FIGURING OUT HOW TO DECORATE AND FURNISH YOUR HOME WHEN DOWNSIZING CAN BE BOTH EXCITING AND DAUNTING.
Deciding what furniture to take and how you want your new space to look and feel is one of the most fun parts of a downsizing move, but it can be overwhelming too, especially if you’re coming from a large family home.
GemLife Interior Design Coordinator Ange Osborne has seen and guided dozens of residents through the process of creating their dream homes over the past few years. In this month’s issue of The Gem, she shares her top interior design tips to minimising the pain and maximising the pleasure of a downsizing move.
TAKE WHAT YOU LOVE
If you really love it, take it with you. Special objects or pieces of furniture can be worked into a larger interior design scheme.
“Many homeowners think they must get rid of everything and start from scratch, but that’s not the case. If you have a piece that you love – something that has meaning and has been part of your life for a long time – you can always make it work,” said Ange.
“Even if you’re looking at creating a completely different look at your modern GemLife home, traditional or quirky pieces can 100 percent be blended within a contemporary space.”
MEASURE IT
Measure the width and depth of all pieces of furniture that you’re thinking about taking to your new home.
“See how the pieces fit within your new floorplan to help you make the final decision about what to take or what to sell or give away,” Ange said.
INTERIOR LOOK AND FEEL
Downsizing offers a great opportunity to create a fresh look and feel for your new home and lifestyle.
Ange suggests scrapbooking or using an app like Pinterest to create a mood board for an overarching aesthetic.
“You can then buy pieces that fit in with your vision, or GemLife’s interior design team can assist with a consultation or with furniture packages if shopping isn’t your thing.”
WARDROBE SPRING CLEAN
Go through your wardrobe and get rid of anything you haven’t worn for a long time.
Ange recommends giving away or selling pieces of clothing that have remained unworn for two years or more.
“Chances are you will never wear these pieces. Moving house is a great opportunity to strip back your wardrobe to the things you love to wear, plus it makes it easier to find things in your new home.”
Editing your existing furniture and furnishings and buying new items can be challenging but, armed with these expert tips, you can streamline the process and enjoy the ride.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY A NEW BED
More than once, Ange has seen GemLife homeowners buy new beds for their homes, only to discover they aren’t comfortable.
“Always try a bed before buying – always, always! They’re not an inexpensive purchase and, because we all spend a lot of time in our beds, it’s really important to test them out,” she said.
OVER-SIZED FURNITURE
Oversized furniture which may have worked in a larger family home can dwarf and dominate a smaller footprint. Unless a piece has significant sentimental value, consider selling oversized furniture.
“Give it away, or better still, sell it and save the money for buying new pieces that will work better with your new space and the interior design vision you want to create,” Ange said.
FOCUS ON THE LIVING AREA
Living areas are where most people spend most of their time, therefore it is essential to have comfortable armchairs and lounges.
“Living areas usually focus around the television, so make sure you have good quality and comfy seating,” said Ange.