Downsizing 101: How to move from a house to an apartment without a hassle

In recent years, sustainability was often cited as one of the most desirable qualities you can attain in life which shouldn’t come off as a real surprise considering all the hurdles life keeps throwing our way. Moving from a large house producing high upkeep costs to a smaller and more economical apartment definitely fits this trend.

But, as beneficial as this move can prove to be long-term, it would be overly optimistic to think that moving to a significantly lower amount of square footage and abandoning all the amenities that are associated with owning a yard doesn’t come without certain challenges.

On the contrary – downsizing almost always entails a healthy dose of compromise. But, with enough effort, creative thinking, and hard work, downsizing can be successfully pulled off. Let’s take a look at a couple of tips that should help you along the way.

Make a list of the necessary possessions

People tend to grow very attached to their possessions which often leads to hoarding and eats up too much valuable square footage. The thing is that as much as you hold some things valuable, they don’t play any role in your life – clothes you don’t wear, books you don’t read, appliances you don’t use… All these things should be sold, moved, or donated before you start packing. If you have a problem dealing with this chore, try to make a list of household items you have actually used over the last year or two and you will get a much clearer idea about the items and tools you actually need to live comfortably.

Think about the creative storage options

When moving to a smaller apartment, losing valuable storage space is the biggest challenge you need to deal with. And even with your best efforts to ditch the items you don’t use,e this problem will keep popping up whenever you lose focus. So, when you get a good idea about the apartment where you are going to move, think about creative ways to use available square footage to get more storage. In this case, you should think in the vein of maximizing the use of vertical space, leveraging furniture pieces with built-in storage space, and compartmentalizing available storage space with organizers. Storage units can also be an excellent solution if you have seasonal or sentimental items that you don’t need daily but want to keep. Utilizing closet organizers and multi-functional furniture can help maximize storage potential in a smaller space.

Look for apartments suitable for your lifestyle

Essentially, if you focus on your habits and lifestyle choices instead of some arbitrary qualities you will be able to find a home that won’t affect your daily routine in any sensible way. For instance, some spacious luxury apartments for rent in Chicago that can be found on the market today may allow you to achieve a much better work-life balance than insisting on the traditional households in the suburbs. Do your best then to single out a couple of qualities you find important – productivity, health, working out, room for family, etc. – and start looking for the apartments that fit your lifestyle. All the other pieces will fall into place soon after.

Use tailor-made furniture

The available furniture chains are doing their best to produce slim and versatile pieces designed to fit any type of space. But, when you are fighting for every square foot and uncompromised lifestyle, tailor-made furniture pieces present a much better option. Far too often, people just can’t squeeze that one giant book on the shelf or can’t do their yoga because they keep hitting the drawer. That, in turn, causes further adjustment, new purchases, and new lifestyle compromises. So, get the furniture pieces on your own terms. Once again, slim, hanging items and vertical space will be your biggest ally. A well-chosen coffee table with hidden storage can be a game-changer in smaller living spaces. This is especially useful when moving to an apartment with limited space and foundational issues that restrict remodeling options.

Leverage popular design trends

By that, we primarily mean the open floor plans that eliminate unnecessary walls and turn your living space into one big playground where you can freely roam and move to zones designed for more specific activities. This way, you are not only reclaiming space otherwise occupied by walls but also get more freedom with furniture pieces and create a flexible layout that can be easily adjusted to the current needs. Your room can be transformed from a cozy dining space to an indoor gym in a matter of minutes. Keep in mind, though, that going this route will probably require more room in your budget.

Make your new apartment smarter

The latest-gen smart home gadgets do a great job in streamlining and optimizing your life and when moving to a smaller apartment for rent in Pasadena, for example, streamlining and optimizing is exactly what you want to get. So, smart refrigerators can help you make better use of your supplies and reduce the volume of food you stockpile and ultimately throw away. Smart ovens can replace much bigger and bulkier kitchen items. Smart TVs can replace a whole range of household devices you keep around to get entertainment. If you can’t afford a massive library, get yourself a Kindle. The options you have at the table are limitless.

Think about the emotional implications

Last but not least, we would like to point out that even if you manage to create the most functional living space, moving from a giant house with a big yard to a smaller enclosed apartment can prove to be very emotionally challenging, especially if that’s your first apartment ever. Do your best to make this transition simpler by opening up the space with expansive windows, mirrors, and soft colors like blue and white. Also, scientific facts claim that indoor plants have a positive influence on your physical and mental health, so move them in as well. Having enough room to engage in your hobbies and physical activities is also very important. If your new place has signs of foundational issues, like foundation cracks, it may be a red flag, and a professional inspection might be necessary before signing a lease.

Read more: What year was my house built?

Bottom line

Moving from a house to an apartment can be one of the best decisions for those looking to simplify their lifestyle, cut down on maintenance, and embrace smaller living. However, it’s important to approach the process with careful planning, strategic storage solutions, and a focus on making the most of a smaller space. Storage units, multifunctional furniture, and a thoughtful decluttering process can help make the transition smoother. While the emotional aspect of downsizing can be challenging, creating a cozy, functional, and well-organized home will make the process worthwhile. If you carefully implement these strategies, moving from a house to an apartment can be an exciting new chapter rather than a stressful ordeal. Be mindful of home inspection reports and potential red flags when selecting your new living space to avoid unexpected issues.

Written by Lilly Miller. February 11, 2023

Lilly Miller is a Sydney-based passionate content writer and graphic designer. Loves everything about home decor, art history and baking. Shares home with two loving dogs and a gecko named Rodney. You can find her hanging out on Twitter.