3 simple tips to downsize with ease…

Downsizing has become a buzz word in recent years, with reasons ranging from a tightening property market, trending minimalist movement, to empty nesters rethinking their lifestyles.

There are countless great reasons to downsize, but people often get stuck when it comes to planning and purchasing the correct furniture and other household items. When transitioning to a smaller living arrangement,  those downsizers often try to squeeze existing furniture into a smaller space and wonder why the space becomes cumbersome and awkward.  Streamlining your new home is the first, practical step in creating a clutter free space, and installing systems to keep clutter in check.  In a smaller home, you don’t have space for clutter – you need to keep your space meticulously organised to keep everything running smoothly. To help you achieve this, there are 3 simple tips…

Tip One – Declutter

If you are planning to downsize, then decluttering prior to moving is essential. Often the size of a space is not the issue, it is that we have too much stuff! Starting immediately on decluttering and being ruthless can be difficult, with a lifetime of memories, photograph albums, collectables. Engaging a Professional Organiser can be a good way forward, they can help prioritise your belongings, and create a clear plan for decluttering. Think critically about each item you own, its purpose, and how it can be changed or used in a multi-functional way.  For example, if you have a large coffee machine, can you downsize to a small stove top option. Or if your dining room table is a large six-seater, can you purchase a smaller table and re use the chairs with the new table.

Creating a vision for your new, smaller home is also a good way to clear a path for purchasing new items. Here’s the steps to achieve this:

• Understanding the space and listing items required to make the home comfortable, and functional allows you to focus on the essentials, and avoid making knee jerk purchases that you later regret.
• Measure and draw your floorplan (or often homes come with a real-estate floorplan) then use an online floor plan site or app to add and rearrange furniture.
• Keep a record of furniture and homeware items that you see on a dedicated Pinterest board, then refer to this when considering each new addition to your home.

Tip Two – Shop with purpose

With your list of needs in hand, shop with a ruthless researching approach. Downsizing often means finding the best solution for your space, rather than compromising on quality and comfort. La-Z-Boy’s Harbor Town range is finished in superior quality fabric and leather, and is La-Z-Boy’s solution to small space living. Teaming this with homewares through out your house which are multifunctional, such as an ottoman with storage space, or a TV which doesn’t require a cumbersome unit.  Ensuring that each purchase fits with your overall vision, and is the best solution possible. Ask yourself, do you need it? Do you love it? Is it a quality item which will stand the test of time?

Tip Three – Become spatially aware
In smaller homes, rooms often need to become multi-purpose. Thinking critically about how you will use your home and making changes to the space to ensure maximum use is essential. If your new, smaller home has a built-in island bench, consider using this for mealtimes, rather than adding a dining table, or including a study nook in an entrance cupboard rather than using it to store coats (which also includes downsizing your coat collection!). You could also consider using a family size dinner table against the wall, especially a table in lighter tones, which give the impression of space. The Coventry Dining table from La-Z-Boy is a great option, with a pendant light above to define the area. A sofa can also be used to visually separate an open plan area into two spaces, and adding a rug can help define the lounge.  Again, working initially with a spatial or interior designer can help you create a vision for the space, and a plan to help you become more aware of your smaller home and needs within that space.Click here to view the La-Z-Boy Harbor Town range of lounge suites and recliner chairs.