Whether it’s because you’re looking to simplify your life or because you need to free up some extra cash, downsizing can be a great option. But before you make the jump, you should know a few things about moving to a smaller home to make the transition easier. In order for you to be completely prepared, we put together a simple guide for reducing a living space.
Know All the Whys of Moving to a Smaller Home
In the current real estate market, more and more people are choosing to downsize their homes. There are many reasons to move to a small space, but the most common ones seem to be financial. People are simply finding that they can no longer afford their larger homes, or they don’t want to keep up with the high costs of maintaining a big house.
However, there are other motives that aren’t financial in nature. Some people find that they simply don’t need all the extra space, and they’d rather have a more manageable residence. It’s especially true when it comes to the elderly population whose kids have left the nest. There are also people who want to simplify their lives and get rid of the clutter that comes with having too much space for too much stuff.
Whatever your reason may be, it’s important to weigh all pros and cons of moving to a smaller home before making a decision. Relocating to a new house, small in comparison to what you’re used to, can be challenging at first, but small house living comes with plenty of advantages. Let the following video help you find out more about them:
Understand the Hidden Costs of Moving to a Smaller House
It’s true that a small house means less maintenance, lower utility bills, and potentially lower monthly mortgage installments. But you need to be aware of some hidden costs associated with downsizing for a move before making the decision.
One cost is the potential for higher property taxes. When you sell your current residence and buy a smaller one, the assessor will reassess the value of your new place, and it could be taxed at a higher rate.
Another cost to consider is the potential need for renovations or repairs on your new place, as well as the price of the furniture that will help you use the spaces to the fullest. A small residence may need more work to make it livable, which can add up quickly. Finally, you need to think about the relocation costs. Hiring movers to help you move efficiently, getting professional packing services from a cross-country moving company, and paying for the trip itself are all expenses you’ll need to deal with when you decide to move to a new state.
Decluttering the Existing Home Is a Must
How to start the task of moving from a large home to a smaller one? When you’re considering a move to a small place, it’s important to declutter your current residence first – even if it’s a last-minute move. Making decisions about what to keep when relocating and getting rid of everything else is necessary because of the much less space you’ll have in your future house or apartment. That being said, note that decluttering will make packing before and unpacking after the move much easier, but it will also help you save on moving costs.
You can use a variety of decluttering techniques to help you with downsizing. Each approach has a special way of dividing this laborious work into smaller, more manageable pieces. Finding the one that will fit you is the key. We prepared a list of the best and most valuable long-distance relocation tips regarding decluttering.
Use a Four-Box Technique
By placing your clutter in boxes marked “Keep,” “Sell or Donate,” “Trash,” and “Storage,” you’ll be able to make decisions about every item. Belongings that are not usable anymore should be recycled or thrown away. You can make a garage sale or sell some of your items online, or you can choose Salvation Army or some other charity to donate unwanted items to those in need. If you’re planning to use a storage unit, you can have boxes reserved for the items you’re indecisive about – just make sure there aren’t too many of them.
Install Apps That Will Help You Sell Unwanted Belongings
Selling the stuff, you won’t have room for can help you even save money to move. The cash you earn from the sales might be used to buy furnishings and accessories that go better with your new house. Free apps like Nextdoor can help you sell to your neighbors without any shipping problems. You can also use Facebook Marketplace if you want to reach a wider audience or eBay if you want to sell your expensive stuff for a profit.
Pay Attention to the Furniture
Getting rid of old furniture that can’t even fit in your new house is one of the most important things on your relocation to-do list. Instead of them, search for slim furniture with multipurpose storage that doesn’t have bulky legs or armrests – smart storage ideas are necessary for tiny places. Additionally, keep in mind that furniture can appear differently in a large shop warehouse, so always measure the square footage of your new rooms as well as the space between floors and ceilings.
Remove All Unnecessary Appliances from Your New Kitchen
Kitchen counter and cupboard space can be wasted on appliances you don’t even use or need. Sadly, if they were expensive, it might be hard to rationalize getting rid of them. But there’s no point in keeping that expensive blender you bought three years ago if it’s still sitting around gathering dust. When organizing a move, think about selling it or giving it away.
