The average size of a newly built home in the U.S. was 2,687 square feet in 2015. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) has found that’s over 1,000 square feet more than homes built in 1973. But there’s another housing movement that’s been gaining a lot of attention.
Shows like Tiny House, Big Living have helped fuel the tiny living craze. Millennials and Baby Boomers alike are lining up for smaller homes that are easier to maintain. There are many benefits to downsizing, but it’s not right in every living situation.
Here are a few things everyone should consider before making the decision to downsize.
Does Downsizing Make Sense For Your Family?
Before you start looking for a smaller home, there’s one question you have to ask. Is downsizing the best move for your family?
If you have small children or there’s a chance your family may grow in the future it might not be the best time to downsize. If you’re thinking about transitioning to a job where you work from home having extra space could help. On the other hand, if you’re about to be empty nesters maybe now is a good time to start considering a smaller home.
What Moving Logistics Will You Need to Work Around?
Just because you have less to move that doesn’t mean the moving process is going to be easier. The seasoned movers at North American note that when people are downsizing often that means they’re going from a home to an apartment.
Moving into an apartment building comes with a number of logistics. For starters, there’s a good chance you’ll have to carry everything up a flight or two of stairs. Getting the truck parked and secured for off-loading is another factor you have to consider. Sometimes small moves are just as difficult as moving everything in a huge home. In those cases DIY moving may not be the best option.
What Can You Live Without?
Downsizing inherently means getting rid of a lot of stuff. The smaller you go the more you’re going to have to give away, donate or sell. For some people, it’s a liberating experience. You can spend less on a smaller home and have less stuff to worry about.
For others, it’s a disturbing experience. Memories are tied to the things we own, and that makes us sentimental. It can be hard to let things go. But if you want to live in a smaller space you have to make certain concessions. One trick that works is to imagine that you’ve lost everything. What would you replace? That will tell you everything that should be keep and what to consider purging.
Where Are You Going to Store Extra Belongings?
Even after you donate, sell or get rid of things you no longer want or need you still may not have enough space. It may not make financial sense to get rid of high ticket items like tools, appliances and furniture. When that’s the case you’ve got to figure out where you’ll store extra belongings before you move.
A storage unit is always an option, but it can completely negate the savings of downsizing, especially if you need a large space or specialized storage. It may be possible to store your belongings at someone else’s property or improve the storage options at your new place to maximize the storage. Either way, you’ll need to decide where the surplus will be stored in advance.
Will You Need to Replace Furniture?
One of the first things that has to go when a person downsizes is large furniture. An oversized couch or piano takes up a lot of valuable space for one item. Not to mention large furniture can make a small space seem smaller. Many people find it’s easier and more realistic to buy new furniture that fits the space instead holding on to what they already own.
Are You Ready to Get Organized?
Going small means being more organized. In a smaller space, a little bit of clutter will look like a lot. Organization also helps you maximize the space you have. If organization isn’t your strong suit you may want to hold off on downsizing.
Answering the questions above will help you decide if it’s time to downsize. If you’re still on the fence take a weekend to start the purging process and see if it’s something that will fit your lifestyle.
