Small Can Be Beautiful: Helpful Advice if You Are Looking to Downsize

There are many reasons why you might consider moving to a smaller home. Whether your motivation is family, financially or health-led these top ten tips will help you through this move.  

1. Firstly, think of your move to a smaller home as a step forward - a new start and an opportunity to live in a different way.
2. Don’t underestimate the amount of time and energy it will take to sort through your current home. Try tackling one room at a time, so that you are not overwhelmed by the process.
3. Make a list of essentials. It may help to think of these items in terms of their practical use or if they bring joy on a regular basis.
4. Measure your furniture against the floor plans of your new home and be realistic about its size in proportion to the size of the room it would go into.
5. Think about soft furnishings, as what works in one home may not suit another. For instance, heavy curtains that were designed to keep out the drafts in an older property may feel over-whelming and unnecessary in a new home.
6. Gift treasured items that you no longer need or have room for to family, friends and charities.
7. Sell any items of value that you no longer have a use for.
8. Label three boxes (or designate three rooms if you can) with ‘To Keep’, ‘To sell’, and ‘Gift/ Charity’ to help you sort through your belongings.
9. Be ruthless with what’s left, particularly anything lurking in the loft or garage. Chances are, if you haven’t used something for a year or so then you won’t ever miss it (Christmas decorations excluded of course!).
10. Consider your future self and make sure your new home will suit you, or could be adapted to suit you, if needed. Take practicalities such as security, off-street parking and minimal steps into account.

If you are considering moving to a smaller home, please get in touch and we can talk through the options we have available to you. You may also like to read about Mr and Mrs Bowen’s downsizing experience with Grace Homes here.

Call for more information 01536 740019