Moving to a small house or a space that is smaller when compared with a previous home often means assessing a number of belongings and what you can realistically fit into a tiny space.
In some cases, you will need to consider what you can get rid of, such as a big dining room table, bulky bedside tables, or large coffee table, or a large bedroom frame that can be substituted with something smaller for a specific living area.
No matter your new living space arrangements or square footage, it is important that you optimise your floor space without adding too much bulk in each room.
In this guide, we provide ideas for how to make the most of floor space in a small house, and which steps you can follow for creating space in a small space.
Let’s start by looking at what exactly is meant by downscaling, and how you can make the most of any small room in a new home.
Why do people downscale their living arrangements?
Downscaling when moving refers to moving from a larger living space to a small house or other small space such as a studio apartment or loft.
Sometimes, downscaling can be rooted in a need to change lifestyle, such as moving closer to a city for work, or wanting less maintenance for a home due to busy schedules or to save costs.
Also, couples who are retiring might be looking for a small house that is easier to manage without the many responsibilities of a large home.
No matter the reason, homeowners need to face an important decision when downscaling: How to store belongings, and whether some items need to be donated or if additional smart storage solutions need to be invested in.
Small spaces, lots of potential: Assessing your new home when downscaling
When you make the decision to downscale, you must as soon as possible review the available space you have in your new home, and prepare to work with the floor space that you have.
Ideally, you should take precise measurements of each room to determine how much space you can leverage per area, and where you will need to get creative with storage options.
Also, in areas such as your new living room, you need to consider how the layout of your furniture would work and if it will make the flow of traffic easy or hard.
This could be an indicator of whether you should sell some furniture items and replace them with smaller items that will add more “breathability” to a room.
Another part of your room-by-room assessment is to consider the height of your ceiling and how you can use vertical space for storage.
Something as simple as a large dresser that comfortably fits into a room can already become valuable storage space that will not make a small space feel even smaller.
Once you have a clear idea of the type of storage solutions you need, such as floating shelves, cabinets, or drawers, you can start planning your room-by-room layout.
Donating or selling, versus new storage ideas: Which is best?
Once you start sorting items between rooms and begin the packing process, you also need to start considering whether you should keep or get rid of some items
Here are some tips to make your decisions easier.
When to donate, sell or throw away items
Once you start the process of decluttering, the first thing you need to consider of whether there are any broken, worn out, or no longer needed items.
Also, don’t forget recycling – if there are broken items that can be recycled or even upcycled, there is no need for them to head to a landfill
You can also consider donating or selling items that are still in good condition to charity shops, such as books or even furniture items that you will no longer need.
Ensure that you know what the charity shops in your area accept certain items.
Lastly, if you prefer to sell items, consider where you will do so, as well as what you would charge per item.
These funds can certainly contribute to your move, making them worthwhile considerations.
When to consider alternative storage
Smart furniture designs, such as a storage bed, under the bed storage, multifunctional furniture, a shelving unit, small bedside table or a convenient floating shelf are furniture items that make all the difference when you need to decorate a small space.
They can serve multiple functions and allow you to keep clutter out of sight, maximising space with ease.
When to consider storage units
If you have not yet sold unwanted furniture or other items, you can consider renting a storage unit where you could keep these items until they can be sold.
Also, if you work from home and need a safe, climate-controlled space to store overflow items and documents, a storage unit can be a good consideration to keep everything safe.
How to maximise storage in small spaces
Ideally, you want your new home to be move in ready once your first moving boxes are carried over the threshold.
Here are some tips for maximising space from the start, and leveraging every part of square footage that you will be able to decorate while creating more space for belongings.
Invest in multipurpose furniture with built-in storage, such as a storage bed
Moving into a smaller living space doesn’t mean that you cannot shop for new furniture items.
In fact, you can look for furniture with built-in storage, such as a storage bed or a coffee table with storage, or even a wall-mounted desk or fold-down table to save space.
Do choose furniture with a small footprint to save space – look for those options that provide maximum storage without taking up too much space.
Items such as a daybed or sofa bed can serve multiple purposes, but don’t forget to also look for furniture with clean lines and minimal ornamentation to create a sense of openness.
Also, do not disregard closet space, which can enhance storage in a little space with room to hang coats and other items.
Small bedroom ideas: Use an under bed storage area in small bedrooms to maximise space
Beds with under bed storage bins or drawers are perfect for storing clothing, extra towels and linen in small bedrooms.
If you are planning on getting a new bedroom base and mattress, it can be the perfect opportunity to get an ideal set for a small room.
Invest in space saving furniture, such as a wall-mounted desk or fold-down table
Furniture that can be mounted on the wall or folded up when not in use is perfect for ensuring you do not add bulk to a small room.
These include wall mounted shelving or storage units that can save space.
Do remember to choose furniture that is lightweight and easy to move – this will make it easy to move items around if they do not suit a specific place in a room.
Cancel out awkward corners with custom storage solutions for small rooms
Use corner shelves or carousels to make the most of awkward corners. Consider using a custom storage solution, such as a built-in shelf or cabinet.
This way, you will not have to struggle with items that do not properly fit in a room.
How to design a small house’s interior to maximise space
Moving into a smaller home is the perfect opportunity to leverage smart interior design hacks that will make your home will airy and welcoming.
Here are some ideas to inspire your decorating.
Choose a neutral colour scheme to create a feeling of more space
A crucial part of designing for small spaces is to choose a colour palette that will not make any room feel too” busy” or cluttered.
This is where a limited colour palette can be fantastic to create a cohesive look and a welcoming room feel.
Soft pinks, pale yellows, light blues and greens are all ideas that can bring any limited space to life, so consider these colours for not just wall finishes, but also accessories such as area rugs and mats.
Make the most of windows with sheer curtains to let in natural light
Your window accessories can play a key part in enhancing the look and feel of each room.
Use sheer curtains or blinds to let in natural light, and consider using a mirror to reflect natural light and make the room feel brighter.
Use light to create a sense of brightness and airiness in the room
Table lamps or floor lamps can add light to any room, and they are cost effective solutions for illuminating any space.
If it suits your decor, you can also use a string of fairy lights to add ambience to bedrooms especially.
Do remember that you can still use lighting solutions such as beautiful chandeliers even in a small space – it is all about balance!
Remember: Always minimise wasted space when moving into a small house
Moving to a smaller home can feel like a challenge, but if you consider using clever furniture solutions with enough space and enough room, it will be easy to decorate smaller rooms – and even create a focal point per room with key items.
When you decorate with the right furniture, such as built ins and multifunctional furniture, you might just be surprised by how much extra space you end up with – whether you are decorating a small bedroom or even a laundry room!
So, always consider each whole room and how you can use items such as a side table or other furniture to design beautiful spaces with extra storage, without adding bulk.
Need more advice for downscaling solutions?
Whether you need a quote for moving to a new smaller home, or are looking for advice on how to move belongings to storage units, our expert team would be happy to assist you.
Contact us today – we look forward to hearing from you!
