The trend toward living smaller and simpler has drawn as much notoriety for its novelty as for its utility. There’s a certain humor to the idea of full-grown adults living in homes that look like converted dollhouses. While the “tiny house” movement may represent an extreme manifestation of a much broader movement, there’s no doubt that downsizing offers many benefits, both financially and in terms of lifestyle. Those who are willing to make the transition benefit from conserving energy, saving money and more leisure time that would normally be spent on cleaning and upkeep.
Back to basics
Downsizing and moving to a smaller space will discourage you from wasting money on things you don’t need. After all, there’s no point in buying expensive furniture or artwork if there’s no room for it. If you decide to downsize by moving to an apartment, keep in mind that one-bedroom apartments in and nearby Stamford rent for an average of $2160/month while two-bedrooms are an average of $2843. If apartment living isn’t for you, you can also look at buying a small home in the area.
A simpler lifestyle also means less waste and more savings, money you can use to travel, pay down your debt, or contribute to your favorite charitable causes. And it’s a good way to “go green” and show your support for the environment through a more sustainable lifestyle.
Less to clean
With a much smaller space to clean and declutter, there’s less to feel burdened by and get stressed over. Your friends and family will enjoy seeing more of you, and you can look forward to starting a new hobby or activity and spending more time exercising. Getting more exercise means your blood pressure will be lower, your cortisol levels will be reduced, and you’ll have a much easier time losing weight.
Light landscaping
If you’ve ever lived in a home with a large yard, you can probably remember how much you dreaded wheeling out the lawn mower and spending three sweaty hours cutting the grass. Then there was all the mulching, edging, trimming and pruning that goes with landscaping a big lot. Downsizing can free you from all that. You’ll actually have time to watch the ball games you used to skip because you had to rake acres of leaves before it rained.
Low-impact decorating
A smaller space makes decorating easier and less expensive than when you lived in that five-bedroom house. If home decor is your thing, you’ll enjoy a tighter, more coordinated look in a home with less space to fill. It’s more coherent than trying to tie together all those rooms and that floor space.
Cozy, not cluttered
A less spread-out floor plan means your family will enjoy a more organized mode of living and storage. If you’re a warrior against clutter, you’ll enjoy not having to venture into those hall closets that everyone tends to use as a storage purgatory for objects they don’t want to throw away but don’t know what to do with. Digitize your old photos and papers, CDs and more to preserve space. There’s also the joy of knowing where everything is and not having to ask anyone within earshot if they’ve seen your cell phone charger or your hair dryer.
When it comes to the causes of clutter, furniture is often to blame. Certainly you want to get rid of pieces that are no longer useful or pleasing, but what if you have something you truly want to keep but think it has become too soiled or worn to hold onto? Consider hiring a professional furniture cleaner to brighten up items you truly cherish. Be sure to use someone with good references and/or plenty of positive online reviews, as a poorly cleaned chair or sofa will not bring the joy you seek in a comfortable, intimate home.
Family reunion
A smaller home increases the chances that your family may spend more time together. If you’re downsizing the number of TVs in your home, everyone will have to gather in the den or living room and agree on what to watch (as unlikely as that may seem). If you’ve given up on eating dinner together, this may be your best chance to encourage true family togetherness.
If large homes and expensive belongings haven’t shown you the route to happiness, downsizing may help you find a lifestyle that suits you better. It’s an opportunity to live smarter, save money, and free up more time for the things you really want to do. You may be surprised at how easy it is to make the transition.
A smaller home means you need to be well organized. Get help from House 2 Home Organizing getting your home in tip-top shape by calling 203-571-9412 today!
