The simpler the better: your guide to downsizing your home

Many people often believe that a bigger house correlates to a better lifestyle, without considering the benefits of a smaller home. Downsizing your home means saving money, reducing your environmental impact and an opportunity for you to declutter and simplify your living space. The idea of making your home smaller can sound scary and stressful, but with the correct approach outlined in this practical guide, you will realise that downsizing your home could be one of the most rewarding and liberating experiences you could ever have.

Why downsize?

Let’s talk about why we should even consider downsizing. Here are some of the common reasons why people choose to move to a smaller home:

1. Finances

A smaller property usually means cheaper rent, property taxes, utility bills and mortgages. This will allow you to save your funds for something else in the future, such as buying a house or a car, or to save up for travelling. Alternatively, this also provides you with an opportunity to increase your budget for living costs, allowing you to spend a bit more on everyday purchases.

2. Easier maintenance

Downsizing means less rooms and space: meaning less cleaning and maintenance. This will reduce the time and money you spend on fixing and maintaining your home, allowing you to spend more time with your friends and family, your hobbies, and other personal activities.

3. The environment

Living in a smaller home helps to reduce your carbon footprint. Reduction in your consumption of resources such as electricity, water and heating directly corresponds to a more sustainable lifestyle.  

4. Simplicity

Probably the most popular motive behind moving to a smaller home is that it simplifies your life. Downsizing your living space means only keeping the things you need and value in life, enhancing a more organised and clean environment, and a sense of peace in your home.

Understand your needs

Be realistic and assess what you need in your home, based on your current lifestyle, your future and the items, furniture and appliances that you wish to keep with you. Here are some questions to ask yourself during this process:

• How many bedrooms and bathrooms do I ACTUALLY need?

• How many rooms in my home do I use regularly?

• What items, furniture or appliances can I live without in the future? What items will I still need?

• What activities, hobbies and routines are most important to me? Would I still be able to perform these activities in a smaller home?

Answering these questions will help you understand and picture an ideal home that will suit your lifestyle.

Declutter!

Downsizing gives you the chance to declutter your belongings and simplify your life. Following decluttering guru Marie Kondo’s ‘KonMari’ method will help you only keep items that bring you joy and positive energy. Be realistic and ruthless when deciding what to throw away, donate and keep: if you haven’t used it in the past year, it may be time to say goodbye to it. If you cannot let go of certain items but don’t have sufficient space to keep them in your home, consider self-storage options. Read our blog for more tips on decluttering.

Use your space efficiently

A smaller home means you need to make the most out of every inch of space. Invest in storage solutions or appliances that allow you to keep things in one place without it looking too messy or packed. Some options include using kitchen appliances that serve multiple purposes (e.g. a 2-in-1 microwave and oven), or multi-functional furniture like ottomans that provide hidden storage space. Installing wall-mounted shelves, shelving units and hanging organisers for narrow vertical spaces, and using storage containers to place under your bed and sofa are also great ideas.

Laying out your home appropriately is also important in optimising your space flow and making smaller spaces feel larger and spacious. Ways to do this include maximising natural light into your home by keeping windows uncovered and using sheer curtains, placing mirrors strategically to reflect light and create illusion of depth, and choosing furniture that fit the scale of your new home without overwhelming the space.

Practice Minimalism

Downsizing homes motivates many people to start a minimalist lifestyle. Practicing minimalism allows you appreciate the principle of ‘less is more’ by focusing on quality over quantity. Instead of purchasing unnecessary, cheap and low-quality items that only last short-term, invest in high-quality and versatile items that provide you with multiple functionalities and convenience. It is important to maintain the mindset of prioritising experiences over possessions when practicing minimalism. Instead of acquiring new material posessions, focus more on strengthening your existing relationships, passions, hobbies and interests. Transforming your home to a space that allows you to optimise this lifestyle is the goal in this downsizing journey.

Be consistent and stay organised

Keeping your home an organised and clean space is the key to successful downsizing. Come up with a system with your housemates or family in managing paperwork, belongings, and daily routines. Allocate specific rooms or sections within your home to store categories of items, and schedule regular decluttering sessions to ensure you only keep items that are necessary and that they are all in the right place. If you purchase something new, practice the one-in, one-out rule: for every new item you bring into your home, remove an existing one, to avoid accumulation of material possessions.

There you go!

Downsizing your home is not just a physical process – it’s a shift to a simpler and more intentional way of living. By following our tips to assess your needs, declutter and practice minimalism, you will be able to create a home that embodies your values and beliefs, enhancing peace and serenity, leading to a better quality of life. Start your path towards simplicity and contentment by downsizing your home: it may be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable journeys you will embark on!