How to Adjust to a Smaller Home
Get Rid of Furniture
Your new home will appear much smaller than it actually is if you try to cram all of your furniture into those rooms. You might want to just downsize by getting rid of some of your furniture, or you might prefer to buy all new furniture that suits your new home. Either way, your new home should have as much floor and wall space as possible to seem larger and more open, which will soften the blow of adjusting to a smaller home.
Use Collapsible Furniture
One of the easiest ways to adjust to a smaller home is by using collapsible furniture. For example, even if you move into a one-bedroom studio apartment, a sofa bed would give you both a bedroom and a living room. If you don’t have space to spare for a kitchen table, use collapsible cardboard tables or even TV trays to compensate. You won’t want all of your furniture to be collapsible, but be flexible with furniture that you don’t use all the time.
Use Light-Colored Paint
Rooms with dark walls often appear smaller than they really are, so choose a light-colored paint for your smaller home. Pale blues, greens, reds and yellows create a bright, sunny atmosphere and create the illusion of more space. It is often said that two-tone walls can appear larger than those painted a single color. Hang pictures and prints with several feet in between each and choose a home with lots of windows around which you can hang drapes rather than blinds.
Avoid Clutter
The best way to adjust to a smaller home is to keep your home clean. Use plastic storage bins for extra clutter and have a designated spot for magazines, mail, paperwork and unpaid bills. It helps to keep dishes put away and the carpets vacuumed, as well as leaving counters free of added clutter. A clean and organized home appears much larger than one filled with junk and clutter.
Take Walks
Another way to adjust to a smaller home is by taking frequent walks. Don’t confine yourself to your home; allow yourself to get out and to experience larger spaces. Open your windows to let fresh air into your home and use your balcony or patio to avoid claustrophobia. Minimizing the amount of time you spend inside will help you to adjust.
Think About Furniture Placement
When you first move into your smaller home, play around with different ways to organize your furniture. It helps if you use the walls and corners as much as possible, leaving large open areas of carpet or tile. Try using stackable storage bins or buying a smaller dining room table to make extra room. It can also help if your organize your furniture in “weird” ways, such as with the backs of furniture in corners to create an off-kilter feeling.
When you are moving into a smaller home, look for houses or apartments that appeal to your sense of decoration and style. Choose open floorplans that have plenty of light; fewer large rooms are better than several smaller ones. Adjusting to a smaller home might take some time, but think of ways to make the best of your situation
