Tips For Downsizing & Layout Ideas For A Smaller Home
Are you an empty nester looking for tips on downsizing and layout for a smaller home? Here are some amazing tips to help you through the downsizing process!
How to Downsize and Layout a Smaller Home
From empty nesters who are looking to profit from the high price of houses, millennials who plan on retiring early, to people who are embracing small living and minimalism, downsizing to smaller houses is a growing trend in the US.
If you’re on this boat, you might be wondering how to make downsizing less stressful. The process can look scary, but with helpful resources and the right plan set in place, it doesn’t have to be complicated!
This guide will cover the basics of decluttering when downsizing and will offer some layout design ideas to help you add your unique style to your new home while maximizing your new space.
Decluttering When Downsizing:
Downsizing and reducing your belongings can be a difficult process. But, in many ways, that’s the beauty of downsizing; it forces us to look at what we really need in life and truly appreciate it.
Declutter before you move:
The first step in downsizing is getting rid of all the clutter that’s accumulated over the years.
There are many ways you can do this, but one of the most effective methods is The KonMari Method (also known as The Tidying Up Method – Read move about it HERE).
This method involves going through each room and removing anything that no longer brings you joy. If an item has sentimental value, store it in specific places trying to keep it to a minimum or digitalize it, so it won’t take up physical space in your new home.
Decluttering When Downsizing Tips & Tricks:
Make an inventory of what you have:
Make sure you know exactly how much stuff you own, as well as its approximate value, so you can make decisions about what stays, what goes and where it should go.
Include your loved ones:
Talk to your family members and ask them if they’re interested in some of the family heirlooms or objects in your home. You can refer back to your inventory to keep everything organized. Have a clear timeline of when everything is going to happen and follow through.
Get rid of stuff by selling it online:
Think about selling things online if you have the time rather than trying to stuff them in your new place. Sites like eBay, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace let you advertise what you’re selling without having to deal with consignment stores. (Read more about how I use Facebook Marketplace HERE)
Yard sales are also a popular option for all sorts of items. And if you really want to speed up the decluttering process and you don’t need the money, look for charities or organizations near your area to donate.
Start small and gradually build up momentum:
Don’t overwhelm yourself from the get go by tackling the most difficult and cluttered room in your home, like the garage or kitchen. I recommend starting the decluttering process in the least used room. The foyer, the hallway or the mudroom, even your guest bathroom are great options to start.
Planning Your New Smaller Home Tips & Tricks:
Have a game plan:
The size of your new smaller home determines the type of downsize you’ll need to make. So, before you start buying anything new, have the new home floor plans printed out to play around with the different layouts and see how the furniture you want to keep will look in your new space.
Measure your furniture:
Measure the furniture pieces you want to take to your new home and arrange the new rooms with those furniture pieces as the focal points.
Figure out what you really need and want in your new space. It might be helpful to draw up a list of must-haves and wants before looking for houses or apartments that meet your criteria.
Get smart about storage when downsizing:
If you have the space, take advantage of it with smart storage!
If you’re moving from a large house into a smaller one, there’s no need to get rid of everything you own. Instead, use smart storage solutions like beds with hidden drawers, underfloor storage and hidden cabinets to keep items out of sight but close at hand when needed.
Change your mindset:
When in doubt, look years ahead of you and ask yourself if that item or furniture piece will be used or even be functional for you 10 or 15 years from now.
Keep it if you truly want to, whether because it’s useful or just holds sentimental value, but be honest about why you need it. This may seem like a simple mindset change but it does wonders to keep us grounded and keep the bigger picture in mind which is: to maximize space and simplify your daily life in a smaller, more manageable home.
Living Room & Kitchen Layout Ideas
Moving to a smaller home sometimes means less rooms to divide living areas. Now, open concept designs allow us to keep a streamlined design that amplifies the space and light while keeping visual divisions.
If you’ve been living in a large home with specific rooms for each area and are moving to a new smaller space, try to use the open concept layouts to your advantage. Here are some real life rooms for inspiration!
A smaller room doesn’t need to lack coziness or character. You can add storage space by having a headboard with built-in storage or use furniture with storage drawers to amplify your space.
As long as you plan ahead, make smart decisions, and use storage to your advantage, you can successfully downsize! I hope some of these tips make your process of moving to a smaller home easier.
Do you have any tips that made your move or downsizing process easier? Share down below in the comments if you do!
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Such great advice Janet as we are contemplating this very thing!
Are you thinking of a move to your cottage Lauren? We keep thinking of getting out of Miami, but will see what the future holds. xo
I think that the first contribution to a downsizing move is ATTITUDE. Rather that dwelling on everything that is going away, concentrate on the advantages of downsizing—less upkeep, the adventure of using possessions in a new way ( you CAN use the loved dining room credenza in the bedroom or living room), the excitement of a different lifestyle, etc. Take photos of beloved items so you can look at them in a new way. Before our downsize from a 3BR, 2bath, 1700 sf w/Fam rm to a 1125 sf apartment, I was told, “You don’t have to keep the object to have a memory. Take a photo.” I look at my photos occasionally and bask in the memories they generate!!
I did mention that in “digitalize it”, which I’m in the process of right now with loads of photo albums! Thanks Carolyn for your input!
After sitting in our hutch untouched for over 15 years we donated our china for 12 to Goodwill. It was a wedding gift from my in-laws. I discussed it with my husband because I didn’t want to hurt his feelings – he said “get rid of it”. We live a different lifestyle these days – no big entertaining – our daughter didn’t want it (she just donated my parents’ china). It’s just one small step towards living a more streamlined lifestyle. I started this process about 2 years ago, and we will be downsizing next year. Although it won’t be a total minimal life, I prefer to call it simplified.
We are in a similar situation to you Lyn. Large house, our daughters are grown and I have my in-laws china as well. I’m trying to convince my husband that we need to simplify, but he is resisting at this point. Enjoy your weekend!
When I downsized, it was to move in with my daughter and family. They built a house and the garage area became my space. My son-in-law pulled together a few apartment layout’s for me to work with. I actually turned the balcony piece into an office area. I have a large walk-in closet and full kitchen. I really like the space. It is roughly 950 feet and cathedral ceilings. We share the laundry area as it is a space between the two living areas. I also have access to the full basement as well as deck , separate garage and yard. We both have shared areas and private space.
Patty, that truly sounds ideal and you are fortunate to have that sort of a living situation! Enjoy and thanks for sharing with us!
Because of a kitchen water leak, my kitchen had to be gutted and the cabinets had to be emptied in a quick hurry. Much of the contents were spread everywhere (it seemed). I donated and recycled and tossed out a huge amount. One thing rule we used was: if the item is less than $10 to replace, then act to get rid of it. Honestly, I’ve haven’t had to buy hardly anything new. We do tend to accumulate and keep too much. It’s freeing to get rid of things. Best wishes to anyone facing this task.
Jina, I’m going through the same thing right now and our kitchen demo starts tomorrow morning! We have some mold behind the walls and the kitchen really needed some updates, so I’m ready and will document here on the blog!
This was helpful for everyone. I think it can be useful for the house you are in or one you are purchasing. I may use this to reimagine my space. I need a better flow in a few rooms. Thank you : )
Hope it helps you out!