Downsizing your home – 10 ways it will increase the quality of your life
Maybe you just downsized your home to something a little smaller than you have been used to.
In these economic times, one needs to look on the bright side. If you look deeper, a smaller home might be a blessing in disguise.
1. More disposable income: It is very likely that downsizing your home grants you a smaller payment and less maintenance costs. Just think, a smaller roof means it will cost less to re-roof, and less floor area equals less material to replace it.
2. Less cleaning: Nobody likes cleaning! Well, some say they do but let’s be honest. I can easily think of 100 things I would rather do. A smaller house has less surface area which necessitates less time spent on chores and more time spent playing, learning and laughing with your loved ones.
3. Less maintenance: Should one be spending weekends checking off fix it lists or enjoying life? A smaller house affords you a more manageable maintenance list. Less drippy faucets to deal with equals more time for long walks.
4. Better quality products: Less space means less space to fill and having more disposable income allows you to fill it with better quality furnishings. Quality products translate to less upkeep and more pride of ownership.
5. Healthier home: Maybe you will invest in a better quality heating system. This will result in less energy use and maintenance cost, which is better for you and the environment. A home is only as healthy as the products it is made of. This includes for example, choosing materials without VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) that don’t pollute the indoor air as well as protecting your family by ensuring a healthy Building Envelope*.
6. There is special meaning to all items: In a smaller space there typically isn’t room for filler items, so every piece of artwork, vase or side chair is specially selected to be in that room. Grandma’s refinished rocking chair doesn’t just sit in the corner; it now is used every day.
7. More pride of ownership: Every detail of a small house is evaluated and reevaluated so there is a place for everything and everything is in its place. With such care in planning and detailing, much pride is felt in the end product.
8. Less separation: I am speaking about families being able to interact with each other in one room. In many of these large homes there is a separate room for child activities, teen activities and adult activities. In a smaller house all of these rooms have to be skillfully integrated into one “great room” where everyone can go about their activities and still remain together.
9. More reason to be outdoors: Of course a small house can translate to less room to run around and play which means getting out of the house is even more enjoyable.
10. Less worry: That just about sums it all up. The key to a long, happy life is less worry and stress. Please check out this link for more on stress
These are just a few reasons why I believe owning a smaller home can improve the quality of life but I would like to hear your ideas. Help me continue the list!!
*Building Envelope: is the separation between the interior and the exterior environments of a building. It serves as the outer shell to protect the indoor environment as well as to facilitate its climate control.
Written by Araya Jensen, CKD
Araya has been practicing interior design for over 10 years creating some of the most thoughtful home designs today. Her vast array of experience includes lighting design, custom home furnishings and custom cabinetry for new homes and remodels. She has also gained recognition across the greater Minneapolis/St. Paul area for those seeking professional design direction.
Please visit Araya’s design portfolio at: arayajensendesigns.webs.com
Article photo by Lance McCord
11 Responses to “Downsizing your home – 10 ways it will increase the quality of your life”
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Thanks for writing this great article Araya! You made some excellent points, some that I wouldn’t have even thought of.
I’ve always wanted to have a large home but I recently realized that with all the cleaning and home improvements it would be so difficult to be productive in other areas of my life. I’d have less time to chase goals and less time do what I want.
Your article has definitely helped me understand that my new smaller dream home is a much better idea.
Thanks again!
-Andrew
Thanks for this helpful, timely article! I agree with all of these points, especially the ones about having more disposable income in this unpredictable economy and also having better quality products in your home. The reason I would have to add is that smaller homes use less energy for things like heating and cooling! And there is a lot less energy wasted when there’s less empty space in the house that isn’t being utilized. Of course, this leads to lower energy bills, another plus in this down economy.
Great points too Tom!
-Andrew
Loved your article, you made some good points.
Speaking along the lines of quality products, we offer customized wall plates for your home at Presley Crafts.
Great point Tom. Lower energy bills is a big one!
Beautiful wall plates, great way to add a personalized touch to a space, thanks Presley.
-Araya
Ooooh, I thought of another while getting dressed this morning. Even though I covet storage space, having small closets means I only keep the things I really like. Instead of rummaging through a big mess of clothes that I haven’t worn since the 90’s I recently donated all of the clothes I haven’t warn in 1 year and only my favorites are left.
-Araya
That’s an awesome point Araya! I NEVER thought of that regarding closet space.
Thanks for all these tips.
-Andrew
Small is the new big. You can even take it to the extreme with the trend in “tiny houses”. But, I agree that it is not all bad to move into a smaller house.
Hey Charles,
Yeah I’ve seen some articles online about REALLY small houses. Some are really extreme.
I’d like a small home with a big yard.
-Andrew
Being in real estate, I can say that the trend is toward this very thing…quality over quantity when it comes to square footage. I’ve heard a lot of “we just don’t need this much space” lately, and it makes a lot of sense.
That’s interesting Christian. I’m sure it has to do with the mortgage mess. It has shown that bigger is not better.
-Andrew