Finding Freedom in a Smaller, Easier Home

For many homeowners, the decision to downsize isn’t just about moving—it’s about creating a simpler, more manageable lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to reduce maintenance, cut costs, or transition into a home that better fits your needs, downsizing can be a smart and liberating choice. But sorting through years of belongings, making tough decisions, and letting go of sentimental items can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to make the process smoother.

Start Small, Start Now

Even if you’re not ready to move yet, decluttering early can make the transition easier down the road. A great way to begin is by tackling seasonal items—if you didn’t use it last winter, you probably won’t next year. Sell or donate gently used items through Facebook Marketplace, local shelters, or organizations like the Salvation Army. Many towns also offer seasonal bulk pickup for larger pieces.

Keep the Memories, Let Go of the Clutter

Leaving a home filled with memories can be emotional, but downsizing doesn’t mean letting go of those moments. Take photos and videos of special places in your home, or even create a video diary to share with family. Hosting a small gathering before you move can also be a wonderful way to celebrate and say goodbye.

Choose What Matters Most

When space is limited, less is more. Instead of keeping an entire collection, pick a few meaningful pieces that bring you joy. Some collectibles may also hold financial value—consider selling high-value items while donating or gifting others. The goal is to surround yourself with things that truly matter in your next chapter.

Paperwork Purge

Sorting through years of paperwork is no one’s favorite task, but it’s a necessary step in downsizing. Most documents, like tax returns, only need to be kept for seven years, and many records are now digital. Invest in a quality shredder and start clearing out old files—it will lighten your load significantly.

Enlist Help and Pass It On

Sorting through a lifetime of belongings is easier with support. Family members can help organize, and it’s also a great opportunity to pass down treasured items. Kids and grandkids will appreciate receiving keepsakes that carry meaning, and you’ll feel good knowing they are staying in the family.

While the idea of downsizing may feel overwhelming at first, the process can be incredibly freeing. With less upkeep, lower expenses, and a space that suits your needs, you’ll be able to focus more on enjoying life and less on maintaining a home that no longer fits your lifestyle.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Five Ways To Prep For Downsizing

The current real estate boom is motivating enough for many older homeowners to start thinking about putting the family house on the market. While landing a good price for a sale is a great reason, so too is finding a place that’s smaller, simpler, and easier to maintain. That being said, the tough and tedious process of sorting through belongings, selling furniture, and parting with sentimental items is a lot to bear. Here are a few tips to help get the process started. 

Start Now

Even if you’re not yet ready to downsize, it’s a good idea to begin organizing yourself early. Seasonal changes are a fantastic time to start getting rid of clothing and equipment that never make it out of the closet. Pretty soon it will be spring, so take stock of what you didn’t use in the winter. Facebook Marketplace is a great way to make a few extra dollars on gently used goods or consider your local shelter or Salvation Army for donations. 

Take Photos

Leaving a house can be difficult, especially if it’s one that you’ve raised your family in. Be sure to take photos and videos of the various places where memories were made and invite family and friends over for intimate gatherings. After the house is gone, you’ll appreciate reminiscing and remembering the good times through pictures. A video diary is a fun thing to share with the kids and grandkids too. 

Choose Your Favorites

Collections are always very hard to part with so pick a few favorites and let the rest go. Some collections, such as shot glasses, have plenty of sentimentalities but not much monetary value. Other collections can be worth a pretty penny once you’re ready to move them on. Either way, downsizing into a smaller space is the perfect time to get rid of some of the things you’ve been holding onto for a long time. 

Paperwork Purge

This is one of the worst tasks but it’s a must for many downsizers. So many of us hold onto paperwork for too long, only to get completely overwhelmed and bogged down with it years later. Things that might seem worth keeping such as tax returns only need to be filed for seven years, if that. Most of our accounts and records are kept online anyway, so there is really little need to have hard copies of anything. Invest in a good shredder and start pushing that paper.

Get Help

Downsizing is tough to do alone, so enlist your children to help with the sorting and organizing. If you’re the sentimental type, it’s also a good opportunity to pass treasures onto family members. Kids and grandkids will enjoy having special momentos that mean something to both you and them and it will feel wonderful passing on those treasures. While it can all seem overwhelming at first, the process will actually become freeing as you move into a new phase of your life.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Downsizing During a Record-Breaking Real Estate Market

I read an article last week that said the local real estate market is riding a 15-year high as urbanites look to flee the city and work-from-home folks need more space. 

Selling the family home for a smaller house or apartment is a popular consideration as we age. As much pleasure as a larger property can offer, it’s also a lot to clean and maintain on a regular basis. Many baby boomers agree. According to a survey by real estate company Zillow, almost 50 percent of boomers who sold homes were in the process of downsizing. So how should you tackle the tough and tedious process of deciding what stays and what will go? Here are a few tips to take into consideration.

Start Now

Even if you’re not yet ready to downsize, it’s a good idea to begin organizing yourself early. Seasonal changes are a fantastic time to start getting rid of clothing and equipment that never make it out of the closet. Pretty soon it will be spring, so take stock of what you didn’t use in the winter. Facebook Marketplace is a great way to make a few extra dollars on gently used goods or consider your local shelter or Salvation Army for donations. 

Take Photos

Leaving a house can be difficult, especially if it’s one that you’ve raised your family in. Be sure to take photos and videos of the various places where memories were made. After the house is gone, you’ll appreciate reminiscing and remembering the good times through pictures. A video diary is a fun thing to share with the kids too. 

Choose Your Favorites

Collections are always very hard to part with. My best tip is to pick a few favorites and let the rest go. Some collections have plenty of sentimentalities but not much monetary value. Other collections can be worth a pretty penny once you’re ready to part with it. Either way, downsizing into a smaller space is the perfect time to get rid of some of the things you’ve been holding onto for a long time. 

Paperwork Purge

This is one of the worst tasks but it’s a must for many downsizers. So many of us hold onto paperwork for too long, only to get completely overwhelmed and bogged down with it years later. Things that might seem worth keeping such as tax returns only need to be filed for seven years if that. Most of our accounts and records are kept online anyway, so there is really little need to have hard copies of anything. Invest in a good shredder and start pushing that paper.

Get Help

Downsizing is tough to do alone, so enlist your children to help with the sorting and organizing. If you’re the sentimental type, it’s also a good opportunity to pass treasures onto family members. I also advise having someone close by if you’re tackling the more difficult parts of the home such as attics and storage spaces as they can be quite warm, stuffy, and harder to navigate. Don’t take on any of these projects if you’re home alone. 

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.