Whether you’re looking to downsize out of necessity to save some money or to simply live a simpler more minimalist lifestyle, there are many things you can do from decluttering to organizing and redesigning your space to make it work better for you and to fit your needs without sacrificing those comforting vibes. Ready to begin reimagining your new space?
1. Tiny Home with Smart Layouts
The first step when downsizing is to minimize the space you have to work with. This could be moving into a smaller home or studio living space. The smartest thing to do before moving your stuff in is to look at the layout and decide if everything you own fits. Determining how much space you must dedicate to living areas, bedroom space, and dining will simplify the arrangement.
2. Mindful Decluttering
Making space for more functional items is detrimental to downsizing. You can try out Marie Kondo´s technique of only keeping items that “spark joy” and getting rid of things that no longer fulfill specific purposes. Keeping the occasional sentimental piece is not frowned upon, but mindful decluttering prioritizes what directly contributes to your desired lifestyle.
3. Storage Pods & Offsite Solutions
Sometimes, new places don’t have the capacity to hold all of your belongings, and it’s good to recognize this early. Downsizing does not necessarily mean you must get rid of the stuff you cannot keep close. Switching to storage pods and off-site solutions for seasonal items and loose ends allows you to keep things without crowding your living space. This way, you can pull things when needed and store out-of-season items.
4. Sliding & Pocket Doors
A good space-saving alternative to traditional swing doors is sliding and pocket doors. They do not take up doorways and take up only wall space when opened. Pocket doors slide into a cavity within a wall, keeping it hidden while open, which is an even better way to save space.
5. Multi-Functional Furniture
When downsizing, you need to prioritize functionality without sacrificing aesthetics. It is better to fill the space with furniture that has multiple uses in a confined space. Multi-functional furniture takes up some space while delivering several functions, making it the ultimate space-saving trick. An example is sofa beds that you fold out in the evening to sleep and put back in, opening up more space for morning activities. Another is a kitchen island with spaces for chairs to be tucked that turn into a working space.
6. Built-In Furniture
Having furniture built into the space itself delivers functionality and maximizes space efficiency. These structures improve storage capacity while providing a cleaner, minimalistic look. Fixtures like shelves and cabinets are built-in furniture that you can try out.
7. Wall-Mounted TVs
Mounting your TVs to the wall eliminates the need for bulky TV stands or entertainment units. It also helps free up floor space, allowing for other furniture and a more expansive walking space. This is an upgrade since the mounted TV hardware can be adjusted to the desired viewing height and angle.
8. Underbed Storage
Removing furniture can mean losing storage space, which means items are in the open. Tucking belongings under the bed is a good way to maximize the space. You can get affordable under-bed storage organizers such as flat boxes, rolling storage bins, and vacuum-sealed storage bags to fill up unused space.
9. Vertical Storage Solutions
When horizontal space is limited, the next thing to do is work up. Vertical storage solutions use wall space, keeping the rooms feeling open. Floors aren’t cluttered, and vertical storage can combine storage with decor. Wall-mounted shelves are great for books or toiletries and can be kept open or enclosed for a cleaner look. Door-mounted organizers, like hang racks or pocket organizers, are great for storing shoes or cleaning supplies.
10. Smaller Dining Sets
A complete dining set can take up a lot of unused floor space and isn’t optimized, especially if a disproportionate number of people live there. Getting compact designs perfect for solo living, couples, or small families prevents the area from being cramped. These smaller tables can double as workspaces and are easier to move, fold, or tuck away when needed. Using bench seating and placing it along a wall is another way to save space and seat more people.
11. Compact Bathrooms
Maximizing bathroom space is easier than you think, with multiple imaginative layout possibilities. Replacing bathtubs with walk-in or corner showers, installing floating sinks, and going for wall-mounted toilets take up less room and expose more floor area. Smaller bathrooms also require reduced cleaning and maintenance, making them cheaper. Use lighter colors and reflective materials to make small bathrooms feel larger, and install lighting over and under cabinets to add depth and brightness.
12. Minimalist Bath Products
With a smaller bathroom area, it is best not to crowd it with multiple bottles and packaging. Choosing multi-purpose bathroom cleaners and more compact tools, and storing only essentials in the bathroom keeps the small space from cluttering.
13. Capsule Wardrobes
Clothes take up quite a bit of space, and larger closets waste space when downsizing. Switching to capsule wardrobes, you can style multiple outfits, lessen clutter and the need for a bigger storage area. The first step to building a capsule wardrobe is to avoid unnecessary pieces or items you won’t find yourself wearing regularly or more than once.
14. Downsized Kitchen Tools
Having kitchen tools that serve niche purposes is convenient if you have the space to store them. If not, it would be best to go for only the essentials with multiple purposes. Switch to handheld mixers that take up less space than stand mixers, and purchase only the appropriate pots and pans for your expected cooking needs.
15. Cleaning Supply Consolidation
Most cleaning supplies break up use into multiple products when, in reality, a good multi-purpose cleaner does just the trick. Fewer bottles, tools, and bins free up valuable storage space and reduce clutter. Doing this also simplifies cleaning, makes tracking what you have easier, and saves money on rarely used products.
16. Indoor-Outdoor Flow
When downsizing, it is just as important to allocate dedicated outdoor space as well as indoor space. An outdoor space keeps you connected to nature and allows a seamless transition to make small interiors feel more spacious. Natural light and airflow are ensured, and you give purpose and function to outdoor areas, which is the core of downsizing. Even a small patio, balcony, or courtyard is enough of an extension to expand your living space.
17. Shared Community Spaces
A small space does not mean you should sacrifice community-shared areas and isolate yourselves. Shared spaces reduce the need for private spaces like guest rooms, offices, or large yards. Allowing shared spaces provides access to amenities you couldn’t fit into a dedicated space. Shared spaces also mean fewer duplicate items since shared resources are also welcome in this space. Having a lounge or standard room with table space to work on or a space dedicated to fitness and wellness saves the need for bulky equipment in private areas.
18. Smart Lighting & Mirrors
Proper lighting is a good way to enhance space perception. Well-spaced lights and mirrors give an illusion of a more open and airy room, helping compact areas feel larger. Smart lights can be dimmed, color-tuned, or scheduled, removing the need for more fixtures. Mirrors can be built into the walls or integrated into furniture to save wall space and add function.
19. Room Rotation
When downsizing, you may feel that once you have one layout that fits everything, you are stuck with that forever. On the contrary, with good planning, you can choose furniture that allows for rotation while keeping the same space and aesthetics. It is good to see the versatility of furniture and the space to maximize the possibilities you have with the space.