You Can Maximize the Space With a Few Simple Tricks
Utilizing vertical, multipurpose household items and furniture, such as an ottoman that unfolds to expose additional storage, is the greatest approach to maximize efficiency in a compact space. Here are some relocation tips for making the most of your home’s available space.
Expand Your Kitchen’s Storage
Rely on furniture that won’t crowd floors, like tall, thin bookcases or rolling carts that you can move around the room. Small kitchens can benefit greatly from simple modifications that increase storage. Consider attaching hangers to the bottom of your cabinets for mugs and cups, or creating a floating spice rack out of magnetic strips. Don’t forget to utilize the free space you currently have, such as the inside of cabinet doors, the tops of cupboards, and the area above your refrigerator.
Use Up Your Walls to the Fullest
A small living area appears more open with wall-mounted storage or floating shelves that free up the floor. Floating shelves are ideal for reducing clutter in different rooms because they serve as both storage and display space. Even better, you may construct your own shelves by using common hardware store goods – and save money.
Choose Multifunctional Furniture
It might be difficult to find the appropriate furnishings for a tiny place. When creating a new apartment checklist, don’t hesitate to invest a little bit more on multipurpose furniture in order to make the most of your area. Here are just some of the examples:
- A coffee table with storage underneath can double as a place to store books or blankets.
- A daybed can be used as a sofa during the day and a bed at night.
- A nesting table set can provide additional surface area when needed but can be stored away when not in use.
- Baskets and bins can be excellent and stylish storage solutions.
There Are Some Ways to Make Small Rooms Look Bigger
1. Paint the walls light colors and bring in more light
Light notes give the illusion of greater space, and so does natural and artificial light. Avoid using too many busy patterns and stick to neutral colors because busy patterns can make a small space appear even tinier. To make a bold statement and accessorize, pick one or two accent colors.
2. Use mirrors to create the illusion of more space
Mirrors, glossy surfaces, and transparent materials such as glass and acrylic all contribute to the illusion that a space is larger. A coffee table with mirrors can give the appearance that items are floating in space and will highlight the patterns in the rug it is placed on. Additionally, these items can provide your new place with a truly modern look.
3. Consider the layout of the room
Tiny places usually imply multipurpose rooms, such as a living room that doubles as a home office or a playroom, so you could create zones to define the different areas. Use furniture to create a separation between the two areas. For example, you could use a couch to delineate the lounge area from the workspace. Also, remember to utilize different flooring materials and colors to define the zones further.
4. Avoid dark and heavy curtains
Avoid covering windows with thick, dark drapes. You can even avoid curtains completely or select window coverings made of thinner textiles. To create the appearance of extra height, hang the curtains above the top of the window.
Owning a Smaller Home Will Be Good for Your Mental Health
Owning a smaller residence brings some benefits that can positively affect even your mental health. With less space and clutter, you’ll have less to worry about and fewer things to keep track of. Your home will feel more cozy and intimate, and you’ll be able to focus on the things that truly matter to you.
At the same time, remember that downsizing doesn’t have to mean giving up all your possessions. You can still keep the things that are important to you. But by decluttering your place and living with less, you’ll be able to focus on what’s really important in life.
Small house living is more than just saving money. Living in a tiny place will force you to simplify your life and get rid of the things that don’t matter. This can lead to a more fulfilling and happier life. So if you’re considering downsizing your current house, don’t let anything stop you – get the best long-distance moving services and let cross-country movers help you relocate to your desired destination. It could be one of the best decisions you ever make for your mental health and overall well-being.
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Overall, Smaller Homes Can Make Your Life Better – so Don’t Hesitate to Move
Small house living can provide many benefits that make your life better. From saving money on utilities to reducing your cleaning and maintenance time or even spending more time with your family, there are several reasons why downsizing can improve your quality of life.
Once you start planning the move, make sure you choose the best long-distance moving company near you – whether you need movers from Seattle to California or movers from California to Seattle. It’s the best way to secure an efficient and safe move. Let long-distance movers deal with logistics and hard lifting, so you can focus on making plans and layouts for your future house.
