There’s a lot to love about big homes, but they are a lot to manage. Instead, many people opt for something a little smaller and cozier. Still, they make some mistakes that leave them unhappy. Continue reading to learn which common mistakes people make with their smaller homes that you must avoid.
Bad Organization and Too Much Clutter
These two points go hand in hand; without proper organization, you will end up with a lot of unnecessary items. Clutter is your worst nightmare in a small home, but organization will be your best friend who keeps that nightmare at bay. Many first-time homeowners fail to implement a proper organization system when they move in. Slowly but surely, their home ends up full of junk. Organization is essential for small homes because it keeps everything in easy-to-reach places that aren’t out in the open for everyone to see or stumble over. To start organizing, you must:
Declutter regularly
Learn to maximize vertical space
Create a “home” for every item
Determine what you need and what’s non-essential
With these organization tips, you can keep the clutter at bay and enjoy all the positives a small home brings you!
Not Taking Advantage of the Outdoors
One mistake that is incredibly common to make, both for big and small house owners, is neglecting the outdoors. While it can happen to everyone, it’s an even bigger problem for small homeowners. Embracing the outdoors is one part of single-story home designs you can’t go without. Mansions have countless rooms and amenities to explore, so it’s possible you won’t go outside every day.
Sadly, you don’t get this luxury with a small home, which is why the outdoors is critical to your home design. You may spend time on your patio, build a fire pit to hang out with friends, and even create a garden. One of the joys of a single-story home is having the outdoors right there; you should take advantage of that as best as you can.
Bringing Everything Over
This point goes along with the organization mistake, but you cannot understate its importance. For many homeowners, a smaller home is a downsize. They’ve lived in a bigger home and are choosing to go somewhere smaller and cozier, but they try to bring all of their stuff with them. This is a recipe for disaster because your new home will feel cramped, you’ll have things everywhere, and you’ll lack the room to expand.
If you want to live life to the fullest in your smaller home, you need to do a little downsizing before you move. You should trade out some of your furniture and determine what is essential in your new home. For example, if you’re not the biggest cook, consider bringing fewer dishes, pots, and different ingredients. Doing so will give you more space for what you enjoy, whether it’s reading, arts and crafts, music, or anything in between.
People make many simple mistakes with their smaller homes, leaving them with a cramped space and none of what makes it great. Learn how to avoid these mistakes so you can live life to the fullest in your small home!