Winter Downsizing To-Dos.

Cindy Murphy
Jan 16
8 min read

Episode #12: Taking advantage of the cold weather.

This week's "Living Smaller & Loving It!" blog post explores ways to use the cold winter weather to downsize.

Announcements are listed at the bottom of the page. Be sure to check them out.

It's mid-January, and we really haven't had winter here in the Kansas City area yet. But I wanted to use this photo to remind myself that the "BIG" one could hit any day, after all, it is winter!

With fluctuating temperatures—one day in the 50s and the next in the 20s—many have chosen a form of quasi-hibernation (not a complete cave-dwelling, but close). The cold temperatures of January (and February) may be ideal for starting or continuing a sort-and-pare-down project.

Pick your room, closet, drawer, china cabinet, buffet, or wherever you're led, and let's GO! Remember, the toughest step in the downsizing process for most people is sorting through and making decisions about their STUFF. It takes time, so be patient and don't give up!

On these cold winter days ahead, here's a jump-start list of items (in no particular order) to consider sorting through and making decisions about:

Old and worn bath towels (you know the ones with fraying edges, rips, or holes).
Expired or unused skincare or hair products.
Makeup expired or never used.
Expired vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, or prescriptions (dispose of these correctly).
Old pillows and bedding (Bed pillows, unless new-in-plastic, can't be donated. Old blankets and towels can be donated to an animal shelter).
Plastic grocery bags (take these back to your store for recycling and consider using cloth bags).
Speaking of cloth grocery bags, we only need so many, and even though they are eco-friendly and washable, they can get a bit worn — pitch or recycle.
Cardboard boxes saved for future use — break them down and recycle.
Old, never-used craft supplies.
Books, books, and more books. (When my husband and I redid his office last year, we donated 18 boxes of books! It can be done.)
Magazines. (These can be donated to assisted living communities to be used by residents for projects. Call first, though.)
Newspapers.
Pencils, pens, markers. (We only need so many of these writing instruments. Test them first, then bag and donate them.)
General unused or extra office supplies--paper clips, rubber bands, manila folders, hanging files, excess paper stock, scissors, staplers/staples, rulers, notebooks, etc. (Bag the small items and donate them.)
Wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, and gift bags — donate the excess.
Holiday decor, all seasons! (Consider donating anything you haven't used in the past one or two seasons.)
Clothes. Coats. Hats. Gloves. Shoes. Purses. Accessories. (If you haven't worn it, it doesn't fit, or you simply don't like it, DONATE!)
Old undergarments and socks.
Kitchen and pantry. (See below.)
Decor items that are either stored away, you're tired of, or ready to replace or update.
Throw pillows that are worn out.
Old area rugs.
Lamps and worn-out lampshades.
Furniture that is old, broken, stored away, or you're ready for something new.
Technology, equipment, and media of all kinds.
Past work-life related items.
Workbenches.
Garage, basement, and attic spaces. Any outbuilding storage.

The above list is not meant to discourage you; rather, it illustrates the items most people must address when sorting and paring down. Now, let's take a look at the kitchen.

HOW MANY SPATULAS DOES ONE KITCHEN NEED?

Downsizing and reorganizing a kitchen that has been used the same way for years can be daunting for many people. There's something about a kitchen and its contents that can make the cook (owner) very protective of their space. (We've seen it over and over through the years. Even after saying they rarely cook anymore, they're still reluctant to let go.) If you're moving into a smaller kitchen or would simply like to cull the excess, it may be time to be realistic about how you'll cook going forward. Fewer kitchen items (gadgets) will make for a well-organized, easy-to-use, and care-free space.

Here's a lighthearted look at items that may no longer be used (or rarely used) but still take up valuable kitchen space. Also, keep in mind that if you've "passed the torch" for family gatherings (someone else is hosting), there may be many items you no longer need.

If you haven't made real mashed potatoes in years but still have the masher buried in a drawer, it's time to donate. The same goes for garlic presses, onion slicers/keepers, meat tenderizers, graters, etc., don't use them? Donate.
If you have a variety of baking dishes of various sizes and use only one or two occasionally, it's time to donate the rest.
If your mixing bowls sit unused, it may be time to make a donation.
If you're storing a large number of plastic containers (with and without lids), it's time to sort and donate or pitch/recycle.
If you have several sizes of skillets but use only one or two, it's time to donate the others.
If your hand towels, dish rags, and potholders are overflowing a drawer, it's time to thin them out and donate or toss any worn-out items.
If you haven't made a pie or cookies in years, consider donating your rolling pin and any extra pie plates or cookie sheets you're storing.
If you buy your muffins and haven't made cupcakes in a long time, donate the tin(s). (The same goes for loaf and cake pans.)
If your appliances (bread machine, blender, food processor, waffle maker, electric skillet, rice cooker, etc.) haven't been plugged in and used for some time, it's time to donate.
If your coffee mugs take up an entire cabinet (or shelf) and you have a few favorites that you actually use, it's time to say goodbye to the rest.
If you have a huge number of wine glasses and don't drink or serve wine, it's time to send them on their way.
If you have an abundance of takeout menus, sort and keep the ones you order from, and discard the rest.
And finally, if your rarely used cooking utensils take up a lot of space, select your favorites and donate the rest.

