From Mariette Mifflin,
Your Guide to Housewares / Appliances.
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Baby Boomers are already beginning to consider retirement living options, and while many will choose to remain in their current homes, a large number will opt for a low maintenance apartment or condo, and others will plan to winterize their small cottage for their new abode.

Whether you'll be moving to a new home or two seasonal dwellings, making good downsizing decisions with a wise appliance strategy can greatly enhance this new chapter of your life and ease the burdens often associated with moving. If downsizing is in your future, begin now, to take stock of what you have, know what you really want and need, and start now to budget and plan for appliance replacements.

Evaluate Your Current Housewares & Appliances

Take a serious look at your appliances, large and small, and consider their age, general condition, capacity, performance, and how likely you are to use them in the future. Consider the impact of moving certain appliances. Older refrigerators or freezers may not survive a physical relocation and would be best replaced for the new home.

Replacing older appliances for more efficient ones will save you energy dollars and the outlay to purchase now, will hopefully provide you with many years of trouble-free use. Replacing later on a limited budget may be more difficult.

Moving to a smaller home usually means less floor space, counter and storage. Are there family-sized appliances and housewares, like large stock pots or grills, that you no longer use and could be donated to a large family or local group? Church kitchens usually love to inherit tableware and kitchenware items.

Are there kitchen gadgets you've never used, don't like or just not needed? Will you use 4 sets of dishes and 3 roasting pans in your retirement years? Casserole containers should also be downsized to suit your household. If you're not planning on having a garden, will you ever use all that canning or preserving equipment? If you'll be downsizing your buffet, this is a great time to pass on some of your cherished tableware heirlooms to your children.

We all have our favorite appliances and housewares, but most of us have items that we actually like, but seldom use for whatever reason. And, we often store appliances that aren't working quite right, for disposal at some undetermined time - well now is the time. When you're faced with moving, re-evaluating and de-cluttering is a must.

Quality & Durability

For years you've chosen your housewares based on budget and practical needs - it's time to choose high quality durable houseware products that will not only be a delight to use, but that will look beautiful and functional for many years.

A cupboard full of various sizes, shapes and styles of worn drinkware, can now be replaced with sparkling new matching, trendy yet practical, quality glassware. Cutlery can become pitted, dull and even have rust spots after 30-some years of use, but a good quality 18/10 stainless steel flatware set will beautifully grace your table. A group of assorted mixing bowls could be replaced with a set that will more easily nest in your cupboard, saving valuable storage space.

Space-Saving & Compact Appliances

Your new residence may have limited counter and floor space, as well as a smaller pantry or storage area. What size of appliances do you really need? Would an 18" wide Dishwasher be sufficient? You may have to operate it after every meal when the children are over, and that's fine. It's your general everyday use that you need to plan for.

Do you really need a high capacity washer and dryer, or would a compact set be sufficient? What size of refrigerator is adequate? Maximize counter space by choosing space-saving appliances and limiting counter presence by importance, and storing the rest.