Moving into a new home can feel equally exciting and stressful. New adventures await, but when the prospect of downsizing into a smaller home comes, oftentimes those adventures are overshadowed by thoughts of "Ah, I have too much stuff, where will I fit my furniture, or how do I decide what to get rid of?" Even the most organized and minimalistic of home owners will feel the pressure to purge close in on them. Don't worry, here are some helpful tips to put you on the right track for downsizing into your new condo.
1. Create An Organization Plan
Before you lift a finger, start with a solid plan of attack. This will prevent you from being hit with any
major 'surprises' on moving day. Set out goals you want to achieve, with clear deadlines, and have the whole family on-board. Lists may seem silly at first, but they can really help visualize the magnitude of the task at hand. Checking off each task one-by-one not only feels super satisfying, it also allows you to feel less clutter-minded.
Plan out your space, so that you can better determine what you will need and what no longer serves a purpose in your new home. It will save you so much time and effort (and potentially money) if you sort out what you will be taking with you ahead of time. It may seem like a hassle at the time, but packing up and moving all your belongings just to discard them when you unpack is a waste of resources. If this task feels overwhelming, we highly recommend getting help from an organization specialist like Put To Order. Lisa and her team are experts when it comes to downsizing!
Want more pro tips for easy moving? Check out our 3 Hacks for Moving Into A New Place blog post for inspiration.
2. Determine What Serves Your Lifestyle
A cheetah print pant may have worked wonders in the past, but as your lifestyle and/or professional goals evolved, it may no longer suit your needs like it used to. We are all guilty of doing it —keeping clothes that were trendy or fit us once. What's the point of keeping something just so it can collect dust and take up space in your dresser drawer? Same goes for furniture. You may have loved the look of that oversized white sofa when you purchased it, but now after a couple of messy kids it has transformed into an obnoxious shade of orange.
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When moving into a smaller living space, such as a townhouse or condo, it is important to remember that quantity is not all that you need to be wary of. The size of furniture also matters. For instance, take a look at the dimensions of your living room or bedroom. Does the decor and furniture fit comfortably without looking cluttered? If not, it may be a good idea to invest in some condo-sized furniture. Struggling to find the right fit? Our team at White Dahlia Design would be happy to help source some appropriately sized furniture pieces for you!
3. Decide What Sparks Joy for You
In the words of Marie Kondo, the tidy queen herself, only keep possessions that "spark joy" for you. Discard, donate or sell the rest. While many items may seem valuable or meaningful at the time, if they don't spark joy for you when touch or think about them, how meaningful are they really? When downsizing, it is important to remember that you can't keep everything, unless you want to spend a ton of money renting a storage unit.
Feel bad getting rid of perfectly good items? We know one thing that will have you jumping for joy — making some cash-money! There are lots of buy and sell groups, such as Facebook's Marketplace or Kijiji, where you can post your gently used or brand new items. Selling your used items is a great way to supplement your moving budget, because it gives you a little more wiggle room to work with. Say your dining room set no longer fits in your downsized home, you can sell it online and make money towards a more compact set. Now that's a sweet deal!
4. Think "Multipurpose"
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When shopping for your downsized home, aim for items that have multiple uses. Storage coffee tables, rollout couches and storage ottomans are great additions to any small space. One issue many homeowners encounter when downsizing is that their new homes lack vital storage space. These solutions allow you the freedom to live comfortably without getting bogged down in clutter.
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Don't know what to do with all of your favourite books or blankets? Plop them into your storage coffee table, ottoman, or sleeper when not in use! Have guests staying over? Don't feel embarrassed by your lack of square-footage. Invest in a convertible sleeper. These lifesavers are perfect for entertaining because you can tuck them away when you need more floor space, and unroll them when you need an extra bed. How amazing is the stylish couch we sourced from Wayfair, above?
5. Capitalize on Floor Space
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TV stands are great, when you have the floor space to house them. When downsizing, utilize your wall space as much as possible. Trust us, it will save you from a lot of bruises! TV wall mounts are genius inventions for this reason. They allow you to watch your favourite shows in a confined space without tripping over bulky stands. Foldable desks are some of our favourite space saving solutions. You no longer need a full room designated to an office space. Simply extend the unit when you need to get some work done!
Downsizing can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. You just have to know how to work with what you have effectively. At White Dahlia Design, that is what we are here for — to help you design a space that fits your lifestyle and needs! Get in touch with us to make your downsizing experience easy!