Moving to a small space has a lot of perks. Smaller homes are more energy efficient and require less cleaning and maintenance. Since you can't fit as much in a smaller house, moving in is also a lot faster. If you're preparing to move to a smaller home, there are some steps you should take beforehand. These will save you time during your move.
A smaller home means less space for your belongings. Unless you want to live in clutter you will need to downsize by letting go of some of the stuff you own. Less stuff will help to maximise your space, and make your new place look bigger and airier.
To ensure your new space isn't crowded, you'll need to declutter your current space and get rid of some furniture. Sketching out a rough floor plan of your new home can help you plan during the downsizing phase. Having a rough idea of how much furniture you can take to your new home will make moving easier. This way you'll how much furniture you can take with you and what items won't fit. It's easier to get rid of the stuff you don't need before you move. Otherwise, you'll waste money, time and effort during the move and your new house will be crowded while you sell off your belongings. Don't be afraid of overdoing the downsizing stage. Most items of furniture can be easily replaced and it's likely you can fit items that better fit your new, smaller home. For example, a coffee table with built-in storage would be a better option for a small lounge than one without.
Take into account the large pieces of furniture that you own and whether or not they will fit in your new home. Taking measurements is the best way to gauge whether you need to hold onto these items of furniture or not.
To help you decide whether to bring your large pieces of furniture and appliances, take the floor measurement and the layout of your new house. Analyze which of your pieces of furniture and appliances will best suit and fit in your new space.
After doing all the necessary preparations, your moving day has finally arrived. Now comes the challenge of fitting your large and bulky items inside without causing any damage.
Disassembling your large pieces of furniture will make the moving process a lot easier. Beds, couches, dressers, cabinets, tables and bookshelves should be disassembled if possible before you transport them to your new home.
Upon the arrival of your belongings to their destination, do not make the mistake of getting all your smaller items first inside your home before the larger ones. You will need enough space to move your larger items properly. Move your largest items inside first so that you can move them into the right spot with ease.
Now that you have moved your belongings into a smaller home, the next challenge is maximising the space in your new home. Here are some tricks you can use to get started.
Be strategic with your storage. Install wall-mounted shelves to free up more of your floor space. Transform underutilised spaces e.g corners or under your stairs into storage for appliances.
Use multi-functional furniture such as an ottoman or bench that has a storage space inside. Convertible or expandable furniture will save you space as it can be packed away after use.
Install sliding doors, instead of swinging doors. This will definitely save you some floor space. These are particularly useful for wardrobes, especially if your bedroom doesn't have much room between the bed and the closet.
Stick with light colours when painting your walls. It will brighten up your space and will make your home look bigger and more open.
When decorating, avoid choosing too many items with busy patterns as it can make your space look smaller and more cramped. Accent colours can help you spice up your space without overdoing it.
Place mirrors strategically inside your home to make the space appear bigger. Large wall mirrors also help create the illusion of space.
Allow natural light inside your home to make your space look airy and bright. Avoid overdressing your windows with heavy curtains and go bare or use thinner fabrics that let the light in.
Install multi-functional lighting like wall-mounted sconces. This will not only add light but will save table space.
Keep your items organized and avoid buying items that can only make your space crowded. Making sure your space is clean and free of clutter will make living in a small space comfortable and cosy.
In conclusion, the trickiest part of the process is during the move, especially if you don't have enough experience in doing so. It requires skills and enough knowledge because a mistake could potentially lead to damage to your belongings or worst an injury to you.
If you’re not confident enough doing such a daunting task, there are experienced Auckland movers or Wellington movers to handle it. You can use Wise Move to easily gather multiple quotes from different moving companies in NZ that are already pre-qualified. They will ensure the safety of your items from picking them up in your old place to delivering them to your new home.
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