Downsizing: Can You Really Make It Work?

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Downsizing is a major life change that can cause anxiety to most people. Some couples who have reached the "empty nest" stage of life are most likely the ones who would consider moving to a smaller home. But how about a family who is used to having a good sized house with a backyard? Would they be able to cope with the changes of living in a smaller home?

The answer I guess is yes.

There will be a lot of things to give up but if every member of the family puts in their best effort, a smaller house would suffice. Check out these pros and cons of downsizing:

No backyard garden, no problem.

Think of it as less work. No more weeds to pull, lesser water consumption (less plants to water), no more trees to trim and dried leaves to rake. It would be still be nice to keep some plants but you will have to shift to indoor plants that are not fussy to care for.

Smaller kitchen, less to clean

For the person that does not like to spend hours cooking, a smaller kitchen would serve its purpose well. Less appliances to clean with quick and easy meal preparation. No need for fancy stuff. Just a stove, an oven, a microwave, blender, and a coffee maker. The essentials!

Overnight guests accommodation - fold-away furniture is the answer!

There are many space saving furniture available in the market today. Fold-away furniture like sofa beds, inflatable mattresses, even shelves that can double up as a table. Small apartments in Japan have fold-away furniture to save on space. It is pretty cool actually. 

Storage

Smaller homes may not have enough storage space, however, there is always a work-around for this. Before moving into a smaller place, try decluttering first. Get rid of big bulky items that would not look good or fit in your new home. Check your closets for unused clothes and other stuff. Sell them or donate them to charity. Learn a thing or two about decluttering and organizing using the Marie Kondo method. If there are items you still want to keep but can't take with you, then renting a storage unit near you would be the best option.

Organizing in your new home

Due to the limited space of a smaller home, you have to learn to make good use of the kitchen cabinets, the bedroom closets, and the under the sink cabinets. Have some overhead kitchen cabinets and shelves installed for additional pantry space. Consider getting some wood shelves for books, small indoor plants and figurines. 

In conclusion

Do not be anxious about not having enough space when moving into a smaller home. It all starts with decluttering, followed by effective organizing and voila! Soon enough, you will be settled into a lovely, cozier home. Remember... less space, less to clean. Less work, more of life.