For many Americans, the soft economy is forcing them to make hard decisions such as scaling back on housing. For the hard hit, the question is: How do we downsize without experiencing too much stress?

I won't pretend that even under the best of circumstances cutting back is easy. If you are being forced into a smaller home by the current economic woes, it would be understandable if you are suffering from a sense of loss for the things you have become attached to.

It's a fact that most of us fill the rooms we have with possessions without giving much thought to their importance until the time comes when we have to give them up.

As I sat down to write this column and looked around my own living room, I got an instant tummy ache just thinking about downsizing. While my home is not large, around 2,100 square feet, it is obvious that many of my cherished things would have to go.

There wouldn't be room for the dining table that expands to seat 14. Nor would we need three recliner chairs, three TV sets, and our large, teak computer desk.

I imagined that the first order of business would be to figure out how to dispose of excess items without experiencing too much of a feeling of loss.

If you are like me, you would naturally remember how much you paid for each piece of furniture. You would note how nice each piece is. You would calculate how much you will have to spend when you are ready to replace it in the future.

Maybe a few suggestions will make this process a little easier:

In a perfect situation, find the new place to live first. If this means you will be temporarily renting an apartment, figure out where and how large it will be.

One option, if you can afford it, is to put your furniture in storage. However, you must be careful that you can keep up with the rental payments. Otherwise, you might lose all your cherished belongings anyway.

Another idea is to sell your best items at a resale shop. If you have enough lead-time, you can try to sell furnishings on the Internet.

You can arrange for family heirlooms to reside temporarily with a friend or family member for safekeeping. Hard times don't last forever. You must retain hope that things will improve someday and you will be able retrieve your treasured piano or antique desk.

The key to squeezing into a smaller space is the brave act of purging. Find the courage to get rid of nonessential things. There is no reason to pay to store junk. Most of us can find the will to dispose of our excess.

Next, do your best to arrange and organize your smaller home so that it is comfortable and functional. You will feel better if the new space is attractive and works for your family.

Realize that there are some terrific products out there that will assist in making a much smaller home satisfy your needs. From air-filled guest mattresses to rolling under-the-bed storage boxes, you can find clever ways to meet your needs.

If you've given away the desk, consider this tiny yet mobile Bill Payer. It is 24 1/4 inches wide, 15 1/4 inches deep and 39 1/2 inches tall.

The top, scalloped stationary tray lifts off to make more room and a slide-out "desk" makes an additional writing surface. Side pockets could hold current bills or mail that needs attention.

Granted this substitute for a desk is tiny and will require that you refrain from stockpiling junk mail or unread magazines. Again, the cardinal rule of successful small-space living is self-discipline when it comes to organization. Most important is finding a way to provide function in smaller packages.

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer and the author of "Big Ideas for Small Spaces." Send questions and comments to her by e-mail at christinebrun@sbcglobal.net. To find out more about Christine Brun and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.