Here’s how to downsize from a big house to a two-bedroom condo. First, edit by deciding what you love best, have a floor plan for the new place. These are the five steps that we used for my sister this year.
Downsizing is something many families experience. I wanted to show you the five steps that my sister and I used to get her happily settled into her new, much smaller home.
My sister, Teresa, and mother shared a large home in the San Diego suburbs. After my mom died, my sister decided it was time for a fresh start in a fun environment. It’s not easy. It was a lot of work, but here is what we did.
1. To Downsize From A Big House: Decide What You Love Best
Teresa made a list of everything that she loved and/or had meaning to her. So, those were the things we prioritized to make work.
2. Have A Floor Plan
The main reason for this is to make sure you have room. The floor plan told us that there wasn’t room for her big dining table or coffee table. It’s misleading to see empty rooms in your new place. It makes it seem bigger than it really is.
Remember how in a small space, mirrors can enlarge it!
This smaller marble table is a better fit in the smaller room.
3. Give Away To Family, Friends, and Charities, And Store As Little As Possible
Teresa offered things to the family to take. In my case, I got my mother’s dresser (which we refinished here to give it an updated look) and our daughter took the dining room table.
Her friend, Linda, took two custom-made club chairs that used to be mine. Another friend, Bree, took the blue and white curtains that I was storing there from my first One Room Challenge. It makes us happy that they can use them (and Teresa can see them when she visits).
Teresa got a small storage unit for the large coffee table and some other things…but she is actually thinking of clearing that out now that she has lived without them for a few months.
4. Mix Old With New
On the list of what was important to Teresa were our mother’s antique mirror and Paris prints. She also loves the rug that she bought in Turkey and an antique Chinese vase (you can see it in the mirror’s reflection).
The rug was a little small for the space so we layered it on top of seagrass. The sofa (Teresa donated her two old sofas), pillows, and white leather recliner are new.
Since you are going to downsize and have a smaller space, every seat should be comfortable and feel fresh and homey. If you are in the San Diego area and go to the Pottery Barn at UTC, ask for Karen. She has been a big help to us.
This white bench (formerly in her bedroom) makes a nice spot by the front door to remove shoes and store them in the lidded basket. The lumbar pillow adds a nice pop of color.
Shop The Living Room
5. Start Entertaining!
Look at Teresa’s view and the pool in the complex! No wonder she has already had several guests and parties.
There is a large penthouse living room that is open to the building’s residents. We went up there with wine recently…
Good job, Teresa, making the big life change of moving and downsizing from a big house. I’m so proud of you and I’d like to borrow your cute, new pants.
Please come back on Sunday for My Five Faves. And I’d love for you to follow me on Instagram!
Maryanne
The post on downsizing has come at the right time for me , we are down sizing from a 3 bed house to 1 bed widebeam boat – a life’s dream .
Great article of how to save what you love
Any ideas on decorating a boat ?
Anne
How fun! Now you will really have to downsize…start with that
“important things” list. You could scan photos and put them in one of those electronic photo readers. You won’t want a lot of accessories that can move. Keep it simple and luxe!
She is so much there speaking up for you when you need it.
Walter
I think that a lot, Walter. I talk to her all the time. Wish I could hug her though. I know you miss your parents.
Your sister is gorgeous, and this place suits her perfectly. It’s sophisticated and so beautiful. I love how you repurposed the bench from her bedroom to the entryway! I love the pillow on the bench too! So many good tips for downsizing too!
Your sister’s condo looks beautiful!!
My entire house is furnished in all second hand furniture from my relatives and mom!!The items are old but they are all in excellent shape!!
I am hoping you, your husband and son were safe during Ian hurricane. Please continue to be safe!!
Have a fantastic day and weekend!!💝🤗😊
❤️❤️❤️
Teresa’s new place is a dream. Love the layered rugs and her new one cushion sofa looks chic and comfortable. So glad she’s settled and entertaining already … her next chapter is off to a grand beginning. xo
❤️❤️❤️
Teresa, Susan and I love what you and Mary Ann have accomplished. To make this move without your precious mother has been, we are sure, not easy. But dear Aunt Louise is loving every touch her girls have added. Love to all, Susan and Walter
Thanks SO much, you guys! Miss you.
