[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/downsizing-your-apartment-or-home\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/downsizing-your-apartment-or-home\/","headline":"Why Downsizing Your Apartment or Home Can Be the Best Decision","name":"Why Downsizing Your Apartment or Home Can Be the Best Decision","description":"Downsizing used to be reserved for people ready to retire. After all, as you age, you don\u2019t want […]","datePublished":"2023-06-23","dateModified":"2025-10-06","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/#Person","name":"Great Moving (Kevin)","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/author\/kevin\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/b4997c379c86a878ffe0e2cbc54f56f2298ff0763e895fa10c13c22bfb54a237?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"NYC Great Movers","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/nycgreatmovers-logo-20250918.png","width":600,"height":363}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Why-Downsizing-Your-Apartment-or-Home-Can-Be-the-Best-Decision.jpg","url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/Why-Downsizing-Your-Apartment-or-Home-Can-Be-the-Best-Decision.jpg","height":707,"width":1309},"url":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/downsizing-your-apartment-or-home\/","about":["General"],"wordCount":1854,"keywords":["apartment downsizing","downsizing nyc apartment","downsizing nyc home","downsizing NYC house","downsizing your house","NYC apartment downsizing","nyc smaller home","nyc smaller properties","smaller home","smaller home nyc","smaller properties","storage space"],"articleBody":"Downsizing used to be reserved for people ready to retire. After all, as you age, you don\u2019t want to take care of a large three-bedroom apartment by yourself. However, more people are looking to downsize into smaller homes to save money and reduce their environmental footprint. You might have heard about the growing trend of tiny homes, houses that are under 600 square feet, but even just downsizing your house a bit can provide you with plenty of benefits.Less MaintenanceA small home is easy to maintain and requires far less energy and time to keep clean and organized. Even if you do a deep clean of your small house, it won\u2019t take you longer than an hour versus the three or more hours for a larger house. Even with smaller tasks like general vacuuming and dusting, you\u2019ll be spending much less time every day simply because you have fewer square feet to cover. Maintenance TasksTaskRecommended FrequencyPurposeEasy TipChange HVAC FiltersEvery 3 MonthsImproves air quality and efficiencySet phone reminders for each seasonClean Refrigerator CoilsEvery 6 MonthsReduces energy use and extends lifespanUse a vacuum brush attachmentTest Smoke & CO DetectorsMonthlyEnsures safety for your householdReplace batteries twice a yearCheck for Leaks (Sinks & Toilets)QuarterlyPrevents water damage and moldInspect under sinks and behind toiletsInspect Roof & GuttersTwice a Year (Spring & Fall)Avoids costly water damageUse binoculars for roof checksDeep Clean Dryer VentAnnuallyPrevents fire hazardsHire a professional if vent is longSeal Gaps & CracksAnnually (Before Winter)Improves insulation and lowers billsUse weatherstripping tape or caulkFlush Water HeaterOnce a YearRemoves sediment buildupTurn off power before drainingClean Windows & TracksTwice a YearKeeps home bright and dust-freeUse vinegar-water mix for eco-cleaningCheck Exterior Paint & CaulkingAnnuallyPrevents moisture and pest entryTouch up small areas before damage spreads With that said, it is much easier for a smaller home to look dirty and cluttered since you have less storage space. To combat this issue, you will need to be extra cautious about leaving things out on the table or floor. Create an organizational system that makes sense for you and your family, and make sure everyone sticks to it. Some rules you might want to implement are:Returning things back to the appropriate shelf\/drawer\/etc. immediately after useSwitching over your bills and bank\/credit card statements to digital onlyThrowing out boxes as soon as possiblePutting away laundry and clean dishes immediatelySave MoneyThe initial and most obvious way a small house can save your money is that you\u2019ll have a lot more money left over after selling your larger house and purchasing a smaller one. Of course, the cost of the house depends on where you move, but you could potentially have a huge windfall after the sale of your house. You could use that money to pay off your mortgage or put it towards a retirement fund. How Much You Can SaveSavings AreaHow It Saves You MoneyEstimated Annual SavingsAdditional BenefitsHome PurchaseSelling a large home and buying a smaller one leaves extra funds$50,000\u2013$150,000 (one-time)Can pay off debt or boost retirement savingsUtilitiesA smaller space means lower heating, cooling, and electricity costs$600\u2013$1,200 per yearMore sustainable and energy-efficient livingMaintenance & RepairsLess square footage = lower costs for roof, flooring, and paint$1,000\u2013$3,000 per yearEasier to clean and maintainMortgage PaymentsLower property value = smaller monthly payments$3,000\u2013$8,000 per yearReduces financial stress and increases cash flowProperty TaxesSmaller home value = lower annual taxes$1,000\u2013$4,000 per yearMore budget flexibility for lifestyle expensesInsuranceLower replacement cost = cheaper homeowners’ insurance$300\u2013$800 per yearPeace of mind with lower premiumsLifestyle & SpendingLess storage = fewer purchases and less clutter$500\u2013$1,000 per yearEncourages minimalist, intentional living Smaller homes are also cheaper in the long run. A smaller space means you don\u2019t need to spend as much to heat or cool the place. As well, things like roof repair, window upgrades, floor installation, etc., are much cheaper than for larger homes since there\u2019s less square footage. If you weren\u2019t able to buy your house outright, your monthly mortgage payments and taxes are also lower for smaller properties.All of this means you\u2019ll be able to save a lot more money than if you stayed in your larger house. What you do with all that extra cash is up to you! You can