Adjusting your life to a significantly lower amount of square footage after living in a spacious home is a tricky task. How can you possibly fit all of your possessions into an apartment and still keep the same level of comfort? The thing is – you can’t. Although moving from a house to an apartment comes with a long list of perks, it also requires a hefty dose of compromise. With that said, once you get caught up in the hecticness of preparations, it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, how do you make the whole ordeal less stressful and more successful? Read on to find out.
Rethink your possessions
Let’s address the elephant in the room straight away – fitting all of the possessions from your home into an apartment won’t be possible. The sooner you come to terms with that, the better.
The first step toward a successful transition is downsizing your belongings. So, way before you start packing for the relocation, take a good look at the things you wish to move with you. Some of the items you own might be entirely unnecessary in your new apartment. Collect them into a pile and figure out whether you want to sell, donate, or throw them away. This will ensure a much more straightforward process of moving from a house to an apartment.
Focus your creativity on storage
Although downsizing is a must, you probably won’t be able to part with as many things as you should. And unless you want to turn your new, slightly less spacious living space into something that resembles a warehouse, you will need to focus on finding creative storage solutions. Luckily, there is plenty of inspiration to be found online, so make sure to warm up your fingertips. Maximizing the usage of available space and exploiting its full potential should be your two primary goals.
A tape measure is your biggest ally
Eyeballing whether your furniture will fit into the apartment is a risky game. Luckily, a tape measure is all you need to err on the side of caution. Make sure to measure everything twice and try to find alternatives for the oversized pieces. Even if you can physically fit your couch or dining table through the door, consider whether these pieces look like they belong in a smaller space.
Use interior design to your advantage
A small space doesn’t necessarily have to feel small. A wide variety of interior design hacks can help you make your new home appear more spacious.
A light color palette and clever decorating will ensure a more open feel of the space. Depending on the amount of natural light your apartment gets, you want to include adequate lighting in the areas that need it most. In addition to organizing your apartment to the tiniest details, make sure to keep clutter at bay by reassessing your belongings regularly.
Multifunctional furniture will make your life easier
Multifunctional furniture is a hack many apartment dwellers swear by. When the space is limited, your best bet is to use what you have in multiple ways. The good news is, there are many options out there, so you won’t have to compromise style and comfort when searching for the right pieces. Storage stools and ottomans, convertible sofas, and folding tables are just the tip of the iceberg.
Focus on the perks of apartment living
Doubting your decision to downsize is almost inevitable in the midst of packing, organizing, and moving. After all, switching to a smaller space implies some significant changes that are not easy to get used to. When these thoughts creep into your head, try not to let them defeat you. Instead, focus on the positive aspects of this transition. Apartment living comes with many valuable advantages, such as lower utility bills, less maintenance, and less responsibility. This could potentially allow you to invest your money and time into things you weren’t able to so far.
Get some help
A friendly helping hand will turn moving from a house to an apartment into a much simpler task. So, order a couple of pizzas and invite a few of your friends or family members to help you pack for the relocation. Ensuring you have everything you need near you will be much easier with some assistance.
Alternatively, if this is not a viable option, hiring a moving company might be a good idea. Remember that there will be a lot of narrow hallways, tight elevators, and even steep staircases to navigate, which is not something you should attempt to do alone.
Final thoughts on moving from a house to an apartment
If you want to make moving from a house to an apartment work, all you essentially need is a good plan and an optimistic attitude. Naturally, if you manage to get your hands on a unit that fits your needs and lifestyle, the entire transition will be much less painful. Still, don’t despair if you run into a few bumps along the way. Introducing drastic changes into your lifestyle is rarely easy, but you will surely feel more confident about your decision if you focus on the perks that await.
