So you’ve finally made the leap. Tired of all that stuff and all that space, you’ve decided it’s time you downsized. Congratulations! You have taken a large step in simplifying your life. But make no mistake: we know full well that you have a pretty big job in front of you. And while the physical act of downsizing—all that sorting and organizing—can prove tedious, in this article we’d like to focus on the more fun part. Decorating your new home.
Once you’ve gotten rid of all those things you realized you can live without, you’re faced with a smaller blank slate in your new home. This can prove especially challenging because you have less room to work with than you did in your old place. And you’re likely looking to save a few dollars in the process.
Not to worry. We’ve pulled together some helpful hints to maximize both your space and your dollar:
- Think “dual function”—Do you have any furniture that can serve multiple purposes? For example, maybe a coffee table that stores cushions underneath? With limited space, pieces that serve dual functions are especially attractive.
- Spread the furniture out (but not too far)—A common decorating mistake in small spaces is to try and fit as much as possible into each room. What ends up happening is your space feels cluttered—the exact feeling you’re trying to escape by downsizing. Instead, spread out that furniture. You’ll find yourself needing less, which means spending less. But be careful not to spread chairs out so far that conversation becomes difficult.
- Paint it!—Painting a room is one of the most cost-effective ways to spruce it up. For smaller spaces, choose lighter colors. You’ll find your space looks and feels much larger than if you opt for darker colors.
- Use your photographs—Want a cheap way to decorate the walls and add a personalized touch? Go through those old photographs and pick out your favorites. You can have them blown up and place them in frames of your choice for next to nothing. Choose photos with great stories attached—they’re great for memories and entertaining guests.
Don’t be afraid of decorating. Meet the challenge head on. Have fun!
