Maybe you’ve decided your house is too big to maintain, or perhaps your financial circumstances have changed, and you want to move into an apartment? No matter your reason for downsizing, moving into an apartment is a great choice!
Let’s look at what it takes to successfully move from a house to the apartment lifestyle.
Why Live in an Apartment?
Living in an apartment offers many perks!
When you buy a home, you have to pay a deposit, you need to be approved for a mortgage, and you’re subject to a property inspection. These added costs along with the commitment of home maintenance and ownership can become incredibly costly.
Living in an apartment provides the flexibility of a lease, communal living, professional maintenance, and access to amenities. Although it takes some adjusting when you move from an apartment to a house, let’s help you make the change with our simple house to complex tips.
Did You Know an Apartment Could Save You Money?
An apartment can certainly save you money. Monthly rent will be less than paying a home loan and you won’t have to be concerned about covering the maintenance. This also means more money in your pocket!
How to Choose an Apartment?
The biggest part of downscaling from your home to an apartment is choosing the apartment! The process may seem daunting especially if you’ve come from a home with a garden or you’re used to a fair amount of space, the thought of moving into an apartment might overwhelm you! Fortunately, with so many styles of apartments, and with a little bit of research, you’re sure to find the right place to stay with all the space and comforts you need.
When you need to find the right apartment, jot down what you are looking for in your next place to stay. Look at a few neighborhoods and apartments to get an idea of the interior and overall design. From the square footage to the amenities, it’s all about looking at different properties and making the necessary comparisons. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to secure an apartment you love.
Moving from a house to an apartment means you will be downscaling. An important part of the move is planning which valuables you will be keeping, placing in storage, or getting rid of. To know which items to keep and which items to sell or rehome, you need to consider the square footage of the apartment. Look at the design of the living area, the bedroom, and kitchen. Determine which furnishings will fit inside the space and which of these may be too awkward to keep.
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What if You Need to Move Out of Your House Quickly?
The easiest way to move out of your house and into an apartment is to write down just what you’ll be looking for in your next place. When you know which types of apartments to choose, you can create a list of the furniture and the valuables you want to keep. Furniture for a one bedroom apartment is very different to a 2 or 3 bedroom.
If you cannot fit your regular furniture into your new apartment but you don’t want to let go of your valuables, consider placing it in storage. You could also sell some items online or buy flat-pack furniture to take up less space.
Downscaling from a house to an apartment can be done quickly with the right plan. First, consider the size of the apartment. You should then start planning which furniture you will keep, what to store, and what to sell. Determine how you will position your furniture and what you need to maintain your new home. These checklists can make it easier to transition when you move. If you fail to consider how to downscale, you could face extra costs in unnecessary storage and moving facilities.
Once you know which items of furniture will work within the space and which items you need to give away or sell, this can help you make the most of moving house.
Getting Organized
Moving alone can be chaotic, but when you have to downsize, it can be more difficult to make sense of how to manage your goods.
To help you stay on top of the process, we suggest the following steps:
Start with Everyday Items
Create a list of the basic items first. Books, clothing, toiletries, and non-essentials. Place these into boxes with labels. Any important documents should be stored separately.
Valuables
Items such as furniture and accessories that you know you cannot part with, keep these packed and separate from the remaining furniture. If you haven’t used something in a few months and you don’t foresee using it in the future, it is best to toss, sell, or give away.
What to Keep for an Apartment?
Downsizing can be difficult if you’re accustomed to a specific lifestyle but when you get organized, the entire process is smooth sailing.
Deciding what to keep when you move into an apartment can be tough but not impossible! You can start by looking at the amenities available. Apartments may have access to a laundry, a gym, or a communal park. If your complex doesn’t include a laundry, you will need to keep your washer. Where amenities are few and far between, ask yourself what you would need (reasonably of course) to maintain your lifestyle. If you don’t need it and your apartment can’t accommodate it, it is best to toss.
The easiest way to learn how you can manage your downsize is to visit the apartment itself. Look at the interiors, are you close to major shopping centers, do you have access to a gym or laundry? These can help you with not only organizing your goods but also to better design your space.
An apartment lifestyle is also a great opportunity to redesign your space. If you’ve been considering a contemporary look and feel, there’s no better time than moving into your new apartment, to make the change.
