Here are some tips on how to find a new home to rent that can accommodate all of your possessions or, alternatively, how to declutter and downsize in order to make moving easier.
Moving to a new rental home with all your possessions
Finding a rental property that will easily fit all of your belongings can be a challenge. If the idea of decluttering has you breaking out in a cold sweat, however, there may be some workarounds.
1. Ask the landlord to consider storage improvements
Providing ample storage space is an easy way to maximise the attractiveness of a rental property and it’s in a landlord’s interests to ensure that prospective renters have the capacity to store what they need.
If you love a property but feel it’s lacking adequate storage, it’s worth approaching a landlord with a request for some small improvements. A built-in wardrobe, a better bathroom vanity or even just a few sets of strategically placed hooks could be all it takes for you to get your things sorted more efficiently.
A renter’s agent who is skilled with landlord negotiations is your best bet to help with this. They can also advise you on what is legally allowable in terms of fixtures and fittings to make your living space more comfortable.
2. Look for “smart” storage solutions
Look for easy and inexpensive ways to maximise the space you’re working with.
Floating shelves, stackable baskets and crates, hooks and folding furniture are all things to consider, as is seeking out any “dead space” (for example, under stairs and beds) and using it as a storage space.
3. Look closely at the floor plan
The way that you place your furniture and belongings is central to the functionality of the space and may open up new opportunities for storage.
Positioning a sofa in the middle of a room, for example, could make more sense by allowing for other furniture, like a storage unit, to be incorporated against the wall.
Renter’s agents can help you visualise what the space will look like furnished and which items you might need to sell, swap for alternatives or store externally.
Downsizing to fit into a small rental property
If you’re moving to a smaller place and keeping everything you currently own just isn’t an option, here are some strategies to help you consolidate:
1. Take an inventory
It’s time to be honest about what you truly need and ruthlessly evaluate each item you own. Often, it’s less than you think.
For furniture, if it’s not a core piece you’re using on a daily or weekly basis, like a bed, sofa or dining table, does it truly have a role? If you’re not regularly using it, it might be time to pass it on.
For smaller household goods like sporting equipment, clothing and kitchen appliances, apply the “one year test”. Was it more than a year ago that you used it? If so, chances are you’ll never use it again, making moving harder and leaving it to gather dust in your new home.
2. Donate and sell unwanted items
Donating to charity stores and selling things you don’t need on sites like Ebay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace will help you minimise your possessions more quickly. As a bonus, you’re supporting the circular economy and freeing up items that might have a more useful home elsewhere.
Going through this exercise in the early stages of your rental property search (and making a habit of it over time) means you won’t be weighed down (both mentally and physically) each time you look for a new home and, more importantly, move in.
3. Buy “rent-friendly furniture
If you plan to rent in the future, purchasing items that are compact, maximise drawer and shelf space or have more than one purpose (like a bed with a storage base) is a good long term strategy.
Buying these pieces will provide you with a foundation of suitable furniture that you can more easily take from one place to the next.
4. Consider storing items externally
It’s probable that you won’t need everything you own on hand 24/7.
External storage can provide you with a secure solution for safekeeping your possessions, which you can manage separately to your rental payments. And you may find this arrangement is worth it when you take into account the extra rent you would need to pay for a larger place.
Urban Renters Agent can help you move with ease
As a renter, taking a minimalist approach is something you may aspire to. But it’s not always possible to consolidate your belongings and have them fit into a smaller property.
Urban Renter’s Agent can help you locate the perfect rental home that will accommodate the items you value and that are central to your lifestyle.
