Moving from big to small: from a big house to a smaller home

On behalf of the Moving team, we want to show you how to move from big to small smoothly. Maybe you currently live in a big house and want to downsize because you have too much maintenance. Or you simply want to reduce your housing costs. In this article, we will address you directly and give you as many tips as possible to make your move to a smaller home successful. We have chosen a varied writing style so that you do not get bored. We hope that you read this and think: "This sounds like someone who is helping me personally."

A smaller house – a bigger world: the magic of smaller living

Living smaller may sound like a limitation. However, it can lead to more freedom. You get fewer rooms, but you often also lose worries and costs. You discover that you do not need all your possessions to live comfortably. This way you expand your world outside your home because you save time and money that you would otherwise spend on maintenance and high bills. Move with a peace of mind, so check in advance which items you take with you and which not.

Moving to a smaller home is a liberation

I once heard a friend say that she felt liberated when she left her big house. She stopped endlessly cleaning rooms that she hardly ever used. She threw herself into fun trips with friends because she suddenly had more money. You often hear stories like that when people move to a smaller house and get rid of excess stuff. It feels like you are clearing your head. When you are going to move, it is important to look at the available square meters.

One person wants a smaller home and another a large home

Everyone has a different story. Maybe you live in a single-family home in the Amsterdam area, or maybe your family rents a large social housing unit in the countryside. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for moving. Some people move in together and want to combine their two households into one smaller home. Others are looking for a single-storey home because climbing stairs is no longer practical. Remember, there is no ‘wrong’ way to downsize, only your way. Moving soon? Moving can be daunting, but it can also be an exciting time. There are simply things to consider, but luckily we are here to help.

Moving to a smaller home: is it a good idea or not?

You may be wondering if downsizing is right for you. Sometimes it’s a good idea to first write down why you want to do it. Maybe you want to save on your mortgage, you want to let go of stuff, or you’re tired of living in a big house that you don’t really need. Maybe you’re moving soon and are wondering if you should consider renting a storage unit. Look at your priorities and decide if that small-scale lifestyle is a better fit for you. If you’re used to a single-family home, it can be difficult to adjust to a small studio. For example, where do you put all your dishes? In a big house, you don’t think much about taking stuff, but in a small home, you have to think about a lot of things. 

I spoke to someone who lived in a large 1930s house. He loved the authentic details. But he spent hours pruning and scrubbing. He eventually opted for a smaller house. Now he can cycle and walk on the weekends because he doesn’t have to do constant DIY. Use smart storage solutions so you don’t run into problems.

Moving to a smaller home: what are the considerations?

1. Downsizing and space

You might lose an attic or extra guest room. That sounds like a disadvantage but sometimes it motivates you to minimize. Declutter or use smart storage solutions such as special boxes from IKEA.

2. Your new home and the costs

Moving costs money, as does hiring a moving company. However, you will have lower monthly payments or rent if you choose to downsize. People may also come and stay with you.

3. Moving to a smaller home and location

Perhaps you want to move to a smaller house near the city. Then consider that the demand for available space in large cities can be higher. See if you qualify for social housing. 

4. Emotional value and decluttering

You leave rooms and memories behind. Your grandmother's crocheted chair may not fit in your new home. That can hurt. So you have to think carefully when you take things with you. Some things take up less space, for example, but tall cabinets, for example, you often cannot move with you. 

My uncle was all about sentiment. He was selling a large home where he had lived for 30 years. He said he felt guilty about those four walls. Yet, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders once he settled into a smaller home with less expenses.

What are the options for downsizing?

Option 1. Apartment

Often you pay service charges but you have less maintenance. In a small apartment you might be able to buy a bed with extra drawers so you have more storage space for stuff.

Option 2. Tiny house

They are not big but cozy. Take into account the laws and regulations in your municipality of Amsterdam or elsewhere. In a tiny house you also create space for the smaller items that you take with you. 

Option 3. Senior housing

A ground floor home saves the hassle of stairs and can be suitable for lifelong living. In a senior home, there is unfortunately often little space for storing things. It is therefore very important to look at all the necessary items. 

Option 4. Cohousing

You share spaces such as the garden or guest rooms with others. Not to everyone's taste but it can reduce costs. You can use our moving calculator so you know exactly how many moving boxes you need.

I once spoke to a couple who traded in their huge villa for a tiny house. They described it as 'camping but permanent'. They had halved their entire household effects and didn't miss anything. They could focus better on what was really important to them.

What are the benefits of living smaller?

• Lower costs: You pay less rent or a lower new mortgage if you rent. Digitize your documents so that you always have them at hand. 
• Less maintenance: No days of cleaning, just simple cleaning rounds.
• More free time: More hours to exercise, pursue hobbies or expand your social life.
• Space for experience: A house full of stuff can feel overwhelming. With less stuff, you'll have more mental peace.

I know someone who said that with the money he saved on his energy bill he could finance a night out every month, and that motivated him to keep going.

What are the disadvantages of living smaller?

Limited storage space

You can't keep every memento. That sometimes leads to difficult decisions about your items. Look at it yourself, but also ask for help from family and friends. Maybe there are sisters or brothers who would like to take something from you temporarily. 

Less space for guests, so less comfortable

Moving to a smaller home means that the guest room will disappear. You can then offer a sleeping space on the couch. Perhaps you can even buy a sofa bed so that your guests can still sleep comfortably.

Difficult farewell to memories

That cupboard from your grandfather, your collection of coffee tables or that china set may not be able to come with you. You may be able to store these in a storage unit that you can pay for monthly.

