Have you recently become an empty nester? When the kids leave the house it can be hard to deal with, especially with so much newfound space! Hallways may seem quiet, areas of the house may no longer be used, and their rooms become a space that harbours clutter and unwanted clothes and knick-knacks. If this sounds like something similar to what you’re experiencing, it may be time to consider downsizing.
Moving out of the suburbs, trading in your space, and leaving a location you’ve been in for years can be a tough adjustment. However, finding a space that checks the boxes and allows you to better adjust to this new lifestyle will be freeing, and the change you need to move on in this new phase of your life. Don’t worry, the kids will visit, and you can still have space for them - just not as much.
Here are a few creative ways to make a smaller space work for you and the needs of your family:
Up and Out!
Get rid of your clutter and begin to let go of the items that are weighing you down. You don’t need to keep that spelling test that Sally wrote in Grade 2. When looking at what you plan on taking, selling, and donating, it’s important to think strategically. If there were a flood or fire, which items are irreplaceable and bear the most sentimental value? That is where you should start.
Give Yourself Time
Focus on one room at a time and give yourself at least a month, if not more to go through everything. Don’t rush the process and find yourself regretting your decisions to the above question later. This is an emotional time, as well as a laborious one. Don’t rush the process.
Find Inspiration
Visit various open houses, show homes, and townhouses near you to gain inspiration for your new space. What colours are most commonly used in these spaces, which ones drew you in, and which ones made the room feel small and empty? It’s also important to look to others to see what storage solutions are working for them. In a smaller space, storage might require a bit of creativity.
Remodel and Renovate
Once you know which items are staying and which are going, plus the look and feel you want in the home, it’s time to begin remodelling. Nothing should hold you back from creating your dream home in the space you have chosen. Try talking to a pro to find out how to maximize every square-inch of your new place. It’s important to do this before you make the move, so that your space is functional and move-in-ready when the day finally arrives.
Play with the Space
Once you have moved in, you might find that certain storage solutions that you thought would work, actually end up hindering the space – so play with it a little. Get creative and find storage options that will conceal all of your necessities and leave your space feeling open and clean, such as under bed storage, entryway storage benches, custom-built closets, vertical storage, built-in cabinets and more.
Do you have any small space storage or design tips? Share them in the comments below!
Let us help you create a space that fits your lifestyle and makes you feel like home during this new transition in your life. Custom cabinetry can be the perfect solution because you’re not limited to standard sizes, looks, and finishes that don’t fit your space.
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