Downsizing

[Collaredbymonkeys]

Has anyone moved house to a smaller property and needed to declutter and work around inconveniences?
We have the option of a lovely house in our perfect location, but it’s very small. There isn’t much storage space and the kitchen does not have room for a dishwasher or tumble drier (both of which I heavily rely on and can’t be without)
We would need to replace our sofas and give up the family table, garden furniture and new sideboard.
Im just wondering if anyone has done this and didn’t regret it?

Following as my parents are doing the same. And I'm interested to know how they will manage in a much smaller house.

Take a look at e.g. Pinterest for creative storage solutions. Friends of ours recently moved to a small house (under 60sqm) and have build storage into the stairs using pull out drawers underneath the treads, as well as well designed under bed storage.

Is there an option to build a garden room / outhouse with power? That would be a potential solution for keeping a tumble drier. Could you manage with a slimline / half width dishwasher, which would mean losing less cupboard space?

We downsized 3 years ago and don't regret it. I gave quite a lot of stuff away to family members (probably too much, that's the only thing I regret). The house is easier to clean and maintain and the utility bills are much lower. We moved from the town centre to the countryside and have made the house into a "cosy cottage" type property. Yes, I've lost my dishwasher but now there's only the 2 of us it's not so bad. We do have a downstairs toilet and I am considering turning it into a utility room, would you have the option to do that? We were forced to downsize due to ill health and job losses but I've no regrets.

My mum moved from a large 3 story Victorian town house with cellar and 4 bedrooms to a small Edwardian 2 bed terrace about 10 years ago. It has 2 little outbuildings and a shed. She sold most of her furniture and bought all new. We did lots of car boot sales and FB Marketplace and eBaying. It has worked out fine in the end, although she misses having the cellar to dump stuff in.

I wouldn’t want to give up a family dining table (assuming you mean you won’t have room for one in the new house), tumble dryer or dishwasher so this wouldn’t be a decision I’d make.

Thank you for the tips.
I have a toddler and newborn so we are overrun with baby things and toys, in general we have little belongings, it’s the furniture that I’d be missing.
The garden is only 40 foot so I’d like to hold onto the space for my children to play as they get older, otherwise an outhouse extension would be fantastic. There isn’t anywhere else inside that can be amended or extended, possibly some kitchen cupboards removed to make more space.
I’ll take a look at Pinterest, thank you.

Me! I moved in December from 3 bed family home to a small 2 bedroom flat.
So much stress and decluttering. Stuff belonging to my late husband, late mother and two adult children.

Then Christmas was chaos.
Now I am settled and happy, I think it’s a bit like childbirth, you forget the horror when you are comfortable a few months later.
I had to get rid of my tumble dryer, to be fair I didn’t use it that much though, bad for the environment. I’m using a rack over the bath now but I’ve been to the launderette a couple of times.

I’ve just read your update OP, you have tiny children so not downsizing in the traditional sense, I would stay out in your circumstances definitely, lack of space would drive you crazy

stay put, sorry

i wouldn’t downsize with 2 young children. I have 3 and space is vital.

We downsized from a five bed to a large two bed with two bathrooms The only thing we couldn't find space for was a tumble dryer so we bought a washer/dryer.

We only downsized when our youngest was at uni though. Other dc already left. I wouldn't in your position which is why we had the five bed in the first place.

What are your reasons for downsizing with two young children ? Unless it’s absolutely necessary, do you want to be without a table for family meals - somewhere for kids to do crafts, work on projects, meals with friends and family, etc. No space for a washing machine. It sounds like the property will be too small for your needs.

Our tenancy ends in July so we need to move from this house no matter what. The smaller house is below our budget which is rare for the area we are in, everything else is out of our range.

Downsizing with 2 young children, no room for a table, dishwasher, tumble dryer, not much storage and a small garden? Unless you are absolutely financially strapped then you are mad, your day to day life will be uncomfortable and stressful and will only get worse over time as your children grow. What’s your reason for downsizing?

You need to be ruthless and minimalist.

Minimal clothes and toys. It can be done!

You can get worktop mini dishwashers.

Over stairs pulley drier to compensate for no tumble dryer. With a dehumidifier next to it would dry pretty fast.

I moved to a house half the size (which cost twice as much) as I moved back to London. I got rid of loads of stuff but I also have a storage unit, which is expensive but can't see a way of not having one.
I enlarged a hall closest on the first floor and moved the washer/dryer in there, is that a possibility for you? And could you fit a 45cm dishwasher? Or just sacrifice a cupboard.