Your downsizing experiences

dramaticat

I'm looking at downsizing from a 5-bed house to a 3/4 bed house. I've seen a couple of houses that are possibles – the first is larger than the second, which is the smallest size property I would consider. They each have their plus and minus points that are making it difficult to work out what would be the best choice. I've obviously got my own priorities, but I'd be interested to hear your stories to see if there's anything I've not thought of. What did you take into consideration when moving to a smaller property and did it work out for you?

HRH_MUngo

We moved from a three-bed terrace house with a large dry cellar to a two-bedroom semi-detached bungalow with no storage at all.  Our (first time) buyers were happy for us to leave  pieces of furniture that we could not take with us.  We have now refitted the bungalow, but it still does not have much storage, we have to be really creative about it; such as using a small wardrobe as a broom cupboard and a wicker hamper as a coffee table and storage for towels (it's a Harrods hamper that my husband got from the tip!). We also have three sheds.

Our priority was to move to a better neighbourhood.  We were prepared to compromise on the house to get the areas we wanted.  That we got a bungalow within our budget was a bonus.

You may have different priorities, but the main thing I have found amongst my own downsizing friends, is that they are reluctant to get rid of furniture.  Bear in mind, if it is a smaller house, you will have to!  Also remember, you don't need four dinner services and fifteen  saucepans.  Keep it to the minimum.

babyblade41

I've downsized from 6 bedroom to 3 .. the reasons being there are only 2 of us and we were going back to where we lived all our lives before the move  and is ridiculously over priced...however  first piece of advice , only take the most important items that have sentimental value as nothing else will fit or look right .
We stored so much for a year only to find we couldn't fit it in anyway .

I will be downsizing again in about 4 years and won't make the same mistake of taking loads of "stuff" again

I will say using all the rooms is great and loving the feeling of a lived in house rather than rattling about in a mausoleum 

rubble2

We moved from a 6 bed Edwardian semi to a 4 bed modern detached when the children left home. I would echo the above comments, be ruthless in getting rid of everything you don't think you will need before the move  - and then get rid of half of what is left!

Smodlet

We got rids of loads of stuff... We still moved far too much and have had to get rid of loads more.  Right now I am looking at a nest of tables which has been stuck under a desk since we moved here.  I had forgotten about them so thanks; I think it is high time for a charity shop visit.

I think you really need to be ruthless BUT think long and hard before you ditch stuff which holds sentimental value as you will never replace it; also do not reject real bargains as you will pay more if you decide to replace them.

Flugelhorn

we are going from large 5 bed  to er smaller 5 bed. still working hard on the declutter and chucking stuff out, quite cathartic. 

youth_leader

I've just moved from my five bed house to a two bed cottage I'm renting and it is already full with the small amount of furniture I took with me.  I have taken my sofa and chair, rug, two king size beds,  one bedside cabinet and a chest of drawers, and my daughter's small desk.   There's a built in wardrobe - unfortunately I didn't open it when I viewed, it's only got hanging for shirts/tops but lots of shelves.  I'll be selling/donating my two/three door wardrobes, dressing table and ten/six drawer chests.  Kitchen was too small for my table so I've taken an old drop leaf, it'll do for now.  I'm shocked at the lack of space, but hope to get used to it.  Smaller bills will be a bonus  

phoebe1989seb

We've downsized a few times since DS went to university in 2007 -

Initially we sold a large (3500 sq ft) 6 bed and bought a 1600 sq ft house that on paper was only a 2 bed but in reality had 6 ground floor 'reception' rooms including a conservatory in addition to the 2 bedrooms upstairs. This suited us as we had loads of stuff - 11 sofas in the 'big' house 

Next we went back up to a 5 bed, then down to a 4 and most recently down again in 2018 to a two bed cottage, although at 1400 sq ft it's still not particularly small, lol!

It also has far more outside space which was an important criteria for the move.

We've probably got rid of two thirds of our furniture etc, most was antique (arts & crafts/art nouveau) which was a real struggle as it had been collected over many years. There are some items I deeply regret selling as I won't ever be able to get the same things back. 

We've also found storage an issue, although we had to get rid of some storage (modern, not original) in order to reinstate the third bedroom which the cottage once had. Like a previous poster, we've been creative with storage inside and out, one of our best buys being a huge original larder that DH incorporated into the new kitchen (for both food and broom cupboard stuff) - a room which we've made deliberately large by reconfiguring/knocking through, so we have at least one decent sized space   

Overall we're happy to have lost square footage for being in a location that is so much lovelier than our previous home......although sometimes I feel a bit confined on winter's days when I can't get out into the garden we're creating......

dramaticat

babyblade41 said:

I will say using all the rooms is great and loving the feeling of a lived in house rather than rattling about in a mausoleum 

This!

dramaticat

phoebe1989seb said:

We've also found storage an issue, although we had to get rid of some storage (modern, not original) in order to reinstate the third bedroom which the cottage once had. Like a previous poster, we've been creative with storage inside and out, one of our best buys being a huge original larder that DH incorporated into the new kitchen (for both food and broom cupboard stuff) - a room which we've made deliberately large by reconfiguring/knocking through, so we have at least one decent sized space   

Overall we're happy to have lost square footage for being in a location that is so much lovelier than our previous home......although sometimes I feel a bit confined on winter's days when I can't get out into the garden we're creating......

The smaller of the two houses I'm considering at the moment is modern, so storage is an issue. If I go for a second viewing, I need to have a really good look at what space there is and how I can fit my stuff in. Although that means having completed the decluttering and knowing exactly how much stuff you have to store. I was going to do that over the last couple of years but .. you know. My approach now is to get rid of as much as I can of the large stuff, mostly to clear space in the garage where I can put smaller stuff like paperwork that's going to take some time to go through, so that I can get my house on the market.

The older house is 1950s with all sorts of cupboards in nooks and crannies, plus the fitted cupboards the current owner has installed in the kitchen and bedroom. While there's more space in this house for furniture, I think I still need to be careful to ensure it will take everything I need and not be blinded by its general lovely feeling :-)

Now wondering how I've managed to accumulate so many bookcases over the years ...

penny_less

We downsized last year from a 3 bed 2 reception house, to a 2 bed 1 reception bungalow. I have no regrets, the area we now live in is a on the edge of a quiet village where before  our house was on a busy road in a town.
I decluttered mercilessly, in fact when we arrived I found I only had one excess carrier bag of stuff to take to the charity shop!
In truth, it’s been quite freeing- I only have the things I really care about and like, and there is so much less to clean/maintain.
If I miss anything, it’s the second reception room- but the positives far outweigh the negatives.