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Many homeowners looking for a change in lifestyle consider the purchase of an apartment or condominium. With many homeowners wanting to scale down to a condo way of life, it is important to know how to make the most of your new home and new space.

With careful planning and creativity, downsizing can be a manageable process that can improve your quality of life.

The first step is to sort all your belongings into three groups: what you use, what you rarely use, and what you never use. This way you can remove items you never use, and put rarely used items in a box that can go into storage.

Here are some tips to help you scale down if you are moving from a larger home or want to create a more minimalist look in your apartment or condominium.

Sell it: With the good weather upon us, it is time to have a garage sale. This is a great way to get rid of all your unwanted items and make some money for your new place at the same time. If you are moving from a house into an apartment, you can get rid of outdoor items such as lawn furniture and large gardening tools that you may not be using.

Donate: Consider donating some of your unused or unwanted items to local charities and shelters. This will free up some of your clutter while assisting someone who may need extra clothing, books or furniture.

Multi-functional: Apartment living will require you get creative with your storage options. This is where you must look at using places such as corners, ceilings, and overlooked nooks. Make storage space above kitchen cabinets and connect two cabinets with a shelf. Use storage bins and other unused containers to hold needed items. Use some of your décor pieces as places of storage such as cabinets or a decorative trunk. If you have bay windows, consider adding window seats with built-in storage underneath.

Prioritize: What do you need and what do you want from your home? Do you use your kitchen for creating gourmet dinners, or do you spend most of your time working on your computer? Whatever your answer, prioritizing your needs will help you maximize your space.

Think simple: Add simple pieces of furniture to your new home. Keep the look of the furniture clean and basic. Remember that not all your furniture has to be used in your new place. Put in the minimal amount of furniture you think you’ll need. You may be surprised how open and spacious your apartment or condominium will feel.

By making these changes you will feel inspired and free from the clutter or wasted items that may have weighed you down before. By prioritizing your home items and being innovative with your use of space, your home will feel like a fresh start.