Moving to a home with fewer bedrooms than your previous one might have been seen as a downgrade in the past. But now, with over a quarter of movers in the USA choosing a smaller home, it’s time for downsizing to get a rebrand.
Here I’ll pitch its new name: “Right-sizing”. Moving to a new place that better suits your needs, and your future. It encompasses more than just finding the right property for your new life, but the whole move itself. Read on to see how we can keep the process positive from start to finish.
Mindfully Moving
Moving home doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. The need to downsize can already stem from a tough life-change, maybe your children have flown the nest or you need to sell the house after a divorce. Thankfully, there are ways out there to keep the transition positive, getting you to your ideal home as quickly as possible. Services that offer cash-buying facilities skip the hassle of estate agents and their fees, purchasing your home with an upfront payment in as little as seven days.
If the new place isn’t ready, some of these services even offer a stay rent-free in a property, while you find your feet. Talk about making moving stress-free.
Getting Ready To Go
Before you make this change, a little preparation will go a long way. Your old home probably houses a ton of unused stuff that will crowd your cozier home-to-be.
The term ‘declutter’ is often followed with a yawn or a tight chest, but in truth it’s a freeing experience. Beyond the end goal, the very act of decluttering can be as good for the soul as a holiday.
It’s best done on your own, without your mum or your partner going “Oh look at that, you can’t throw that away!” every time you pick up an old moth-ridden jumper you’ve only worn once. From clothes to utensils, trinkets to electrics, lay each category out of its storage place and onto the floor. Yes, it will cover every surface and for a moment you’ll gasp at how much you’ve managed to hoard over the years. But that feeling will help you be ruthless as you pick up each item and ask yourself: “Does this spark joy in me”?
Some items prompt an immediate “yes!”, but that micro-second of hesitation as you ponder the answer for others will be all you need to make the cut.
Choosing The Right Home
When right-sizing, it’s helpful to think about how you live now rather than how you lived before.
Perhaps an open-plan living area will appear on your dealbreaker list if you like to entertain. A multi-use area can keep your home a hub of social activity while still economizing on size.
That, too, can extend to bedrooms in the house. A fold-out bed can house your kid during their college breaks, yet give the room the space you need to enjoy your hobbies while they’re away. It’s about living smarter, not larger. Flexible rooms can add mountains more value to your happiness over spaces you barely touch.
Right-sizing isn’t about sacrificing square footage — it’s about finding a place that truly fits your life.
