The era of the McMansion is coming to an end. Families are recognizing the benefits of downsizing to smaller homes over enormous showplaces.
When was the last time you used your formal living room, guest room, media room, or dining room?
How much do those unused rooms cost in your mortgage, electricity bill, furniture and accessories, property taxes, insurance bills, and time/money spent cleaning those rooms?
Consider downsizing to a smaller condo/townhome, cottage in the country, or an apartment in the city.
If you are thinking about downsizing, here are some interior designer tips & tricks to help with the transition.
photo courtesy of mrkumm flickr.com/photos/mkumm/3716836335/Purge
Purge what you don't use.
You should purge your home once a week for at least a month.
This can be very difficult because most people are sentimental, however many people find that getting rid of stuff is liberating and makes them feel like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders.
Getting rid of stuff is an absolute necessity for downsizing.
Your high quality items can be sold online at eBay or Facebook Marketplace. You can donate your items that you don't feel like selling.
Once you think you have purged everything, wait a week and purge again.
You might need to purchase a paper shreader #ad to shread your documents.
Many items that once were highly valued no longer have much value. If you are holding on to something because you think it is valuable, research your exact item online to see if it is still valuable. You can take a photo of the item using the Google Lens app to help you search for it's value online. Make sure to find the EXACT item from the same manufacturer in the same condition since damage greatly reduces the value of an item. Also, many "knock off" items were created that are lesser quality than the original, so don't confuse the original and the lesser quality knock off.
An item's value is determined by its quality, rarity, and desirability. Often collectibles have 1 or 2 very rare items that are valuable, however the majority of the collection is only worth a few dollars. Many items were trendy and highly desirable, however the trend has come and gone. These less desirable items are not very valuable and should be donated unless you absolutely love them.
Think Differently
Consider new ways of doing things.
If you normally save every bill, consider shredding them or scanning them into your computer. You can pay your bills online instead of getting a paper statement.
Consider using a small laptop instead of a desktop.
Do not over purchase groceries that will not fit in your pantry (avoid wholesale clubs).
Less is more when downsizing.
Start taking up less space in your current home to get used to living with less.
Neat and Tidy
You will need to be very orderly and organized if you downsize.
Create a place for everything and keep it there.
Find unused space in your new home and turn that area into a closet, bookcase, or storage cabinet.
Even consider space inside your walls, such as under your stairs, as places to store items.
Dual Purpose
Purchase items that serve more than one function when downsizing.
You can get a platform bed that has clothing storage underneath instead of a separate bed and dresser.
You can get a sofa that converts to a guest bed instead of a guest bedroom.
Your dining room can double as a home office.
Your coffee table ottoman can have storage inside instead of having an entire closet filled with stuff.
Seasonal Storage
Store items that are out of season.
If the season is winter, you can store your summer clothes under your bed or at the top of your closet to make more room in your bedroom closet.
Inform Others
Make sure your friends and family are aware that you are downsizing so they do not buy presents for you that will not fit in your new smaller home.
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