When you separate and sell the family home, it’s almost a given that you will move into a smaller home. This is called downsizing.
First reaction: Where the hell will I put all my stuff?
Second reaction: What will people think (including my kids)?
Third reaction: I feel like I’m going backwards here.
These thoughts are perfectly normal, but we are here to tell you that downsizing is not all bad.
In fact, there are many great benefits of living in a smaller home.
Stick with us while we put a positive spin on downsizing your home.
Why downsizing your home isn’t all bad
IT TAKE’S HALF THE TIME TO CLEAN IT, YAY
At the top of our list is less cleaning!
Just think … less floorspace to vacuum and mop, less bathrooms to clean, even less kitchen worktop to wipe.
There is no doubt that halving the size of your home will radically reduce your cleaning regime, which we know any mum would agree is a huge bonus.
Further reading: 10 Hacks to get the housework done faster.
LESS COSTS, LESS FINANCIAL STRESS
Now we’ve cut the housework, let’s cut the costs.
Smaller homes are waaaay kinder to your wallet.
Think less electricity to heat, cool and light your home, alongside smaller rates and/or rental bills and less maintenance costs.
Remember, as sure as night follows the day, less bills mean less stress.
Further reading: How to save money on your electric bill.
MORE CASH FLOW
When you’re not throwing money at a big property and serving scary bills, you will free up money and create a healthier cash flow.
Having cash flow is “The Best” because you can put aside money for rainy day/emergencies which will give you great peace of mind. Plus, kick-starting other financial goals such as saving for a holiday, a new car … but hopefully not a larger home!
MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
We’ve talked about saving money on bills around the home. And this is great for our bank balance but let’s take it a step further and look at how we’re saving our beautiful planet.
Yes, a smaller home is definitely more environmentally friendly than a whopper home.
According to The Conversation:
“Smaller dwellings tread more lightly on the planet and on your pocket. Each additional square metre of brick-veneer house costs on average an extra A$1,245 for construction. Combined with the resulting heating, cooling and lighting energy bills, the total cost per square metre exceeds A$1,988. Removing a 12-square-metre bedroom from your next house can therefore save around A$24,000 and avoid the use of huge quantities of resources.”
SMALLER HOMES ARE COSY
Come on, do you really want a huge, cavernous home that your family rattles around in?
Not us!
Give us a homely, cosy space any day.
Big homes are a status symbol that aren’t necessarily pleasant to live in. And it’s not just the thought of all those hours of housework.
A smaller space which is well-thought out and created with family in mind is much more preferable than a palatial place where your words echo off the walls.
DON’T NEED TO TEXT YOUR KIDS WHEN DINNER’S READY
Talking of homes being too big.
If you’re shouting yourself hoarse or texting your kids that dinner’s ready, this is a sure-fire sign that downsizing is a good move.
Building on this, a smaller home can encourage better communication all round as you learn to live in closer proximately to one another which requires empathy and respect from everyone under the one (smaller) roof.
DOWNSIZING YOUR HOME: THE GOOD PARTS
FORCED ORGANISATION
If you live in a small space you will have to be organised whether you like it or not.
Strange as it may seem, many people downsize for this exact reason: It forces them to get their sh*t together.
If you need more order in your world, downsizing might actually help.
IT COSTS WAY LESS TO FURNISH
Less floor space and less rooms, will mean less to furnish.
If you are downsizing, you can sell excess furniture to make cash on side. This is super easy to do with Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree.
If you need to refurnish, you will simply need less.
Think quality over quantity when it comes to furnishing your new smaller home. Rather than decking out five bedrooms with Ikea, deck out three with choice pieces which last longer and really accentuate the style you are after.
NO HOARDING OPPORTUNITIES
If you don’t have a great deal of storage, you won’t be able to hoard even if you’re tempted.
Problem solved!
BETTER LOCATION
There is one rule when purchasing property that has remained unchanged: Location, location, location.
Would you rather have a mansion somewhere you don’t want to live or the house of your dreams in the street of your dreams?
Being open to downsizing widens the net of your property search so you can afford a small home in a desirable neighbourhood.
LIVING THE MINIMALIST LIFE
You don’t have to be a minimalist to you downsize but we highly recommend this rewarding way of life which is so perfectly suited to small-space living.
Put simply, being a minimalist means living with less stuff and simplifying the world you live in. A basic example is having three wooden spoons when you only need one. You hold onto your favourite one and ditch the rest. (And by ditching we means selling or giving to charity.)
The rewards of minimalism just keep giving. As Minimalism Made Simple explains:
‘Overall, minimalists are happier because they have less worry, stress, and chaos in their lives. To a minimalist, material things are trivial compared to what they value most, which consists of quality time for relationships, time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, and spiritual health.’
MORE TIME TO DO THINGS YOU LOVE
It may seem crazy but downsizing your home can seriously free up time to do more of the things you love.
Think about it.
Less time doing housework. Less work to pay extortionate bills. More organised so less time looking for car keys. A better home location with reduced travel time to regular haunts such as work and school. And no Sunday’s spent cleaning out the clutter in the spare room.
Oh yes, life can certainly be good when you downsize. Never underestimate the good parts of moving to a smaller property and the positive impact it can have on you and your family.
Further reading: 10 Unusual but very cool gift ideas.
