Room-by-Room Downsizing Checklist

Room-by-Room Downsizing Checklist

Prepared with House In Around · Mary Brooks Green, Realtor & Senior Living Advocate

A gentle way to sort: for each item, decide on one of four homes for it. Keep what you truly use and love. Pass on what a family member would treasure. Donate or sell what is still good. Let go of the rest. Tackle one room per session, and stop before you are tired.

Kitchen

• Keep one good set of everyday dishes, pots, and utensils
• Sort small appliances, and keep only the ones used monthly
• Clear duplicate gadgets, mismatched containers, and old spices
• Set aside special serving pieces for family

Living and family rooms

• Measure favorite furniture against the new floor plan
• Choose the books, music, and films that still bring joy
• Pick the photos and keepsakes that matter most
• Note items promised or meaningful to specific family members

Bedrooms

• Sort clothing by what fits and is worn now
• Keep bedding that suits the new space
• Gather jewelry and valuables in one safe place

Bathrooms and linens

• Keep a sensible number of towels and sheet sets
• Clear expired medicines and old toiletries

Garage, basement, and storage

• Open every box: keep, pass on, donate, or let go
• Sort tools and seasonal items down to what will be used
• Arrange removal of anything large or unwanted early

Important papers

• Gather IDs, financial, legal, and medical documents
• Keep these with you on moving day, not on the truck
• Shred old paperwork that is no longer needed

Notes