Downsizing

Thinking of downsizing? Have your kids have left home meaning you suddenly have a lot of unused space?

Is your home too much work to maintain?

Well, you’re certainly not the first to be feeling this way and you won’t be the last. There seems to come a time in everyone’s life where downsizing seems like the best decision. If you are thinking of making a change, here are some things to keep in mind:

1. Don’t go too small too fast

You might be so anxious to downsize that you misjudge how much space you actually need. Going from a sizeable property to one with limited space and storage is a common error amongst downsizers. As you will be coming from a large property, there is the risk of feeling claustrophobic both indoors and outdoors, as your fence line may be closer to your home than you’re used to. The key is to go smaller but not too small – make sure to give yourself some space.

2. Reduce your number of rooms, but not necessarily their size

Downsizing inevitably involves reducing the number of rooms in your home. You may no longer need a second or third bedroom, but remember that the rooms you do have should be spacious enough to live comfortably. Also, you never know when guests will turn up (including the grandkids!), so you want to make sure your home can accommodate them without feeling claustrophobic.

3. Design your dream home

Having a smaller home may mean that you can splurge a little more on the areas that you use and enjoy often. Seeing as you have less rooms to build and furnish,  you may choose to install the premium appliances and features you never let yourself indulge in in past homes.

4. Zone your home

Make sure you can close off areas that aren’t being used every day. This will avoid filling them with clutter and having to clean them unnecessarily. Ensure that areas you use frequently are easily accessible and that you won’t have to move through rooms you rarely use to get to them. This way you’ll only have to maintain part of your home on a daily basis.

5. Choose your location wisely

Living too far from your kids and grandkids will make it hard for you to drop in for a quick hello. Also, they might be more hesitant to come and visit you if they’re facing a long drive. While you don’t need to be neighbours to see each other, these are just some things to keep in mind when choosing where to downsize.

6. Double use rooms

Consider using rooms for multiple purposes. For example, you can use your theatre room as a playroom for your grandkids and clear the space when they leave. While you will still have the space you need, using rooms for multiple purposes means that you won’t have to dedicate as much time to cleaning extra rooms that would generally remain empty.