Moving house is something most of us will do several times in our lifetime. And while in most cases this will be to move to a larger home each time you take a step up the property ladder, it doesn’t always work out that way. There may be occasions when you move into a smaller property than you’re used to.
This could be for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you’ve moved into a more expensive area for work and you’ve had to compromise on the size of the property. If you have kids who’ve grown up and moved out, you might have decided to downsize and live in a smaller house because you just don’t need the space anymore. Or you may just fancy a change and a new, smaller home catches your eye. Whatever the reason, downsizing brings its own unique set of challenges. You’ll need to adjust to the smaller living area you now have, but don’t worry – it’s relatively easy to make the most of your new space.
Let’s take a look at the various ways to decorate a smaller home to bring out its full potential – from making decisions on what to ditch and put into storage, to buying new furniture such as sofas for small rooms.
Make a list
If you’re downsizing, you’ll likely have more possessions than you can fit neatly into your new home without it feeling crowded. Things you’ll have accumulated over the years without even noticing will soon start to feel like clutter in a home that doesn’t have the same space to spare. If that’s the case, it’s time to start making some big decisions.
Before you move into your new property, compile a list of everything you really want to keep and another of items you can do without. Be realistic and stand firm – it might help to assign specific pieces of furniture and other bits and bobs to particular rooms, envisaging how it will all fit together. Mood boards for each room can be a great, fun way to work this out. Whatever you don’t have space for or can no longer use, consider selling in advance of the move or putting into storage, especially if you think you’ll have a use for it in the future.
Make a list
If you’re downsizing, you’ll likely have more possessions than you can fit neatly into your new home without it feeling crowded. Things you’ll have accumulated over the years without even noticing will soon start to feel like clutter in a home that doesn’t have the same space to spare. If that’s the case, it’s time to start making some big decisions.
Before you move into your new property, compile a list of everything you really want to keep and another of items you can do without. Be realistic and stand firm – it might help to assign specific pieces of furniture and other bits and bobs to particular rooms, envisaging how it will all fit together. Mood boards for each room can be a great, fun way to work this out. Whatever you don’t have space for or can no longer use, consider selling in advance of the move or putting into storage, especially if you think you’ll have a use for it in the future.
Let there be light
Light is essential in any home, but it’s particularly important in smaller spaces. Natural light will always make a room feel larger, so keep this in mind when looking at the layout of your new home.
Using light colours on walls alongside lighter wooden flooring can also help give the illusion of more space. Likewise, softer drapes or Venetian blinds that can be opened and angled to let sunlight in, will really help to brighten the room.
Plan your layout
It’s important to plan the layout of the rooms in a smaller house to make sure everything fits and works together in the space. Before you start moving your stuff in, spend time drawing out a plan of how you want things to look – your vision for each of the rooms. Once you’ve done this, you can start to move your stuff across. Try to stick to the plan you’ve created, as this will help stop any overcrowding from trying to pack in “one more thing”.
Accessorise
If you’re clever with your accessories, you can create a bright and attractive space without it feeling hemmed in. Smaller rooms don’t have to be stripped back and minimalist in style. Pops of colour will give rooms a sense of fun and personality. Vibrant scatter cushions and throws in lighter shades positioned on furniture will really help to make rooms welcoming.
Your dream sofa
The perfect sofa pulls all your decor plans together. Having a smaller space doesn’t mean you need to scrimp on style – a more compact design can be just as striking. So, instead of trying to squeeze in a sofa that might be too large for the room, select one that complements the space.
You won’t be limited for choice with the collection of small sofas from Sofology. The Farrow two-seater is bright and modern, the Chiltern is durable and ultra-comfortable, and the Fellini is a stylish, contemporary sofa available in a large range of colours. Again, go for lighter colours in your sofa choice as it helps to open out a room and enhance its fresh, clean look.
Remember what they say – good things come in small packages, and big isn’t exclusively beautiful. With careful preparation and smart design, you can make the most of your smaller house and come home to a space you love every day.