This is my sorting, assessing, and purging formula for the kitchen. Work at a pace that is good for you and go through one cabinet, one drawer at a time. Take the contents out and place everything on the counter or table. (This is also the perfect time to clean the cabinets and drawers.) Next, decide what you use regularly and set those items aside. Then decide what you would use if you had guests over, like serving platters or baking dishes, for example. Put these items in a different area. What's left are items you can probably manage without. This is the excess, the clutter, and it may be time to toss or donate.

An overstocked, overstuffed pantry closet.

An overstuffed pantry. What you don't see are the many items stacked on the kitchen floor outside the door because there wasn't room on the shelves. (This pantry photo, from many years ago, belonged to a client in her late 70's who admitted to rarely cooking.)

Checking expiration dates and packing this pantry for her move took some time. She downsized from a large home to a one-bedroom apartment. Finding space for the items she took was challenging.

Another downsizing challenge came from a client who refused to pare down any of her kitchen items—pots, pans, baking dishes, etc. Because there wasn't room in her new apartment-sized kitchen, she purchased several free-standing metal shelving units and lined part of her dining room and entry hall with them to hold the excess. (This client was in her 80's.)

TIPS: If you're heading to the store, take stock of what's already in the pantry. Keep a list of items you need as they are used up. Don't overbuy or buy items just because they're on sale; the excess will only add to the clutter. Paper products are among the items purchased in excess! Buy what you need and what you'll use within a reasonable amount of time.

How We Can Help.

We are sorting and organizing specialists not only in the kitchen but throughout the house. We work as coaches and hands-on team members alongside our customers to tackle the excess and make better use of space. If you need a little extra help, reach out via the CONTACT page on the website to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

A quick note for those selling their home. Kitchens are a key selling point, so having your cabinets, drawers, and pantries cleaned out and neatly organized is a priority. Potential buyers will look in these areas to assess the space, so organization and cleanliness are essential.

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"Living Smaller & Loving It!"

Announcements

COMING UP Spring 2026: "Where to live in the Kansas City Metro" will feature a list of independent and assisted living communities. (At last count, there were somewhere in the neighborhood of 110 communities on both sides of the state line.) The listings will be arranged alphabetically by region — North of the River, Central, South, etc. This will allow the visitor to select the Metro area where they prefer to live.

For marketing managers: if you would like a feature link to your community, please contact us via the CONTACT page for pricing details. Your link will bring potential new residents to your doorstep!

COMING UP in February: A guest blog post from a local realtor--tips on selling your home. Be sure to check back mid-to-late February for this informative post!

COMING UP: A downsizing housing poll. We'll be conducting a poll to determine which types of living environments our readers/subscribers prefer for their retirement years. Poll participation will be greatly appreciated! Here's a "did you know?" There is a relatively new movement among senior women who are co-housing with other senior women. The movement is gaining momentum across the U.S. Check out their "Senior Women Cohousing" Facebook page.

COMING UP: A RESOURCES page. This page will feature both not-for-profit and for-profit business resources for seniors. All listings will have direct links to the company's website for immediate contact. If you are a for-profit business and would like more information on listing costs, please use the CONTACT link.

Listed below are some of the for-profit businesses that conduct business with Seniors:

In-Home Health Care
Adult Daycare
Elder Law & Estate Planning
Dentist
Physician
Hearing/Audiology
Optometry/Ophthalmology
Podiatrist
Hospital/Clinic
Housekeeping
Insurance
Transportation
Moving
Personal Chef
Personal Shopper
Veterinarian
Realtor/Real Estate Services
Automotive
Junk Hauler
Home Improvement
Plumber
HVAC
Electrician
Estate Sales/Auction

... and more!

COMING UP: "The Anatomy of a Junk Drawer" post. I need photos of your junk drawers for this lighthearted look at why we have junk drawers and what can be found in them. Send your photos as an email attachment to info@downsizingsimplified.com OR attach your photo to a text message to (816) 358-6338. Tell us a little about the contents of your drawer.

Thanks for participating!

Let's have some fun with this assignment!

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STORIES, SNIPPETS, & SHARES

Our newest web page, "Stories, Snippets, & Shares" debuted on Wed, December 3, 2025.

Be sure to check out the page update available on January 7th, which features an interview with a daughter about her recent journey of downsizing her soon-to-be 93-year-old mother from a 2-bedroom independent living apartment to a much smaller assisted living unit.

Shared personal insights for both adult children and their parent(s).

