Rightsizing Made Easy: A Practical Downsizing Guide
Downsizing and rightsizing are two practical approaches that can help you adjust your living space to better fit your current needs. Downsizing often involves reducing the size of your home or belongings, while rightsizing focuses on tailoring your environment to suit your lifestyle. While downsizing can bring relief by alleviating the burden of maintaining a large home or yard, rightsizing is about more than just reducing possessions. It is about creating a living space that truly works for you—whether that means making your home more functional, comfortable, or aligned with your priorities.
Preparing for a move can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when it comes to downsizing. We spoke with Lyn Spaeth, co-founder of Luxe Home Staging and Design and a downsizing and move-in expert, to gather her top tips for a joyful transition.
In this article, we will guide you through the emotional and practical aspects of downsizing, helping you focus on what truly matters and making the process feel empowering as you prepare for your next chapter.
What Is Downsizing vs. Rightsizing?
Downsizing and rightsizing are often used interchangeably, but they take different approaches to shaping your living space. Downsizing focuses on reducing the size of your home or belongings, while rightsizing is about creating a living environment that aligns with your needs and lifestyle, ensuring comfort and harmony without excess clutter.
The First Step in Your Rightsizing Journey
Start with Support
One of the first steps in rightsizing is finding someone to support you through the process. This could be a friend or family member who can offer a fresh perspective and help keep you motivated. A non-emotional viewpoint can be incredibly helpful when dealing with items that carry sentimental value. You would be surprised at how quickly a little encouragement from a loved one can boost your morale during this transition.
A Simple Plan for Downsizing Your Belongings
Tackle the Easy Stuff First
To build confidence, begin with the simpler tasks. Sort through items that do not carry emotional weight, such as:
- Furniture
- Clothes
- Books
- Tools
- Papers
- Miscellaneous items
By starting with these easier categories, you will gain momentum and feel empowered to continue. Once you successfully clear the clutter in these areas, you will be ready to tackle more sentimental items.
How to Decide What to Keep: The 3 Key Questions
Assess Your Belongings with Clarity
When you are faced with a pile of items, it can be hard to know what to keep. A simple method is to group similar items together and ask yourself these three questions:
- Is it valuable?
- Do you love it?
- Do you use it?
If the answer is “yes” to any of these questions, then that item is a keeper. If not, it is time to let go.
Shift Your Focus: Keep What You Love
Focus on What You Are Gaining, Not What You Are Losing
The process of downsizing can be emotional, but it is important to remember that rightsizing is about gaining a space that better fits your current life. By focusing on what you are keeping—those items that bring you joy and comfort—you will experience a more positive, fulfilling transition.
By adopting this mindset, you can avoid dwelling on the loss of possessions and instead, embrace the opportunity to curate a home that reflects your values and aspirations.
Keep the Process Fun and Uplifting
Make Rightsizing Enjoyable
A successful rightsizing experience is easier when you approach it with a plan. Playing music, enlisting a friend, or taking breaks with a favorite snack can help make the process feel less overwhelming. Rather than focusing on what you are parting with, try to view it as an opportunity to create a living space that better suits your needs. There is no single right way to go about it—what matters most is finding an approach that works for you.
Why Consider Rightsizing at The Commons?
Discover a Simplified, Vibrant Lifestyle
If you are ready to downsize but still want the comfort and quality of a well-designed home, The Commons is the ideal place for you. Choose from a range of apartment home sizes and styles to find the perfect fit. Our elegantly appointed apartment homes offer up to 1,400 square feet with open floor plans and thoughtful designs and include home maintenance and housekeeping, so you can enjoy a vibrant community with fewer responsibilities and more time for what matters most.