While it is true that a bigger home can provide more space and comfort, especially to bigger families, it can be pretty taxing to maintain and care for financially and physically. So, downsizing to a smaller home may seem more viable.
Here’s why downsizing may be a good choice!
Upsides of home downsizing
- Save money from frivolous shopping
Admit it; having a bigger home means having more space. With more space, we tend to feel like we should fill up the room with furniture, houseplants or huge art pieces that will definitely cost a lot. Art is not cheap, fellas. But, with having limited space to fill after downsizing your home, you will get to save more from frivolously buying items that may be useless.
- Revel in the benefits of smaller living
While downsizing may not be anyone’s first choice, living in a smaller space does bring benefits of its own! For instance, if you lived in a two-storey house, you no longer have to spend energy climbing up the stairs every time you forget something you need. In a smaller home, everything is easily within reach.
Additionally, you would not need to break your back trying to keep for the house. A bigger home will take more energy and time to clean up after. Imagine a big place in the city; it is pretty doubtful that anyone would have enough time and energy after a hectic day to care for the spick-and-span of their homes. But, with a smaller house; less space to clean and tidy!
- More sustainable
A smaller home is more sustainable, believe it or not. If you enjoy having an air conditioner in every room, then yes, a smaller home will be more sustainable. There are only so many rooms you can leave your carbon footprints in. Apart from being environmentally friendly, a smaller home is more pocket-friendly as you will spend less on bills. For instance, when you have a bigger space, you may require an air-conditioner with higher horsepower, resulting in a shocking electricity bill that will paralyse you!
- Mental health boost
A large home may show your financial status clearly, but will it jive well with your psychology? Sometimes, a bigger house can cause the feeling of loneliness, especially when you are living by yourself. A home should always be a place where you feel secure and comfortable, but if you feel lonely most of the time, it is not doubtful that you will feel depressed and anxious from living in a home with ample space alone. Negative thoughts will come racing to your mind; thus, downsizing to a house with a size that fits you (or your family together) will be the better choice. Push away the idea of a big house = high status. What matters is your comfort and security in your own home.
But, when there are upsides. Of course, there will be downsides to moving to a smaller home.
Downsides of home downsizing
- Adapting to change is difficult
Change is never easy, and it is so when you are already comfortable living in a home where space is not a problem. Our home is our comfort zone, and moving houses means moving out of our comfort zones and getting used to a new place. However, once comfortable in your new home, you will realise the many charms and benefits it possesses.
- Moving costs
Yes, living in a smaller home will be cost-friendly. But, the process of moving will still be costly, albeit it is moving to a smaller house. If you are buying a home, there is the cost of downpayment to think of, whilst for renters, it is the cost of a deposit. Either way, it will cost money. You will also have to spend on moving trucks and technicians to transfer electronic items such as air conditioning and wifi routers. But don’t worry, the process will be costly, but the living itself won’t cost as much!
- Less space
Of course, this is a given. Moving to a smaller home will prove to be difficult, especially when you will have to let go of furniture and items that may not fit the space of your new home. Some things may hold sentimental value, and some may be precious gifts, but if they take up space in your home, what else is there to do than let them go? On the bright side, you will have the chance to get new, space-savvy furniture. This will bring changes in your life, and change can be good and increase productivity.
So is downsizing the way to go?
Downsizing is a viable option if you are looking to avoid financial problems in the long run. This is a crucial point to consider, especially since we are living in a period where nothing is certain anymore. The pandemic has taught us how important our homes are, and since we have had to spend more time indoors these last two years, you should ask yourself what really is more important? With downsizing, it is possible to live a comfortable and spacious life still as long as the space is utilised correctly, so if you were waiting for a sign, then this is it! Hello, #tinyhome nation!
What’s your take on downsizing? Is it practical with your lifestyle? Let us know in the comment section below!
