--- title: Downsizing for Seniors: Sorting, Selling, Storing url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/downsizing-for-seniors/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Downsizing for seniors # Downsizing for seniors Downsize one room at a time, in three piles: keep, pass on, and let go, and start with rooms that carry the fewest memories. Work in short sessions over several weeks, and give yourself storage for the things you are not ready to decide about. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) A family home holds decades of belongings, and the new home is smaller. The task feels huge because it is emotional as much as physical. Breaking it into rooms and short sessions makes it manageable, and a few outside helpers make it kinder. This guide is written for the person downsizing and for the family members helping. ## Start with the floor plan Measure the new home first. Draw the rooms on paper and place the furniture you want to keep, so you know what fits. A bed, a favorite chair, a dresser and a table often fill a small bedroom and living area. Whatever does not fit gets a different plan: a family member, a donation, a sale, or storage. Having the numbers in hand turns a feeling into a decision. ## Sort one room at a time - Begin with a closet, the garage or a guest room, not the photos and keepsakes. - Work in sessions of one or two hours, with breaks, so the day stays pleasant. - Make three piles: keep, pass on to family or donate, and let go. - Set a box aside for things you cannot decide about, and look again in a month. - Keep a list of what goes to whom, so family members know and nothing is argued over later. ## Sharing family items Invite children and grandchildren to choose items they want, either in person or from photos. Write names on the back of the item or on a sticky note. Items that no one wants can go to a charity, a consignment store or an estate sale. A photograph of a piece and the story behind it can be a gift in its own right. ## Use storage while you decide Not every decision needs to be made before the move. Vault storage at O'Brien's Sparks warehouse starts from $40 per month, and the wooden vaults measure 7 ft x 7 ft x 5 ft. Furniture and boxes can wait there while you settle in or while the family decides. Goods ship out with about 2 to 3 weeks of notice. See [estate and downsizing storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/estate-and-downsizing-storage/). ## Let the crew do the heavy part Senior moves can include packing, moving and help with sorting and de-cluttering. O'Brien's [senior moving service](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/senior-moving/) is built around that kind of project, and the [senior moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/senior-moving-checklist/) lists the steps by week. The free in-home estimate is a good time to walk through the house with an estimator and ask what to do first. ## Where to find more help The Eldercare Locator, run by the federal Administration for Community Living, connects older adults and their families with local services. Nevada's Aging and Disability Services Division lists resources for the state. Both can point to care managers, senior centers and programs that help with moves. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [Eldercare Locator, Administration for Community Living](https://eldercare.acl.gov/home) - [Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division](https://www.adsd.nv.gov/) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [Senior moves and downsizing help](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/senior-moving/) - [Senior moving checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/senior-moving-checklist/) - [Estate and downsizing storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/full-service-storage/estate-and-downsizing-storage/) - [Moving a parent to assisted living](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-a-parent-to-assisted-living/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Moving a parent to assisted living](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-a-parent-to-assisted-living/) - [Handling an estate move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/estate-moves/) - [Moving for a new job](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-for-a-new-job/) - [Moving into your first apartment](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-apartment-move/) - [Getting furniture ready for home staging](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-and-home-staging/) - [What is FF&E?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/what-is-ffe/) - [Hotel renovation FF&E logistics](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/hotel-renovation-ffe-logistics/) - [Planning a laboratory move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/planning-a-lab-move/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Where should I start when downsizing? Start with the new floor plan, then sort the least emotional rooms first, like a garage or a guest room. ### What do I do with things nobody wants? Donate them, sell them through consignment or an estate sale, or hold them in storage for a few weeks while you decide. ### Can storage be used during a downsize? Yes. Vault storage in Sparks holds furniture and boxes until you are ready to decide. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) L Leticia H. November 1, 2024 O'Brien's Moving and Storage packing crew were great!! They were fast, friendly and most importantly, very professional. Thank you guys. M Michelle C. August 28, 2024 Extremely happy with the moving experience. The moving team showed up on time, friendly and polite. They did a wonderful job moving our boxes and furniture to the new location. We moved a three bedroom home and I could not be more pleased with the employees who assisted with the move. Highly recommend O'Brien moving for your move. ### Owner's reply Michelle, thank you so much for taking the time to write this review. We are so happy to hear about the move experience you had with our company and glad to know we met your expectations! It means a lot to us to know that. Thank you for choosing us as your moving partner. S Sonia P. August 4, 2023 Talk about organized people. I peeked in the truck about an hour into the job and was amazed at how well organized it was and how many of my things had protective coverings. Our bed is a mechanical one and a nightmare to us, but these guys had no issue with it at all. Although I have no desire to ever move again--but if I did, I would be calling these guys for sure!!! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070