put it towards a nice vacation, pay off whatever debt you have, invest in some index funds, or just enjoy a nicer quality of life.More Family TimeYou don\u2019t have to wait until you\u2019re retired to downsize. If you have kids in tow, a smaller home might seem like the last thing you want, but it can actually encourage more bonding time. Of course, you don\u2019t want to squeeze everyone into a small apartment; personal space is important after all. However, cozier spaces like the kitchen and living room can encourage closeness with your family. Sure, your kids will likely spend more time in their room as they get older, but a smaller home can drive more social interaction among family members.You don\u2019t want to go too small, of course. People still have to fit into these rooms. When deciding on your next house, think about your current lifestyle and figure out the bare minimum you need in terms of space. Do you really need a giant kitchen that can fit an extendable 10-foot table, or can you get away with something a bit smaller? Similarly, do you need to have an extra 5 rooms for guests, or can you make do with one or two?Redecorate More OftenSometimes you just need a change of pace. Maybe your tastes have changed or you just want to give your house a makeover. It can be a daunting task with a large house, but a smaller house is the perfect vessel for your creativity. Want to change the exterior of the house? It\u2019ll probably take you a few days to paint your siding. Remodeling your kitchen? You can easily update the countertops and floors on your own and finish it within a day or two. Of course, extensive remodeling will require contractors, but even that will take you less time and money. Redecoration IdeasRoom \/ AreaSeasonal UpdatesRecommended Frequency per YearNotes \/ TipsLiving RoomThrow pillows & cushion covers4Swap colors\/patterns for each seasonLiving RoomCurtains2Lighter fabrics in summer, heavier in winterLiving RoomArea rugs4Cotton for summer, wool for winterLiving RoomWall art \/ framed prints4Rotate prints or artwork seasonallyKitchenTable runners\/placemats4Use seasonal colors or themed d\u00e9corKitchenFlowers \/ potted plants4Seasonal blooms or indoor greeneryBedroomBedding\/comforters4Light sheets in summer, warmer in winterBedroomThrow blankets4Seasonal colors\/textures for cozinessBedroomWall accents \/ small d\u00e9cor items4Swap frames, wall hangings, and ornamentsEntryway \/ HallWelcome mats & small d\u00e9cor4Reflect holidays or seasonal themesBathroomTowels & bath mats4Rotate colors\/patterns seasonallyOutdoor \/ BalconyPlanters\/cushions4Seasonal plants, cushion covers, small accents Even the smallest changes can have a big impact in a small house. Simply adding seasonal accents to shared rooms can tie the house together. Items such as curtains, cut flowers, covers for throw pillows, etc., are all small enough that they won\u2019t take up too much room or too much of your time to swap them out. You could do the same thing in a larger house, but if there\u2019s a lot of empty space, these small changes won\u2019t make as much of a difference.Reduce Your Carbon FootprintEven if you\u2019re not the most environmentally conscious person, by downsizing to a smaller house, you are automatically reducing your impact on the environment. How? For starters, a smaller house requires fewer building materials. On top of that, you\u2019ll be using less energy in general, from heating to cooling to electricity, which means you\u2019re emitting fewer greenhouse gases.Having less space also means you will be less likely to impulse buy items since you won\u2019t have a place to put them. Even if you didn\u2019t set out to be a minimalist, the lack of space means you\u2019ll have to think about each purchase carefully. And the less stuff you buy, the better it is for the planet. Not only are you reducing your carbon footprint, you\u2019re also reducing your overall waste since you\u2019ll likely hold on to items longer until you find a suitable replacement.Downsize to Your New HomeMoving to a new home is a huge decision. Before you downsize, you should really take both your current life and life in 5+ years into consideration. If you\u2019re planning on building your family, downsizing to a studio apartment probably isn\u2019t the best idea. Of course, there are plenty of houses in between a studio and a mansion, so chances are you can find your perfect, small home somewhere in the middle.If you\u2019re ready to downsize, make sure to hire movers to help you make that transition. A good moving crew can make moving day a breeze, so you can get settled and start enjoying your new home.FAQAll of my belongings won\u2019t fit in my smaller home, what should I do?You\u2019ll need to go through everything you own prior to the move and declutter. Chances are you have items you haven\u2019t used (or even seen) for months if not years. Clear out as much as you can. If a lot of your things are still in good shape, sell them at a garage or yard sale to make some extra money for your home. Otherwise, give them away for free and finally throw out whatever is left.What are some downsides to living in a small home?The issues that come with a small house are only an issue if you don\u2019t plan for it. You won\u2019t have as much space, so if you entertain a lot and have a tiny living room, you won\u2019t be able to fit as many people. There\u2019s also less storage available so you won\u2019t be able to keep hundreds of pounds of beans, rice, etc. in a large pantry. However, if you\u2019re aware of these limitations and plan for them, you shouldn\u2019t have any problems.My small house is smaller than I thought, how can I maximize my space?Your best bet is to get creative when it comes to storage. Purchase double-use furniture where you can use it as seating and storage. Find some boxes on wheels and store seasonal clothes and other items under your bed. Put up more shelves and cupboards on your walls for additional storage options."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Why Downsizing Your Apartment or Home Can Be the Best Decision","item":"https:\/\/nycgreatmovers.com\/blog\/downsizing-your-apartment-or-home\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]