Moving from a house to an apartment can be bittersweet. Whether you’re making the move due to relocation for work or a lower cost of living, retirement or becoming an empty nester, change can lead to all sorts of different emotions, so it makes sense that you want to streamline the process as best as possible.
But successful downsizing is about more than just squeezing your current house into tighter quarters. Here’s how to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Maybe downsizing to an apartment is a thoughtful choice you’ve made with excitement and optimism. Maybe it’s a practical move that simply feels necessary. Whatever your reason, whether you’re full of enthusiasm or a bit of trepidation, you’ll likely find that there are many advantages to apartment living after a house.
While it does depend on where you live and where you’re moving to, a smaller apartment just might come with reduced monthly housing expenses. This can include lower utility costs, and if you’re transitioning from being a homeowner, no property taxes or homeowners insurance. It also means you don’t have to stress if an appliance breaks or your roof springs a leak – your landlord will cover those potentially pricey home repairs.
Of course, all of your potential savings depends on the location, the size, building fees, etc. But if saving money is your goal, making the move from a house to an apartment can certainly help you accomplish that.
As mentioned, moving into an apartment can also mean spending less time, money and effort on upkeep and maintenance. Your landlord or property manager will likely handle any problems that arise, so you can spend your time, money and energy on… well, anything else.
Sick of raking leaves, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow and pulling weeds? When you downsize from a house and move into an apartment, you get the luxury of enjoying available outdoor space without being responsible for maintaining it yourself.
Some apartment complexes offer amenities for renters to enjoy, such as an on-site fitness center, a pool, barbecue areas, coworking spaces, coffee stations and more. While things like a private pool or a sleek office space may not be affordable or practical in your own house, you can enjoy these luxuries included in the price of your apartment rent.
Close proximity to neighbors in an apartment building means easy access to new friends and a built-in community. If you’re looking to expand your circle or find support in a new place, apartment complexes can make it feel a lot easier and more accessible than it might in a house.
Apartment living offers a ton of flexibility you don’t really have as a homeowner. Many leases are one year or less, making renting an enticing option for anyone not ready to commit to a long-term home base. If you’re adjusting to a new city or transitioning into a new chapter of life, renting an apartment can give you flexibility to explore your options.
Even the most well-thought-out and exciting change can bring challenges and growing pains. Understanding some of the common challenges in the transition from house to apartment can help you know what to expect and, hopefully, ease their impact.
You’re likely going to have less space for living and storage. The furniture and belongings that fit neatly into the rooms, closets and cabinets of your house may not fit quite so neatly into your new apartment. This may mean making difficult choices about what to bring, what to leave and how to maximize the storage space you do have.
Apartment living means sharing: sharing walls, sharing hallways, sharing outdoor space, sharing mail rooms and maybe even sharing laundry rooms. If you’re a self-described neat freak or Type A personality, you may have a tough time adjusting to not being able to control things like cleanliness, access and noise.
Moving from a house to an apartment may also mean sacrificing a private backyard or patio for a small balcony or shared outdoor space. This adjustment may be particularly jarring for people who have pets or engage in outdoor hobbies. While you have the privilege of no more yard work, you also have to get used to leashing your animals and sharing space.
Odds are, parking at your new apartment will be a bit more challenging than parking at your house. No more private driveway or garage means increased difficulty with things like unloading groceries, hosting visitors and so on. As you tour different apartment options, make sure to ask about assigned parking, personal garages and parking costs so you know exactly what to expect.
Because you’re sharing space with other renters, you’ll also have to abide by your apartment building’s specific rules and requirements. Many buildings have rules about what types of pets you can have, when and how much noise you can make, how you can or cannot decorate, and how you can utilize your outdoor space. You’ll want to read your lease agreement and complex rules carefully so that you don’t lose your security deposit or make enemies with your neighbors.
Don’t let the challenges of this transition scare you or deter you from making the move from house to apartment. With some careful planning, you can avoid unnecessary stress and expense as you make the transition.
This isn’t the time to eyeball or guesstimate. Get your detailed floor plan, take your own measurements and get used to carrying around your tape measure and a pencil as you’re planning your move. Which of your existing furniture pieces can realistically fit into the new space? How much room does that leave for walking around? Remember, the goal is not to simply squeeze everything you currently own into your new apartment; take what you can, but be open to change if necessary.
Which pieces are essential or exceptionally meaningful? Which pieces can be donated or tossed without a second thought? What may need to be swapped or sacrificed? This is the perfect opportunity to really consider how you currently use your furniture and what truly needs to come with you to your new home.
Identify which pieces will fit well in your new space and which will feel too large or overpowering. Don’t be afraid to purge, because you are not doing yourself any favors if your new apartment feels overstuffed and claustrophobic. You’ve got this!
This is a great time to declutter your belongings. Keep functional household items and deeply sentimental items, but be willing to let go of anything else. If you wouldn’t purchase the item today, why hold on to it? Saying goodbye to things can feel difficult and emotional, but a cluttered apartment can have its own downsides on your mental well-being.
By carefully planning your move, you’ll give yourself time to donate and sell the things you aren’t bringing along. Selling items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or hosting a good old-fashioned garage sale can help you declutter while putting some extra cash in your pocket for inevitable moving costs.
You may need to be a bit strategic about storage in your new apartment. Less floor space means you’ll need to maximize your vertical space with things like tall shelves, wall hooks and other wall-mounted organizers. Under-the-bed storage can replace that extra linen closet. Dual-purpose furniture, like storage ottomans, can provide extra organization without requiring extra furniture.
Moving from a larger house to a smaller apartment can require a full mindset shift. You want to create a tailored home based on the space and layout you currently have, rather than what you had before.
It’s all about proportions. Moving into an apartment may mean looking for more compact, apartment-friendly pieces, like a bistro table instead of that stately dining room table, or a queen bed instead of a king. Oversized furniture can quickly make a room feel cramped and smaller than it actually is, so prioritize choosing pieces that are appropriately sized for your new home.
Just because you’ve historically set up your couch, coffee table and TV in a certain way doesn’t mean that is what is going to work best in your new apartment. Experiment with your furniture configuration, using your new apartment’s layout as your starting point. As you live in your new home, don’t be afraid to make changes based on things like traffic flow, functionality and natural lighting.
Maximize every square foot! Dual-purpose rooms will give you the most bang for your buck, and designing them with multifunctionality in mind is key. Your dining room can be your home office by day (and a dining console table with storage is the perfect place to stash your work supplies!). And choosing a sleeper sofa for your living room means it can turn into a guest bedroom in a snap. At every turn, ask yourself if you’re using your space to its full potential.
Sometimes downsizing is as much about what you don’t move as what you do. Instead of paying to transport bulky furniture that may overwhelm your new apartment, CORT Furniture Rental lets you furnish the home you’re moving to. With flexible lease terms, apartment-friendly furniture packages and delivery and setup handled for you, you can arrive with less and still have a comfortable, functional space on the other side.
