Are you relocating from a larger space to a smaller residence? Moving is a challenging task in any case, but even more so when there’s a significant downsizing.
For instance, you might have lived in a large house in Houston, but lifestyle changes might compel you to relocate to a small apartment in another state. After all, the living and housing costs in Houston have taken a great jump in recent months. In September 2023, the median housing prices in this city were around $355K, an increase of 51.1%. Such inflation often compels people to relocate to more affordable cities.
There are several factors for relocating to another city. Some folks downsize after their children move out. They might then decide to move closer to family, to a retirement community, or somewhere else. Others may choose to relocate for a simpler life, to save money, or to experience something different. Then, there are changes in family setups, housemates, and other living situations. We have to adapt accordingly, even if it means living in a smaller space.
Of course, smaller accommodations don’t mean a lower quality of life. One might even be happier in a more compact residence, with less to clean and maintain. Here are a few tips for downsizing with elegance and making that new space feel like home:
1. Hire a Reliable Moving Company
Moving from a large setup to a compact space might require professional assistance, especially when it’s a long-distance move. To ensure a smooth transition with the least hassle possible, look up Houston long long-distance moving company and hire their services.
With experienced professionals packing, loading, transporting, and offloading your items, you can retain some peace of mind. With the company handling most of the major tasks, you can focus on other important factors. These may include the following:
- Mentally processing the transition and the new life ahead
- Selecting new furniture to fit into the smaller space
- Mentally preparing and counseling the kids, if any
- Spending quality time with family before the change
- Going around the neighborhood and revisiting your favorite spots
- Saying goodbye to old neighbors and friends
Overall, a reliable moving company will enable you to have a healthy, positive experience while moving out.
2. Reduce Your Belongings
If the space seems too limited, remember that there are ways to make a small house seem bigger. One of these is to reduce the belongings you’ve accumulated over the years. In a large house, there might be a slew of items that you don’t need.
Not sure how to start downsizing your items? Here are some starting points:
- Before you start to pack, go through every room, every drawer, and every cabinet. Collect any items that you don’t use anymore and put them in a designated donation box. Drop off these items at any nearby donation center.
- The same sorting procedure will also reveal items that you might want to donate to the recycling center or sell for extra cash. Sorting these out, putting pictures online, and dealing with potential buyers might take some time, though. If you have a comfortable window before the move-out date, try these methods to downsize your stuff in the most beneficial way possible.
- If you’re still not sure about certain items, put aside a couple of packing boxes for them. For the bulkier stuff, such as furniture, an external storage unit might be necessary. Look up the cost of storage units, and then do a cost-benefit analysis of this option. If the storage costs are more than the furniture’s worth, it’s probably time to let go.
- If the smaller items are still packed and unused after a year, it’s time to get rid of them. You’d probably need all the space you can get in your new, smaller home.
We may not want to get rid of certain items due to their sentimental value. If there’s no room for them in your new place, consider letting go of them.
4. Invest in Functional Furniture
What makes a residence home-like? For one, it’s the ease with which you can move around. If the place is always cluttered, no one will be able to walk around and get their tasks done easily. You may not even be able to fully relax and unwind in an uncomfortable space.
Getting your old, large, and bulky furniture into a smaller space is usually a recipe for permanent clutter. Instead of dragging it across the state, consider buying more functional furniture. Some of these options may include:
- Get multipurpose furniture, especially pieces that double as storage. Think ottomans with hollow insides, coffee tables with inbuilt bookcases, or mirrors that open up to reveal jewelry storage.
- Other furniture options may include compact dining tables that can open up when required, an iron stand that folds up into the wall, etc.
- Consider alternatives to traditional bedroom furniture; trundle beds, bunk beds, Murphy beds, or sofa beds are all viable options.
- Have modular sectional sofas for the living room; these can be arranged according to your convenience.
- Install narrow sliding shelves in unused spaces, such as between the refrigerator and the wall.
5. Work with the Layout
The setup of your new home will help determine which storage and furniture options are most suitable. Don’t try to force the same setting or even the same items in this new, smaller space. If you do, the result will probably be forced, overstuffed, and generally inconvenient. Here are a few ideas for making the space work in the best way possible:
- If there’s an empty corner near the kitchen, put a simple square table there to create a dining spot.
- If there’s a kitchen island, see whether you can install additional storage options inside it.
- In the smaller bedroom, consider giving up your bedside table, downsizing to just one, or swapping them for narrower pieces.
- Swap the king-sized mattress for a single, twin, or queen-size model.
- Utilize any available vertical space on the walls, doors, closets, etc.
- Have customized storage boxes with wheels to utilize the space under your bed
Conclusion
Downsizing from your old lifestyle is an emotional commitment and not always an easy one. If the change is happening anyway, it’s best to embrace this new kind of life. The points above will hopefully help you downsize successfully. Start implementing them now, and you’ll be enjoying that new space in no time.
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