How do you deal with moving into a smaller house? Sometimes you just need a little imagination and organization. With these tips for making your new small space work for you, you’ll soon be enjoying your new home.
Adapting to a Smaller Space
If you’ve been living in a big house for years, the idea of a smaller living arrangement can feel…well, stifling. It may be difficult at first, but it does get easier. Remind yourself that your new home will eventually feel familiar and comfortable.
What are some positive aspects of downsizing? There may be some things you’ll really enjoy about your new home. Perhaps you love the colors, the yard, the neighborhood. Maybe you’ll be in a retirement community near friends or you’ll have access to amenities you’ll enjoy. Maybe you’ll have more time to spend on your favorite hobbies. Sometimes listing off some benefits of downsizing can make it seem less overwhelming.
Once you’ve got your mind in a more positive place, what can you do about the practical issue—and arguably the biggest concern with living in a small space—where will I put everything?
One obvious solution is to declutter before you downsize (or, more positively, “right-size”). If you need some help with this process, Caring Transitions will work with you to determine what is most important for your right-sized home and new life.
And then, schedule regular time to declutter and tidy up. This will help keep your space looking and feeling more spacious.
Small Space Organization Tips
Have you ever heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder”? Keeping a small space organized is like that. When things are organized, you can spend less time looking for them, less time cleaning, and less time decluttering, while spending more time enjoying your home and doing the things you love!
These storage items can jumpstart your organizing session:
- Over-the-door storage
- Under-the-bed storage
- Hanging kitchen racks and compact dish strainers
- Wall-mounted shelves and hooks in bathrooms, hallways, and bedrooms
- Bins and baskets
- Rolling carts (these are great for the kitchen or a small bathroom!)
And these tips will help maximize the use of your space:
- Not a lot of drawers in your kitchen? Keep utensils and silverware in a ceramic pot or extra large mug to free up drawer space for other items.
- Crammed entryway or hallway? Utilize every inch of space with tall corner shelves.
- Can’t find your earbuds or your phone charger? Use a docking station for electronics—they’ll be in one place when you need them.
- Deep cabinets or cupboards? Use drawers, shelves, and dividers. A lazy susan organizer can make all the difference for a pantry or bathroom cabinet with a difficult layout.
- Trying to fit as much as possible in your closet? Install shelving or cubbies, stack drawers, hang clothes by category, use hanging shoe organizers and door hooks, and label or color-coordinate your storage bins. Before you even start rearranging your closet, try to plan what you will put in it and where it will go; this can help you decide what organization items to use.
In a small home, every inch matters. Make use of every last bit of space—on top of or next to the fridge, behind doors, beneath windows, at the end of a hallway, or under a raised cabinet.
Small Home Furniture Space Saving Ideas
Furniture can fill up a small home fast, so choose your ensemble wisely!
- Use multi-purpose furniture such as a bench with storage cubbies, a coffee table with drawers, or a table with folding ends.
- If there are some pieces of furniture from your old house that you aren’t ready to part with, you could upcycle them into more space-savvy items.
- Utilize a headboard shelf or storage at the foot of your bed, such as an ottoman or low cubby shelf.
- On a budget? Browse our CTBIDS auction or go thrift shopping to find small space furniture.
Space Saver Ideas for Homes with a Small Yard
Sometimes a smaller house isn’t the only thing you have to adjust to; sometimes it’s a smaller yard, too. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to transform a small yard into a haven that fits your style. You could:
- Plant flowers or a small garden
- Upcycle drawers into planters
- Build a bird station with a bird house, bird bath, and feeders
- Hang wind chimes and a string of soft lights on your porch
- Decorate your walkway with lanterns or a stone path
- Install a small fountain
- Use a small fire pit or grill
- Get a smaller outdoor furniture set or a small swing for your porch
- Use weatherproof outdoor storage if you don’t have a shed
Regardless of where you are in your journey to right-sizing, Caring Transitions can help you each step of the way. Learn how we can minimize the stress of your next life transition.