Deciding to downsize to a smaller home isn’t an easy one. It also isn’t easy when you have to downscale with family. A family of five may be comfortable in a house with 2,800 square feet or more.
However, things can get quite cramped when moving into a home with substantially less space. You can find a realtor to help you buy a smaller house that fits your budget. But how can you make a house with less square footage function well for you and your family? Keep reading to discover how you can help your large family feel comfortable in their new, smaller surroundings.
Declutter Rooms in the Home
One of the words you may often hear when improving the space of a room or a home is decluttering. This means getting rid of unnecessary stuff to make the space more comfortable and functional. Decluttering is one of the best ways to acquire much-needed space in the home. To declutter, most people throw things in the trash. If you have a lot of things to get rid of, it may be a good idea to solicit the help of a junk removal company or borrow a roll-off dumpster. However, throwing items away isn’t the only way to declutter.
If you have some items that are trash to you but could be someone else’s treasure, consider donating to the local thrift store. Additionally, if you want to make money from your old treasures, it may be a good idea to find a consignment shop for your clothing or furniture. Another idea that still brings out droves of neighbors purchasing your old items is an old-fashioned garage sale. Finally, consider selling items on marketplaces like Facebook, eBay, or Craigslist if you want one more suitable option to make money from your clutter.
Scale Down Your Furniture
Another way that you can make more room is by reducing the size of your furniture. When you have large furniture in a small space, it can make rooms in your home feel cramped or cluttered. Choosing smaller pieces can make the room feel much more proportional and provide more functionality.
Think Multifunctional Products and Spaces
You may already be aware of sofa beds which have been popular for many decades. However, there are also desks you can purchase that can turn into beds. You can even buy or create built-ins that double as seating and storage. Additionally, you may convert a staircase into a place to store clothing, winter blankets, or other items. If you’re short on space, consider purchasing such items or building a space that can serve more than one purpose.
Use Closet Space and Nooks Creatively
Do you have a walk-in closet in your new home that you aren’t using? Or do you have a mudroom or nook under the stairs that you aren’t using? Perhaps you can convert these spaces into something a bit more creative. For example, downgrading to a new home may have caused you to lose out on that home office space with the perfect view that you previously had. So, instead of reducing the space in your bedroom by adding an office, why not consider converting your walk-in closet into a dedicated office space? Likewise, if that area under the stairs isn’t doing much but collecting cobwebs, add a built-in bench that can double as a seating and extra storage for children’s toys or seasonal items.
Consider Storage Options
You don’t always have to store items in your home that you aren’t using. For instance, if you don’t know what to do with excess furniture, appliances, or clothing, you can rent a storage facility to store them until you decide what to do with them. Unfortunately, the costs of long-term storage can become quite pricey. So, it may be a good idea to use this only as a temporary option.
Get the Help of an Interior Designer
If you’ve done all you can to make space in your smaller home, but you still don’t have enough room, it may be a good idea to get help from an interior designer. Not only are they skilled at improving the beauty of spaces, but they can also help with functionality.
Current housing market insights reveal that finding a home for first-time or seasoned home buyers is quite challenging. Inventory is low, and competition is fierce. Getting the perfect-sized home for you and your family may not be easy. So, if your new place happens to be less roomy than your previous one, these strategies will help you get comfortable and start loving your new, smaller home in no time.