Friday, October 4, 2013

Downsizing With Style

By Vickie Daeley


If you have decided to sell your big family home and move into a smaller and more manageable house or condo, you might be wondering how to manage your furnishings and create a new interior design that maximizes space. This can be tricky, so consider the following suggestions.

The first step in downsizing really needs to happen prior to the day you move. It is important to organize and reduce your furnishings and other items before the moving truck arrives. Anything you sell or donate will not have to be moved, which can reduce your overall moving expenses. In addition, you won't have to find a place to fit items at the new house. So take a good hard look at your furnishings, clothes, books, kitchen ware and accessories. Get rid of anything you haven't used in the past 12 months, as well as anything you no longer like.

Don't forget to clean out the attic, garage and closets prior to the move. People typically store tons of stuff that they simply don't need. Even if items have sentiment attached, if they have simply been boxed and stored for years, it is probably time to think about letting these items go. In addition, if you will be moving into a place that has little or no yard, you can easily eliminate lawn furniture, mowers and probably other outdoor items. These can be sold before the move.

It can be tricky to plan out decor and furniture plans when you downsize. What pieces of furniture do you need to keep and how should it all be arranged to maximize room flow? If you are having trouble answering this question, it is a good idea to discuss your needs with a professional decorator. Interior designers don't just choose fabrics and paint, they are trained to make the most of the space that you have, and then creating an amazing room flow that fits your needs and room sizes.

Many designers offer the option of creating a space plan and design suggestions, instead of the full service of design and the execution of the design. This can be a great and economical way to use a professional interior design service. You can ask your designer to create a plan for just one main space in your new home or perhaps two or three areas that you are having trouble envisioning.

Of course, it might be wise to let your designer complete the whole design project for you. This is an extra cost, but it can be easier and less time consuming. In addition, when we do projects ourselves, they sometimes lack that professional touch, and often it becomes a process of trial and error. A pro will truly be able to see the way the final project will look. In addition, your designer should be able to find the best deals on everything from contractor services to new furnishings to items such as rugs, drapes and lighting.




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