We often speak about the benefits of renovating and extending our existing homes or building brand-new custom homes but it’s less often we take time to talk about the opposite situation – downsizing.

Downsizing is an important and beneficial step in homeownership, especially later in life when you want to focus less on maintenance and more on enjoyment. But no matter what your age or situation, downsizing is a great way to declutter, reduce your living costs and minimise maintenance.

Keep reading to discover our extensive guide on how to downsize with the future in mind.

Think about accessibility

You may not need to worry about it now, but accessibility becomes crucial as you get older. If you want to make your home accessible to all, it can be worthwhile to invest in a few key accessibility features when designing and building a smaller home. This could be anything from adding a ramp to your entrances, to choosing kitchen benches that can be lowered or raised easily or even investing in a lift.

Less is more

Over the years we accumulate many things, and it can get to a point where it may seem easier to just avoid decluttering all together! But with a smaller home, you’ll have less space to store your possessions.

When downsizing, it’s essential to embrace your inner Marie Kondo, and consider what you really need versus what you don’t. Before you make the move, go through your clothes, utensils and other items and assess what brings you joy. If it doesn’t, throw it away or hand it on to a charity shop.

When it comes to the items you do decide to keep, you’ll need to think carefully about how you can be savvy with storage in a smaller space. You’ll might want to consider storage spaces that are within easy reach as well.

A versatile floorplan

When downsizing, consider how your floorplan will serve your needs now and into the future. What will your lifestyle look like when you retire and you have extra time for leisure? Who will you be spending more time with? These kinds of questions should be factored into how you design your home. For instance, a spare room for visiting grandchildren and faraway friends may be essential to the design of your home.

If you’re hoping to spend less time on home maintenance and more time enjoying the everyday, we recommend choosing smaller yard and garden spaces that can be easily cared for. Adding a decked outdoor area to your home can be a great way to enjoy the outdoors while ensuring you won’t have to spend every weekend mowing the lawns!

Sustainability

Thinking about the future isn’t just thinking about yourself – downsizing is an excellent time to make your home and lifestyle more eco-friendly. A smaller home in itself will lessen your carbon footprint, but you could also consider moving somewhere within walking distance to public transport and public amenities (like public pools), which will cut down on time spent driving. You could also consider building with eco-friendly materials or creating a sustainable design.

___

Looking to downsize with a trusted team of experts in Melbourne? Get in touch with Nicon Built Design + Build today – we’d be happy to answer any questions you might have about the downsizing process.