Moving to a smaller apartment — downsizing made easy

Living smaller — a conscious choice

The downsizing trend is clearly noticeable in Switzerland. More and more people are consciously choosing less living space — whether for financial reasons, because the children have moved out, because they want to live more simply after retirement, or because a minimalistic lifestyle has become more attractive. Fewer square meters mean less rent, less cleaning and often more freedom.

But moving to a smaller apartment presents many people with a real challenge: What do I take with me? What am I handing over? How do I furnish the new, smaller apartment so that it still looks spacious and has everything you need?

This article provides you with a structured guide — from the initial inventory to living in a new, more compact home.

Step 1: Make a realistic inventory

Before you pack even one box, you need clarity about two things: What do you have — and how much space will you have available in the future?

Analyze the layout of the new apartment

Obtain the floor plan of your new apartment and measure the rooms. Compare these measurements with your largest pieces of furniture. Does your sofa fit into the new living room? Does the wardrobe have space on the intended wall? Is there a storage room or cellar for things that are not used every day?

This analysis shows you at an early stage what is definitely coming along — and what will no longer have space.

Create an inventory list

Go through your current apartment room by room and make a list of all items. Divide them into three categories:

• Comes with — absolutely necessary, fits into the new apartment
• Is delivered — well received, can be sold, given away or donated
• Is discarded — defective, worn out or no longer used

This method gives you a clear overview and prevents you from having to make decisions under time pressure on moving day.

Step 2: Clean out consistently — but with a system

Mucking out is the most emotionally demanding part of downsizing. Letting go of things you've owned for years isn't always easy. A structured approach helps here.

The one-year rule

A proven rule of thumb: If you haven't used an item in the last twelve months, you probably won't need it in the future. This rule especially helps with clothes, kitchen appliances and decorative items.

Categories instead of rooms

Instead of going room by room, it is recommended to sort by category. First, collect all the books from the entire apartment in one place, then all the textiles, then the kitchen items. This allows you to keep track of quantities and make more conscious decisions.

What to do with mucked out objects?

• Sell: Platforms such as Ricardo, Tutti or local flea markets are well suited for well-preserved furniture and household appliances
• Donate: Caritas, Brockenhaus or local social department stores are happy to receive many items
• Give away: Neighborhood groups or online platforms for free delivery are a quick solution
• Dispose of: Gerber Transport offers a professional disposal service for items that can no longer be used

Step 3: Clever selection and adjustment of furniture

Not every piece of furniture from a large apartment has a useful place in a smaller one. Sometimes it pays off to invest specifically in new, space-saving furniture before moving.

Prefer multifunctional furniture

In small apartments, furniture with multiple functions is worth its weight in gold. A sofa with bed function, a dining table that can be pulled out, a bed with integrated drawers or a shelf that also serves as a room divider — such solutions maximize available space without sacrificing comfort.

Use vertical space

Small apartments often have the same ceiling height as large ones — this vertical space is often underestimated. High shelves, wall shelves and hanging storage systems create additional storage space without taking up floor space.

Visually enlarge

Bright colors, large mirrors and uniform floors make small spaces look bigger. Avoid using too many different patterns and colors — uniformity creates visual peace and more felt space.

Step 4: Organize the move well yourself

If you move into a smaller apartment, you have less volume to transport — this makes moving in itself easier and cheaper. However, there are a few points to consider.

Plan the setup order

Before you move in, consider which furniture goes where. Draw a simple room plan and place the most important pieces of furniture in it. In this way, you avoid unnecessary moving back and forth on moving day and the moving team immediately knows where each piece belongs.

Storage as a temporary solution

If you are not yet sure whether you want to keep some items permanently, short-term storage is a good solution. Gerber Transport offers secure storage facilities in the Winterthur and Zurich region — flexibly and at fair conditions. This gives you time to decide in peace without giving anything away prematurely.

Live smaller, live better

Downsizing isn't a limitation — it's an opportunity. People who own less often live more clearly, more relaxed and more consciously. With the right furnishings and a good dose of creativity, the new, smaller apartment can be just as homely and comfortable as a large one.

The key lies in preparation: If you start early, take your time and take a structured approach, you will not experience the move to the smaller apartment as a loss, but as a real new start.

Gerber Transport accompanies you during downsizing

Whether it's a large household liquidation, professional disposal or the actual move — Gerber Transport is there for you at every stage of downsizing. We know the challenges and offer tailor-made solutions for every need.

Contact us for a non-binding offer and take the first step into your new, more compact and conscious life.

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