Luxury Downsizing – it’s what all the cool kids are doing!  And while this post is written about downsizing in particular, much of it applies to ANY move. There is a reason so many empty nesters are downsizing to luxury apartments, condos, or smaller single-family homes. There are advantages to downsizing. Having less to decorate and maintain means more resources to do it well. AND Moving to smaller square footage affords more time (and often closer proximity) to enjoy travel, leisure, and cultural pursuits from a home base that is perfectly suited for your lifestyle.

I have worked through the downsizing process many times now with a variety of family members and clients and have learned much along the way.   Once a destination has been selected, these  7 key steps will make the transition go more smoothly.

One

Assess your current furnishings and accessories. Prioritize what pieces are most important to you and what you will sell or give away.

Two

Plan where each of your current items will go in your new home. Plan for both furnishings and storage. Smaller square footage may require more creative solutions and planning for those is essential to creating a comfortable and beautifully functional new space.

Three

Once you have decided what furnishings to take and where they are going, plan your color palette for the new place. Having a color scheme that flows well from room to room is especially important to helping smaller spaces live large.

Four

Plan and schedule any work to be done in your new home so that it can be completed BEFORE you move your furnishings in…this might include replacing lighting, major or minor remodeling, painting, and refinishing or replacing flooring. All of these things are so much easier and less expensive to do in an empty house. We have a current client who is renting back her larger home from the new owners for a few months before she moves so she can complete the work on her downsize without the mess and disruption of living through it.

Five

Order any new items that may be needed, and plan for any of your furnishings or textiles that will be modified to fit into the new decorating plan.  Yes, even if you aren’t renovating, you still need a decorating plan…see steps 1, 2, and 3.  We have sent out upholstery to be reworked, recovered, and slipcovered for some of our downsizing clients so that the work can be completed in time for the move into their new home. Rugs can be sent out to be cleaned or cut down, case pieces can be sent for painting, refinishing, or modification, and we have even been able to modify custom curtains and drapery hardware, on occasion, to fit new windows.

Six

Plan ahead and order any needed window coverings and schedule installation before you move. This will ensure that you have the privacy and light control that you need from the moment you move in.

Seven

Invest in help to arrange your treasured artwork and accessories throughout your home in fresh new ways that allow you to continue to enjoy them for years to come. Nothing will make your new digs feel like home faster than surrounding yourself with your favorite things, and nothing will make your favorite things look their best like professional arrangement and styling!

It really all boils down to expert planning!

We specialize in luxury downsizing, so if you or someone you know would like expertise in executing any of these steps to make the transition a pleasure, please contact us and ask about our Re-Nesting Services!

Happy Nesting