Whether you’re moving for a job or find yourself needing less space, moving into a new home, particularly a smaller one, can be a difficult transition. While we often hear about how to decorate when we’re upgrading into something larger, we don’t get a lot of direction when it comes to luxury downsizing. Remember, downsizing can also mean moving up the luxury property ladder.
If you find yourself suddenly tasked with moving into a smaller home, keep these tips in mind to make the move as stress-free as possible.
Make cleaning up the first step
While cleaning is often the very last thing you do when you leave a house or apartment, when you’re moving into smaller quarters, it should be the first thing on your list. When you start cleaning your home, you’ll quickly discover just how much stuff you aren’t using or is just taking up space.
Employ the 6-month rule
It’s undeniably hard to get rid of things you have fond memories of, but if you need to reevaluate your space needs, it’s time to start donating or throwing out some of your stuff. If you have clothing, odds and ends, or even appliances that you haven’t used in the past six months, odds are that’s not going to change out of the blue. If it’s hit the half-year mark and those items are gathering dust, put them in the donation bin.
Get rid of anything that won’t fit
Whether it’s a piece of clothing that no longer looks good on your body or a chair that’s always been awkward in your living room, if it doesn’t fit, get rid of it. It may be hard to admit that your favorite pair of jeans from college are too tight or that the overstuffed furniture you inherited from your grandma takes up 99 percent of your living room space, but there’s no doubt you’ll breathe easier when they’re gone.
Consider buying for your new space
Think about the big picture before you start buying anything new for the home you’re moving to. If you’re moving to an amenity-rich luxury building, like Manhattan’s 70 Vestry, there’s a whole host of things you can ditch when you move, like fitness equipment or furniture that only gets used when guests are over, thanks to the building’s well-appointed communal spaces, like the gym and lounge. If you’re moving into a home with built-in appliances, kitchen-cluttering eyesores like that countertop microwave can finally get the boot, too.
Start with minimalism in mind
Instead of trying to get your new house together in one fell swoop, give yourself some time to get the new place set up. Start with a minimalist aesthetic and build outward from that template — you might just discover that the way you’ve styled your previous homes is suddenly feeling a bit cramped.
Just because you’re moving to smaller quarters doesn’t have to mean you reduce your quality of life. Make the most of your new accommodations by getting rid of clutter, prioritizing the best of what you do have, and figuring out how to turn another four walls into a welcoming home.