Redesigning Your Apartment and Your Lifestyle
A redesign doesn’t have to be drastic or expensive. Before you decide to make any changes, create a budget. Not only will your budget influence the new items you purchase but should also make provision for the move-in day.
The size of an apartment is an important part of downscaling and decorating. Moving from a house into a smaller than average apartment can be challenging, but most rewarding when you have a décor and design plan. This means that you’ll have to make decisions such as keeping your suite, your dining table, or your king sized bed!
If you haven’t got a clue where to start designing and decorating, we can help you with this process too! Take a look at our affordable DIY design tips for a small apartment. Perhaps you can find some design inspiration for your new apartment.
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Consider Multi-Functional Furniture
Along with our apartment décor tips, we help you maximize the use of space in your small apartment. Multi-functional or multi-purpose furniture is a great choice when downsizing. Even the smallest spaces can feel roomy with the right types of furniture. What is great about multi-functional pieces is that it offers both storage, décor features, and reduces the need for multiple pieces that can make a room feel cluttered.
What You Need when Moving Into an Apartment?
The apartment move does not have to be a costly process. When you know which items to keep, furniture you need to buy, and how to organize your valuables, it becomes easier to make the transition stress-free and smooth.
Let’s look at some of the factors you should consider when downsizing your home.
Decide on the Apartment
Will you be moving into a studio apartment or perhaps a single bedroom unit? Once you know your future apartment’s square footage, overall design, and amenities, you can easily start planning which furniture items to keep and which to toss.
Decide on Furniture
To make the apartment a functional and satisfying space, you need to choose the right types of furniture. For the small apartment, the pieces you take with you or replace should provide storage, organization, and appeal. A great tip is to measure the pieces you already own in comparison to the dimensions of the room. This will be a great help prior to moving and ensures you have select pieces that work with your space.
Consider Flexible Storage
Multi-purpose furniture, shelving, and bookshelves are great ways to add storage. Of course, the choice of these pieces will be determined by your budget and rental regulations. Most apartments do not allow the addition of wall shelves or permanent fixtures. Fortunately, there are creative ways to add storage and finesse. The careful selection of flat-pack or multi-functional pieces can make all the difference.
Declutter and Organize Your Valuables
It is impossible to create a smooth move if you don’t have a plan. Start by removing the clutter and the items you know you won’t need. Maintaining organization will help you determine which goods you should keep and which you should get rid of. While it can be a tedious process, it can certainly make the day of your move that much smoother and efficient.
Include Furniture to Suit Your Apartment Lifestyle
Work with your space. If your new apartment is smaller than the average unit, you can make it work even when moving from a house. The secret to its success is to work with the square footage and the design of the apartment. This way, you can choose multi-functional pieces that are sure to help you create a happy space.
Why is Apartment Living the Best?
Whether you have decided that you want the comforts of a secure complex or you have an empty nest and it’s time to downsize, the apartment lifestyle is not what it used to be, and that’s a good thing!
Today’s apartments are filled with activity, amenities, security, and most are located close to major highways or city center’s. Along with catering to different lifestyles, apartments provide a true sense of community.
Living in a house on your own or as a couple can become overwhelming when don’t keep your hand on maintenance and upholding its value. When you live in an apartment, you know the maintenance is covered and you can simply focus on enjoying your unit. Along with the maintenance, communal living is another great way to meet new people and new friends.
Most apartments also offer access to a swimming pool, gym, or outdoor areas that you can share and enjoy. Depending on what you are looking for, you can find a variety of incredible amenities and features that make your stay more rewarding.
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The Successful Apartment Lifestyle
The success of your move from a house to an apartment is all about your attitude and preparedness. Choose a unit and a complex to suit your interests. Check out the regulations of the apartment as some place restrictions on pets or smoking.
When you plan for apartment living, your downscale will actually make you feel free and independent. For empty nesters, apartments will help you create strong connections and a valuable space where you belong.
Another part of modern living is the minimalist lifestyle. This means creating a space with essential furniture, eliminating the clutter and determining which types of apartments will best suit your needs.
Remember, research is key to choosing a unit that is not only affordable but one that you feel safe in. Take a little bit of time to ensure that your needs are met and to choose apartments that satisfy your interests.
Fortunately, you can find a way to live a simple and a rewarding way of life and it starts with your choice of an apartment!
