Downsizing Tips for Empty Nesters
It seems that the housing issues in Melbourne haven’t escaped downsizers. With the Government creating financial incentives for people over 55 to downsize. However, from my experience older people really struggle to let go of their family home. So here are my downsizing tips for empty nesters.
Reasons why people struggle to downsize
From my experience downsizing is hard. I hear the stories my mum tells me about her friends. I hear what my friends tell me about their parents and empathise.
It makes sense that downsizing is hard for some older Australians because as people age they want to be in a familiar environment. Change doesn’t seem to suit a lot of older people whether they are well in their health or not.
Particularly, if they health issues, it’s even harder for older people to make the decision to leave their home. A lot of people simply want to die at home. As difficult as this sounds it seems like a common request.
Older people want to stay in their family home even if the family home is run down, too big or simply not appropriate. They want to stay even if they can’t afford to maintain or update the home.
I can understand why older people struggle to downsize. Firstly, moving is one of life’s most difficult experiences and this stress is amplified for people who are older, perhaps less mobile, or have a particularly strict budget or health issues.
Also, when you’ve worked so hard for something like a family home for such a long time, it’s simply hard to let it go. Many older Australians also want to gift their home to their children rather than sell to strangers.
For all these reasons and many more people struggle to downsize.
The benefits of downsizing for empty nesters
As difficult at downsizing can be, it can be the beginning of a wonderful new life, here are my top tips to ensure the downsizing experience is as positive as possible.
If you decide to downsize, it’s important to plan your space thoroughly. As you will be moving into a smaller space and you simply can’t take everything with you.
The process of decluttering is an important part of the downsizing move. This in itself can take both a long time and an emotional toll. I often recommend working with a professional organiser to help with this stage.
Many people, including my clients, attach a lot of sentimental value to objects. For example with some of my project work this could be art my clients have collected over the years.
While I’m no art expert with the information my client provides about the story and value of the art we can make a decision together whether to keep it or not.
The biggest change, from an interior design perspective, will be furniture. Most empty nesters will have large dining tables or sofas.
This makes sense because you need a large dining table and sofa for a family. But these large pieces may not fit into your new smaller home. Especially if that home is now an apartment rather than a house.
Stylistically, your furniture may be outdated and weary. Do you want to bring a large family sized modular sofa into a new modern sophisticated apartment setting?
New, quality furniture that suits your interior style preferences is definitely a benefit of downsizing. This change from practical kid friendly furniture is rewarding.
Another good tip is to engage professionals such as a property stylist to help you style your old home for sale to get maximum price.
Engage an interior designer to create a beautiful interior in your new home to realise your lifestyle vision. The right professionals, from real estate agent, to financial planner will also alleviate some of the stress and decision making.
Consider your storage needs and whether you have enough storage in your new home. Do this after you declutter. From my experience, especially in apartment settings, there is limted storage space such as wardrobes.
Admittedly, the empty nesters I have worked with have decided to stay in their home rather than down size. Firstly, because they like the neighbourhood and have connections. Secondly, because they like the space and feel comfortable. Finally, because they want to enjoy the home they’ve worked so hard to actually own.
But if you do decide to downsize then working with an interior designer is a valuable idea. To work through what furniture and furnishings to keep or not and to create a wonderful new aesthetic filled with beautiful quality pieces.