Minimize adjustment period

You have to get used to the new space and the fact that you can't just walk into an extra room if you want silence. This can be frustrating in some cases, but of course you will get used to it quickly. 

However, you often find creative solutions. For example, you can use an inflatable guest mattress. This saves space and you still have the possibility to receive friends.

Prioritize the things you use

Ask yourself if you really need all those pieces of furniture, clothes and accessories. Sometimes you only use 80% of your stuff 20% of the time. Make lists and really put what you use often. Then sort:

• Save: for things you need every day.
• Give away: for example, clothing or books to charity.
• To sell: Put valuable but unnecessary possessions on Marktplaats, so you can save money and earn something back.
• Throw away: broken things that you can no longer repair.

You notice how good it feels when you only keep what is really valuable or useful. An acquaintance of mine once said: "My house became ten times bigger when I got rid of half my stuff."

The Importance of Decluttering

Decluttering may sound like a buzzword but it simply means letting go of stuff. Throw away what you no longer need and organize what you keep.

1. Less chaos, so look at what you really need

You can see more quickly what you own and where it is. You no longer have to search all the rooms for that one thing you've been looking for all week. How nice is that? A bonus, right?

2. Clean the storage space faster

There are no piles of clutter in the way. Because you don't have stuff you don't use anymore, you won't encounter clutter anywhere and you'll experience this more calmly in your head. 

3. Less stress about making a choice, because you have fewer possessions

You don't search endlessly for that one shirt if you only have ten instead of thirty. This is not only good for your head, but of course also for the environment, right?

Decluttering contributes to a stress-free move. You pack fewer boxes and you finish faster. A colleague told me that thanks to decluttering she was able to move her entire belongings with two cars full. She did not need to rent extra storage space and that saved a lot of money.

Budget and financial benefits of moving from large to small

Cost item	Pay attention to this
Moving company	Request multiple quotes because rates vary considerably
New mortgage or lease	Check interest or rental price to avoid financial surprises
Storage	Decide if you really need storage or if you would be better off decluttering
New furniture and furnishings	See if you can reuse or sell your old furniture

You can save a lot if you approach moving smartly. Moving to a smaller home means lower monthly payments and often lower energy costs. I once heard that someone was able to cover the costs of the moving company with the proceeds from selling furniture.

The emotional side of downsizing

Downsizing sometimes hits a nerve. You leave behind a big house full of memories. Those rooms where your children grew up or where you had parties for years disappear from your daily life. Still, you should focus on what you gain:

• More peace: You have less cleaning to do and you lose the uneasy feeling of unused rooms.
• More freedom: You have time and budget for fun outings.
• New start: You can furnish your new home with a fresh style that suits your current life.

I spoke to someone who felt melancholy for a week after leaving her current home. After a few days, she realized she had room for new memories and felt relief. This shows that emotion and logic sometimes alternate when moving.

Practical steps: from a large house to a smaller home – how do you go about it?

1. Preparing for a comfortable move

Make a clear checklist. Think about what you can do yourself and what you want help with. Consider hiring a professional moving company.

2. Sorting and packing to keep everything running smoothly

Start early with things you don't need right away. Divide your household effects into keep and throw away categories.

3. Furniture on your moving day

Give helpers a task list so everyone knows exactly what to do. Have some drinks and sandwiches ready.

4. Arriving at your smaller home

Measure the dimensions of your new place so that your furniture is not unexpectedly too big. Place cabinets against the wall immediately and think about where you want your walkway.

On moving day itself I once saw someone's kitchen unit not quite fit through the doorway. Luckily they used a screwdriver and dismantled part of the unit. These things happen. Just make the best of it.

Checklists and useful tools

• Digital planners: Consider Trello or Asana to structure your tasks.
• Paper checklists: Put them on the fridge or in the hallway so everyone knows what needs to be done.
• Moving labels: Stick them on boxes and note which room they go to.
• Related blogs: For example, search for “moving from large to small” or “storage space for rent” to read the experiences of others.

A friend of mine once used an old-fashioned whiteboard for his move to a smaller apartment. He wrote down on it what had to be done in each room. That worked very clearly for all the helpers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal stories and practical examples

Case study – Lisa and Remco
They moved to a smaller house near the city center. They first minimized their collection of old CDs and books. They told us they didn't miss anything because they now stream music and e-books. With the money they saved on their big house they went to Paris for a weekend.

Case study – Karin
Karin lived in a large social housing unit. When her children left home, she opted for a senior housing unit. She thought she would feel lonely. That turned out not to be the case. Her new home is furnished in such a way that friends and family like to visit. She doesn't have to climb any stairs, so she has more energy for her grandchildren.

Final tips for a smaller living space

You see. Moving to a smaller home can make sense when your life changes. Maybe your big home is costing you more time and money than you would like, or you need less space after your children have left home. Take a good look at your living space, sort through your belongings and donate what you don’t need. Often you feel a huge sense of relief afterwards. Big leaps sometimes start with a small step.

It's your mindset

Remember that downsizing is not just about where you live, it’s also about your mindset. A smaller home means a bigger life outside, more time for hobbies, and less worry. Focus on what you can have instead of what you’re leaving behind.

Moving is happy to help you

We are curious about your experience. Do you have any tips about moving to a smaller home or about living smaller? Share your story in the comments. You can also ask your questions and our community or we at Moving will try to help you. Did you find this article useful? Share it with others who may also be moving and are looking for a stress-free approach. We would love to hear how it goes.

Good luck from the entire Moving team. We are keeping our fingers crossed for a comfortable and pleasant transition from large to small. If you need our help, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are ready to make your move to a smaller home a lot easier.