Tips for moving and furnishing your new home

If you’ve ever moved, you’ve probably been surprised about how much you accumulated even in a short period of time. And now that you’re considering moving to a senior community, one of your biggest concerns may be what will fit in your new home.

One way to approach the task is to imagine yourself in your new home. Visit a similar apartment and ask your host what they learned from the process of moving in. For example, one of our residents tells visitors that he made sure to place a small table right by his front door, with a mirror above it. That way, he says he’s got a handy place to put keys and mail when he comes and goes, and a mirror to make sure his shirt is tidy before he leaves for dinner.

Ask other residents what fit and what didn’t when they initially moved. They may let you measure the size of furniture that seems to fit comfortably in their apartment. We can provide floor plans with room measurements for any of our well-designed apartment homes. Here are some steps to help you plan:

Cut small squares and rectangles to approximate the size of couches, chairs or tables that you think you may want to bring.
Arrange them until you arrive at something you like.
Imagine where you will display or store the things that have the greatest sentimental value to you: perhaps a picture, a memento from a trip, or photo albums.

Once you have a list of the furnishings that you think will work best, and the things that are most special to you, it may be easier to approach the task of determining what won’t fit. Make a list of the things you won’t take with you. You may feel better if your things have a “good home”, whether that’s a grateful family member, friend, or charitable organization.

Then, if time permits, put the whole list down for a week. Come back with a fresh perspective and review your “must take” list. Do you still feel as strongly? After getting used to the idea that you can’t take it all with you, you may feel comfortable letting go of a few things.