Oh, you guys are so lovely and I miss you!! I miss Louise terribly, too but I still feel like she is with us every day and it brings joy!
She is so much there speaking up for you when you need it.
Walter
Teresa’s new home is beautiful. Downsizing is not an easy job but you both did a wonderful job. It’s so light and inviting and I’m sure she will love living there. Our house is not that big so we have no need to downsize, but I think about moving all the time so we can go through all the stuff we’ve accumulated and purge things we don’t need anymore, which is most of our stuff!
I read that you are fine and you even have electricity. I’m so glad you are OK. I am praying for all those in FL who are suffering from such a damaging storm.
Thank you, Gail!
Hoping you come through Ian with flying colors. I know a lot are not so lucky. I love your sister’s apartment. I know first-hand that it is hard to go from two-bedroom apartment to a 430 sq ft studio. I moved after my 96-year-old mother passed away last February. A friend of mine actually had an app that you could take photos of the furniture you were not certain about and then picture how it would look in the new space and that helped a lot with the decisions on furniture. I also knew I could not part with a few things that had been my mother’s and great-grandmothers. Thankfully they worked. But you gave me a few new pointers that I am going to try out in the apartment once I get my light fixed.
It is a tough transition, Margaret, but they will always be in our hearts!! 💕💕💕
You and your sister did a smashing job on her new condo. Great pieces! Love her “shoe bench” and that lumbar pillow! Just fabulous. I’m sure with that view, the pool, and the rooftop penthouse access she will be loving her new smaller space. Easier upkeep too. Hope you and your son’s place survive the hurricane. Praying for Florida!!
Thank you, Deanna!! I would love to take credit, but it was all Mary Ann!!
Hi Mary Ann,
I have been thinking about you and hoping and praying for the best. Good to hear your son Tommy is with you both. I hope you do not lose power. We have been watching the news and its heart wrenching to see the devastation that the hurricane has caused.
Teresa’s home is so tranquil and peaceful looking. You both did an outstanding job at creating such a pretty space. I bet the view with the city lights at night are so relaxing to look at. So nice she has met friends already in her community.
Take care and stay safe.
Thank you, Katherine, but Mary Ann gets all of the credit!!
Teresa’s new place is beautiful. Feminine and serene which makes down-sizing an easy fit. Sending you hugs and a giant umbrella for the state to get through this storm. Blue-sky wishes from San Diego!
💙💙💙
9/29/22- so glad you are safe after IAN. My son and family did fine in south Tampa. He didn’t loose power
and so far no know damage.
Feel so bad for Florida. I went thru Katrina. 🙏🙏
oh that’s good. We are fine here.
Take care Mary Ann, hope the storm is mild in your area. Prayers for all living in the path of Ian.
Please update us… are you post storm are still in its path? Sending best wishes and prayers from Tallahassee.
It’s still here but as a tropical storm. Going to be here all day. Our friends in Tampa are ok but without power. We have power.
Glad you and yours are safe and that Theresa’s happy in her new spot. Many in Florida aren’t as lucky.
I love Teresa’s new space. It is so fresh and feminine! I bet she is so happy. I love that the furnishings and textiles refect the view instead of fighting with it. Bringing the outside in makes the space seem even larger. It is magazine worthy for sure! How lucky she is to have such a talented sister!
You are so sweet, Cindy. Teresa is happy! We are all good here with the storm. Even still have power.
You are a GEM, Cindy! And fabulous comments coming from you with your amazing design work!!
Mary Ann,
Thoughts are with you that this storm barely touched you and your love ones. Thank you for all your helpful advice.
Jennifer
We are just hunkering down, Jennifer…even still have power (knock on wood).
We had a terrible time finding charities that would accept our used furniture. All policies stated that the furniture should not show signs of wear, dirt, etc. Our issue was “wear” although I considered our pieces to be gently worn. What did you do with used upholstered furniture?
It is hard to get rid of upholstered furniture. The worst case you can call 1-800-junk. But that is why it was good family and friends took hers.