Making downsizing easier

Crescentwood

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must decide what to keep, sell, or give away. Whether moving to a smaller home or simply decluttering, the question often arises—where do I start?

“Downsizing is something everyone faces eventually,” said Janice Perkins of Missing Pieces, a Winnipeg business that specializes in consignment and estate items. “The longer you live in one place, the harder it is to move. We spend our lives collecting things ‘just in case’ — and most of them never get used.”

Janice advises starting small.

“Be ruthless,” she said with a laugh. “Start with linens — how many sets of sheets do you really need? Two or three at most. Choose your favourites and donate the rest.”

Many people begin by tagging items for family, but younger generations often aren’t interested in traditional heirlooms such as china or antique furniture. To maximize returns, Janice recommends exploring online options such as Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace, or contacting local consignment stores if you’d rather not host strangers in your home.

Missing Pieces hears these stories daily and has compiled a downsizing brochure listing Winnipeg services that buy, consign, or accept donations.

“There are great local organizations that accept specific items,” Janice explained. “Give to what feels meaningful—whether that’s animals, children, newcomers, or the arts.”

Janice also offers a practical tip for keeping clutter at bay: “I keep a donation box by the back door. Family and friends get first dibs, and when it’s full, I drop it off and start a new one. And if something new comes into the house—something else has to go.”

To request a copy of the downsizing brochure, contact Janice at Missing Pieces: info@missingpieces.com

Missing Pieces is located at 646 Academy Rd. Visit the website at missingpieces.com