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How Do I... Downsize to a Smaller Home?
Unless you own a shrinking gun, there are things you will have to say goodbye to when moving to a smaller residence
Niki Bruce
16 July 2018
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my inner-homeowner run free!
Houzz Contributor. Editor and Journalist for over 20 years. This is where I let my... More
After years of living in a 3-room HDB flat in Toa Payoh, I relocated to a modern, 1-bedroom apartment in Chinatown. It has a fantastic location, a dishwasher and a fancy bathroom. What it doesn’t have is the extra space I’d become used to.
I had to work out what would fit into my new space. The kitchen is the least of my concerns as I’ve never been one to cook but my clothes, shoes, bags, books and collection of objet d’art… where were they going to go?
Be ruthless, not sentimental
Unless you really do live the perfect minimalist life, you will have to get rid of stuff… probably lots of stuff.
Begin with the obvious like old paperwork, magazines, kitchenware you never use, anything that’s broken or damaged, old electronics etc. Bag them for recycling. You can get details on where to drop stuff off at the NEA’s National Recycling Programme website.
If you find yourself getting sentimental over knick-knacks or items like books and magazines, remember you can always take photos and ‘own’ them digitally.
Unless you really do live the perfect minimalist life, you will have to get rid of stuff… probably lots of stuff.
Begin with the obvious like old paperwork, magazines, kitchenware you never use, anything that’s broken or damaged, old electronics etc. Bag them for recycling. You can get details on where to drop stuff off at the NEA’s National Recycling Programme website.
If you find yourself getting sentimental over knick-knacks or items like books and magazines, remember you can always take photos and ‘own’ them digitally.
Tip: When sorting out your wardrobe, use 3 bags – one bag for ‘keep’, one for ‘not sure’, and one for ‘give away’.
For the ‘not sure’ bag, think about whether you’re ever going to actually wear these items. If you’ve been keeping a dress because it used to fit or a pair of heels that hurt your toes after 10 minutes of wearing them, then you know that they have to go.
Your ‘give away’ bag shouldn’t have stretched-out tees or ripped jeans (those go into the rubbish); only include decent, clean items to voluntary societies. Be nice.
What to do with your unwanted clothes in Singapore
Your ‘give away’ bag shouldn’t have stretched-out tees or ripped jeans (those go into the rubbish); only include decent, clean items to voluntary societies. Be nice.
What to do with your unwanted clothes in Singapore
What about large furniture?
You should also think about whether you need to get rid of any furniture – and how to get rid of it. If you live in an HDB flat, your town council offers free disposal for up to three bulky items per month (not including built-in pieces or furniture than needs to be dismantled). Furniture in good condition can be donated to the Family Thrift Stores run by the Salvation Army.
You should also think about whether you need to get rid of any furniture – and how to get rid of it. If you live in an HDB flat, your town council offers free disposal for up to three bulky items per month (not including built-in pieces or furniture than needs to be dismantled). Furniture in good condition can be donated to the Family Thrift Stores run by the Salvation Army.
Measure twice and even three times
On one move, however, I ended up with a rather major space squeeze.
I forgot to take measurements of my furniture before selecting a new rental, and just assumed that everything would fit. And of course, they didn’t.
On one move, however, I ended up with a rather major space squeeze.
I forgot to take measurements of my furniture before selecting a new rental, and just assumed that everything would fit. And of course, they didn’t.
Tip: I find taking photos of furniture that need to be taken apart to be moved (like wardrobes, cupboards and bookshelves) really useful for the reassembly process.
I had to make a few last-minute decisions to quickly let go of half a sofa, an entertainment unit and a stationary bike once it was clear that they were just not going to fit into my new apartment.
So, be ready to be ruthless – and take advantage of the removal team that will take the furniture away for you.
So, be ready to be ruthless – and take advantage of the removal team that will take the furniture away for you.
Tip: Don’t forget that all the stuff that comes out of your wardrobes and cupboards adds up too. You might end up with 43 boxes of clothes and shoes like I did; and they all have to go somewhere.
… Or invest in off-site storage
If you know that you’re only going to be staying in a smaller home for a short time, and you have a lot of quality furniture, do think about renting a storage unit.
Tip: If you own a lot of high quality leather garments or shoes and bags; or delicate ceramics and other fine furnishings, you should look for a climate-controlled storage unit.
If you know that you’re only going to be staying in a smaller home for a short time, and you have a lot of quality furniture, do think about renting a storage unit.
Tip: If you own a lot of high quality leather garments or shoes and bags; or delicate ceramics and other fine furnishings, you should look for a climate-controlled storage unit.
Whatever the reason you’re making the move to a smaller space, think of it as a chance to start afresh.
TELL US
Do you have some other helpful tips for downsizing? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
TELL US
Do you have some other helpful tips for downsizing? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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