Downsizing your home has become a catch phrase in recent years. We see it as an opportunity to reevaluate and optimize your home and lifestyle! Many families see their children grow up and begin their own lives, either by going to college or moving to a new city. Many of these “empty nesters” question the size of their now mostly empty home and consider tailoring their living environment to better suit their needs and future lifestyles. When approached thoughtfully, downsizing will result in a smaller ecological footprint, since smaller, and constructively superior, homes consume fewer natural resources such as electricity, water, and building materials. This resiliency becomes even more attractive when taking volatility of future utility costs and unpredictable power outages into consideration.
From a financial perspective, downsizing with intent can release equity tied up in a larger and typically higher maintenance property, providing homeowners with additional funds for investments, travel, or retirement savings. It can also lead to lower property taxes and insurance premiums, further reducing financial obligations. Depending on your needs, downsizing can provide a less stressful and lower maintenance living arrangement. However, the potentially unfamiliar process and its many possibilities can be daunting. You will need strategies to downsize in a way that is right for you.
Tips for Optimizing your Home and Lifestyle
Tip 1: Embrace a Minimalist Mindset
Let go of excess and accumulations that weigh you down mentally & physically. Prioritize functionality and simplicity in your design choices, opting for clean lines, clutter-free surfaces, and multifunctional furniture. Ask yourself “'Do I need this?' 'When did I last use it?' 'Does the design fit my current and changing lifestyle?” By minimizing unnecessary clutter, you'll create a more spacious and serene living environment.
Tip 2: Maximize Space Efficiency
When shifting to a downsized home, every square foot should work to your advantage. Maximize space efficiency by using vertical storage solutions, such as wall-mounted shelves and built-in cabinetry. Choose furniture with storage options, such as ottomans with hidden compartments or beds with under-bed drawers, to optimize storage without sacrificing style. Open-concept layouts and dedicated flexible rooms make the most of your available square footage and help to adapt to various needs. The workday office can easily become an occasional guest room or weekend media den.
Tip 3: Personalize Your Space
Make your downsized home truly feel like your own by personalizing it with meaningful touches and decor. Share with us your hobbies or favorite paintings, books, vases, whatever! We will give your special items their own space so they can continue to bring you joy. You can incorporate your favorite colors, patterns, and textures into the material selections to reflect your unique personality and style.
An example of a 2,100 sq.ft. home with 4 bedrooms
At evoDOMUS, we’re not afraid to experiment with different design elements and arrangements until you find what feels right for you. Together we can create a space that is truly your own.
Now what size home should you target?
This is a common question among empty nesters. It depends a lot on where you’re coming from and what you want to achieve. For someone who used to live in an 8,000-10,000 sq.ft. home, a 5,000 sq.ft. residence might appear small. However, a thoughtfully designed 2,500 sq. ft home can feel amazingly generous through the use of intentionally-placed windows and sightlines. A modestly sized, but well-designed home will function amazingly well simply by understanding exactly what your expectations are and by simplifying the flow of space and integrating flexible design elements.
Additionally, Some are also concerned about the possibility of hosting family events in the holiday season. Will the children and grandchildren all fit in the home? That’s why we think a few extra bedrooms might be beneficial, if this meets your needs and lifestyle.
Ultimately, there is no firm answer but from our experience a 2,500 sq.ft. home can be spacious enough to accommodate 4 bedrooms, if the rooms are modest in size. Combined with a well laid out living-dining-kitchen layout such a home can feel spacious and perfectly fit your lifestyle. If you go a little higher, say 3,500 sq.ft. the home will probably feel more spacious. Others may say a 1,700, 1,500 or even 1,200 sq.ft. home is sufficient for their specific needs.
Optimizing your new home requires forethought and time to determine your priorities. Besides the size, the location will play a major role in your decision making. Move to quieter surroundings, a different state, escape the cold winters, all these are important considerations.
evoDOMUS Is Here to Help
Downsizing can be a huge task, but we're here to help you throughout the process—from best site utilization, functional layouts, cabinetry planning and material selections to plumbing and mechanical systems. We address all aspects of your new home.
Our design and delivery process provides unparalleled versatility and customization possibilities to address all of your preferences and needs. Whether you prefer sleek, classically modern, contemporary or cozily hygge, evoDOMUS will create a sustainable and smart home to match your aesthetic vision, property and budget.
Still confused and undecided about downsizing? Dreaming about optimizing your environment? Our team would love to guide you through the process!
