want to commit to buying a unit outright we also offer competitively priced rental options. Contact us to discuss your plans.