Recently, I have worked with two clients who had fully furnished homes, and needed to downsize considerably in order to move in with a relative.
Because there is a lot of emotion involved in downsizing and moving, it was very difficult to make decisions based on facts and space available. I began by looking at each person’s space. I spent time asking questions and observing behavior in order to get to know the personalities and lifestyles of each family.
There needs to be a good deal of discussion up front in order to set ground rules and boundaries. I broke down the homes into categories: entertainment, linens, pantry, pots and pans, tools and books, etc. For example, how much room will there be for kitchen items? Once you know the limitations or boundaries, both parties can start to purge in order to limit themselves to the space available.
Your conversation could go something like this:
Bill: “I have five wooden spoons. Do you have any?” Mary: “Yes, I have one that is cracked and burned from the time I left it in the pot.” Decision: Keep three wooden spoons to move over to Mary’s, and Mary tosses her cracked and burned spoon.
Bill: “I have three hammers that are perfectly good.” Mary, “I have three hammers, which are perfectly good.” Decision: Donate three hammers.
The reality is perfectly good items are going to need to be sold or donated. If you can agree which items are in the best shape, keep those if you have the space.
Combining households is a great time to simplify, and to get rid of things you don’t use. It is very helpful in these situations to call in a professional organizer to help prioritize, set boundaries, find space and blend both households together.
Nancy Nemitz owns Create the Space Professional Organizing, located in Mesa. Visit the Web site at www.createthespace.com. You also can call (480) 223-8939. In addition to working with clients, she has been featured on TLC’s Hoarding: Buried Alive, Arizona Morning on Fox 10 and Phoenix magazine. In addition, Nancy teaches a non-credit evening organizing class at Mesa Community College.