When discussions around downsizing arise, it is often linked to retirement or an empty nest; both milestones that you may approach later in life. However, the reality is that downsizing is for anyone, at any age or stage in their home-owning journey.
There are many benefits to moving somewhere smaller and, with an average of 200,000 downsizers in the UK each year, it now represents a significant portion of the market.
In this blog, we have picked some of the positive aspects that come with downsizing and can bring you closer to the type of home and lifestyle you want to enjoy.
Smaller home, smaller footprint
If you are keen to live more sustainably and reduce your impact on the planet, owning and running a smaller home will likely reduce your energy output – as well as the costs associated with it.
According to UKPower, the average gas consumption currently stands at around 8,000kWh for a one or two-bedroom house, with electricity consumption approximately 2,000kW. These figures rise to 12,500 kWh of gas and 3,100kWh of electricity for a typical 3 or 4-bedroom house.
Furthermore, when thinking about downsizing to a new build – particularly a Grace Homes property – it’s likely that the EPC rating will be much higher. All our new homes are built to EPC A-ratings and feature technology including photovoltaic solar panels, electric vehicle charging ports and hybrid inverters ready for a home battery to store excess generated energy.
Read more about our commitment to sustainability here.
Gain more ‘you’ time
A smaller home can also mean more time and money to reconnect with interests and hobbies by physically reducing the amount of space to look after.
It’s no secret that looking after a large home can be time-consuming and requires dedication, especially if you also have a bigger garden and more external space to maintain.
Downsize and declutter
Studies have shown that people living in cluttered spaces often experience increased cortisol levels; a primary stress hormone. This can lead to heightened anxiety and reduced focus with the chaos of clutter causing chaos in our minds, making it difficult to relax or concentrate. Decluttering can significantly improve mood and mental health, promoting a sense of control and accomplishment which in turn boosts self-esteem and can even improve sleep quality.
Opting to downsize is a chance to start fresh and take with you the things that truly matter, making way for a new and exciting future.
Grace Homes buyer Mrs Bowen, explained how she approached the task after downsizing to The Fieldings – our small development near Brigstock, Northamptonshire.
“Our new home is about a third of the size of our previous home, so we had to be fairly ruthless. I was surprised at how emotional I was about parting with some of our furniture, but I knew we couldn’t bring it all with us. What’s lovely is that our children have taken some pieces, so we have kept them in the family. It was a hard process to go through, but an important one. The furniture we did bring with us has fitted in really well with the cottage style of this house, and it helped us to feel at home very quickly after we moved in.”
Cosy up to community
When raising a family, it is often about finding more space – when you are moving into your golden years, you may feel that you want more connection with your friends, neighbours and family.
Downsizing gives you more options for prioritising the things that matter and can offer a greater sense of community.
With our selection of homes across Northamptonshire and Leicestershire, there are also more opportunities to stay within communities where you have existing ties.
Thinking ahead
While the process of moving may feel like a big step to take, our friendly sales team are always here to lend a hand and help guide you through the process. Speak to us today about how we can support your downsizing journey.
Call 01536 740019 or contact us here.