Please like, comment, share, and subscribe; we appreciate your support.

Downsizing Simplified

Simplifying Lifestyles Since 2007

Episode #12: Taking advantage of the cold weather.

This week's "Living Smaller & Loving It!" blog post explores ways to use the cold winter weather to downsize.

It's mid-January, and we really haven't had winter here in the Kansas City area yet. But I wanted to use this photo to remind myself that the "BIG" one could hit any day, after all, it is winter!

With fluctuating temperatures—one day in the 50s and the next in the 20s—many have chosen a form of quasi-hibernation (not a complete cave-dwelling, but close). The cold temperatures of January (and February) may be ideal for starting or continuing a sort-and-pare-down project.

Pick your room, closet, drawer, china cabinet, buffet, or wherever you're led, and let's GO! Remember, the toughest step in the downsizing process for most people is sorting through and making decisions about their STUFF. It takes time, so be patient and don't give up!

On these cold winter days ahead, here's a jump-start list of items (in no particular order) to consider sorting through and making decisions about:

Old and worn bath towels (you know the ones with fraying edges, rips, or holes).

Expired or unused skincare or hair products.

Makeup expired or never used.

Expired vitamins, over-the-counter medicines, or prescriptions (dispose of these correctly).

Old pillows and bedding (Bed pillows, unless new-in-plastic, can't be donated. Old blankets and towels can be donated to an animal shelter).

Plastic grocery bags (take these back to your store for recycling and consider using cloth bags).

Speaking of cloth grocery bags, we only need so many, and even though they are eco-friendly and washable, they can get a bit worn — pitch or recycle.

Cardboard boxes saved for future use — break them down and recycle.

Old, never-used craft supplies.

Books, books, and more books. (When my husband and I redid his office last year, we donated 18 boxes of books! It can be done.)

Magazines. (These can be donated to assisted living communities to be used by residents for projects. Call first, though.)

Newspapers.

Pencils, pens, markers. (We only need so many of these writing instruments. Test them first, then bag and donate them.)

General unused or extra office supplies--paper clips, rubber bands, manila folders, hanging files, excess paper stock, scissors, staplers/staples, rulers, notebooks, etc. (Bag the small items and donate them.)

Wrapping paper, tissue paper, bows, and gift bags — donate the excess.

Holiday decor, all seasons! (Consider donating anything you haven't used in the past one or two seasons.)

Clothes. Coats. Hats. Gloves. Shoes. Purses. Accessories. (If you haven't worn it, it doesn't fit, or you simply don't like it, DONATE!)

Old undergarments and socks.

Kitchen and pantry. (See below.)

Decor items that are either stored away, you're tired of, or ready to replace or update.

Throw pillows that are worn out.

Old area rugs.

Lamps and worn-out lampshades.

Furniture that is old, broken, stored away, or you're ready for something new.

Technology, equipment, and media of all kinds.

Past work-life related items.

Workbenches.

Garage, basement, and attic spaces. Any outbuilding storage.

The above list is not meant to discourage you; rather, it illustrates the items most people must address when sorting and paring down. Now, let's take a look at the kitchen.

HOW MANY SPATULAS DOES ONE KITCHEN NEED?

Here's a lighthearted look at items that may no longer be used (or rarely used) but still take up valuable kitchen space. Also, keep in mind that if you've "passed the torch" for family gatherings (someone else is hosting), there may be many items you no longer need.

If you haven't made real mashed potatoes in years but still have the masher buried in a drawer, it's time to donate. The same goes for garlic presses, onion slicers/keepers, meat tenderizers, graters, etc., don't use them? Donate.

If you have a variety of baking dishes of various sizes and use only one or two occasionally, it's time to donate the rest.

If your mixing bowls sit unused, it may be time to make a donation.

If you're storing a large number of plastic containers (with and without lids), it's time to sort and donate or pitch/recycle.

If you have several sizes of skillets but use only one or two, it's time to donate the others.

If your hand towels, dish rags, and potholders are overflowing a drawer, it's time to thin them out and donate or toss any worn-out items.

If you haven't made a pie or cookies in years, consider donating your rolling pin and any extra pie plates or cookie sheets you're storing.

If you buy your muffins and haven't made cupcakes in a long time, donate the tin(s). (The same goes for loaf and cake pans.)

If your appliances (bread machine, blender, food processor, waffle maker, electric skillet, rice cooker, etc.) haven't been plugged in and used for some time, it's time to donate.

If your coffee mugs take up an entire cabinet (or shelf) and you have a few favorites that you actually use, it's time to say goodbye to the rest.

If you have a huge number of wine glasses and don't drink or serve wine, it's time to send them on their way.

If you have an abundance of takeout menus, sort and keep the ones you order from, and discard the rest.

And finally, if your rarely used cooking utensils take up a lot of space, select your favorites and donate the rest.