It’s no secret that the older we get the more “stuff” we seem to accumulate, and the larger the home the more clutter we tend to collect! But how much of it do we actually need?

Once the kids have grown up and moved out, we’re often left with old furniture, generational memorabilia, kids’ trophies, travel mementos and old décor items, not to mention a large family home to maintain.

It’s just one of the many reasons why decluttering your home and downsizing to an over 50s community is so appealing. Plus, clearing out things you no longer need or want can be incredibly liberating. What’s not to love about that!

Nestled in a beautiful riparian rainforest setting, Ingenia Lifestyle Nature’s Edge ticks all the boxes when it comes to over 50s resort-style living and, now that spring has sprung, there has never been a better time to simplify your life and make way for new beginnings.

Offering modern, architecturally-designed homes, a friendly and social community of like-minded people, state-of-the-art Leisure Centre and the security of a gated community, Ingenia Lifestyle Nature’s Edge is the perfect choice for those seeking relaxed, low maintenance living with all the benefits of a resort.

If you are not already sold, there are many other benefits associated with decluttering and downsizing your home, just ask moving expert Kym Phillips of Moving Made Easy.

“For many people, downsizing from the family home means sorting through a lifetime of memories and possessions, which can be overwhelming,” says Kym.

“The biggest challenge is purging your belongings. It’s not easy to decide what to get rid of and what to keep. Often we have collectibles in our home from the past three or four generations and we feel we have to keep them.

“You may have nana’s crystal cabinet or mum’s cutlery set for example, but why not take a video or photos of those special things to have them in your heart forever and pass them on to your kids, or perhaps a charity. Trophies from bowling or golf clubs can always be given back to the clubs so they can have display them in their memorabilia cabinets.”

Having a plan and a clear process in place is key according to Kym and, while it may be a little daunting to begin with, the end result can be life changing.

“We separate things in to three categories, a pile to go to charity, a pile of favourite items to go to your new location, and a pile for rubbish.

“When downsizing, my number one tip is to remember the 80/20 rule. We all tend to use 20 per cent of what we have, 80 per cent of the time. The reason we tend to hang on to it is because we have the room to store it, but we don’t necessarily use it,” says Kym.

Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of Kym’s job is seeing the sense of achievement on her clients’ faces when they free themselves from the clutter that has been holding them back from moving to the next exciting chapter of their lives.

“People realise they can go to a smaller home and they are ready to move on, it’s incredibly liberating.”

Kym’s top tips for downsizing and decluttering your lifestyle are:

• Give yourself plenty of time. Tackle one room at a time and acknowledge the achievement as you finish each room.
• Make three columns on a checklist, listing possessions as items to keep, “maybes’’ and those you no longer need. Hold on to the “maybe’’ items for a few weeks. If you don’t use them in that time, move them on.
• Don’t be afraid to sell unwanted items – selling your belongings has never been easier thanks to the proliferation of apps and online marketplaces.
• Many people tend to have more cups, pots or plastic items than needed. Keep your favourites and move the rest on.
• Knick-knacks can often hold a lot of sentimental value, but can take a lot of space. Pick your favourite ones to keep and take photos of the rest for memories.
• Linen can take up an extraordinary amount of room. Instead of numerous sets of sheets, towels and blankets, trim that back to one set and a spare for each bed in the new home.
• Beds that feature drawer’s underneath can provide valuable, additional storage and are used to great effect in apartment living.
• Measure the floorplan of your new home. Consider the size and shape of your current furniture, some of which may be difficult to place in a smaller space. Mounting your TV on the wall of your new home instead of placing it on a bulky cabinet can save you space.
• In the weeks leading up to your move, use up what you have stored in your fridge and pantry and only purchase items you will use each week. Don’t buy in bulk and stock up prior to moving. Once you make the move, consider how you shop for groceries. Nature’s Edge Buderim is located close to shops, so rather than store enough food to last several weeks, save space by only carrying enough to last a few days.