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Moving to a smaller space? Here are some tips on how to downsize
Nearly every day at the store I have a conversation with someone about downsizing to a smaller home.
Generally – and in varying degrees – ‘downsizers’ keep some of their old furniture and buy some new furniture.
Downsizing can be broken down into three basic steps and each step is all about editing.
Go through your home and decide what furniture you can part with and what you want to keep (categorizing each piece into “yes”, “no” or “maybe” is a good place to start).
1. Give away or sell to family or friends.
2. Sell on websites like Craigslist.
3. Sell through consignment stores, like Consignment Canada.
4. Sell to antique/vintage furniture stores, like Gild & Co.
5. Sell through a local auction house, like Maynard’s or Love’s.
Dressers
Hang on to dressers, especially smaller ones, for your small space. You will need the extra storage.
Think outside the box on where a dresser can fit in your new smaller home. They can offer great storage in a living room or foyer.
Mirrors and Art
Every small home in Vancouver needs a large mirror, to increase light and make a space feel larger.
Your house-sized art will also fit fine into a smaller space. You just need less of it.
Sofas
Condos or small living rooms generally fit a sofa that is 70 to 80 inches in length. Go as big as you can for maximum comfort and seating. A common mistake is going too small. A loveseat around 50 to 60 inches is too small.
Look for double-duty items, such coffee tables that have storage (think vintage trunk) and chairs that can be used in the dining area and living room.
Keep leggy furniture to a minimum. Too many chair, table and sofa legs in a room will make it feel cluttered.
Get the biggest area rug you can afford. 4×6 or 5×8 rugs are generally too small, even for condo-size living rooms and will make a room look smaller.
Wall-mount anything you can, like a desk or eating bar. This will clear much-needed floor space and give other items room to breathe.
Don’t skimp on lighting. Lighting is crucial in any room, especially a small area where every inch of space is important. Chandeliers are also fantastic in small spaces. When placed in a bedroom or living room, a beautiful chandelier gives that feeling of living large.