Settle in—this post is a deep dive. It’s one of those long, detailed reflection pieces that takes its time. If you love that kind of slow read, grab a cup of coffee and join us. In this post we’ll cover:
- Tips and insights we learned about downsizing over the last few years
- Which items from our larger home came with us and still work in the smaller house
- Why those pieces succeeded here
- What we learned in hindsight about packing for a move
The idea for this piece started while we were sitting in our downstairs seating area and realized much of the furniture there was selected specifically for this smaller space after we moved. The loveseat, chairs, and coffee table were all purchased to fit this new, compact layout. Conversely, the rug, tray, vase, planter, several pieces of art, and a nearby bookcase actually came with us from our previous home. That raised a lot of useful questions: how much of our old furniture would still exist in year three of downsizing? Which items would we keep for over a decade, and why did some pieces have a better chance of lasting in a smaller house than others?
We would have loved a crystal ball to know exactly what to bring when we filled that 16′ pod for the move, but downsizing rarely offers perfect foresight. We measured rooms and pre-planned, but nothing compares to living in the space and experimenting with layouts until something feels right. There’s nothing wrong with buying new pieces to suit a smaller footprint—especially when you’re shrinking from 3,150 square feet and 14 rooms to roughly 1,400 square feet and 6 rooms. We sold many pieces with our old house because they simply wouldn’t fit in the smaller place.
Overall, downsizing is a balance of surrounding yourself with things that make you happiest and that function as well as possible—and letting go of the rest. Our “bring” decisions were based on:
- Measurements—some things simply wouldn’t fit
- Previous use—if we didn’t use it in our last house, we usually didn’t keep it
- Educated guesses—there’s no crystal ball, but common sense helps
- Function—would a particular rug trap sand in a beach house, for example?
- Gut feelings—”I won’t miss this” versus “I’ll regret not having this”
- Emotional attachment to a few sentimental items that we treasure even in a smaller home
There’s no single formula that works for everyone, but evaluating items this way before they went into the moving pod helped. Looking back a few years later, the choices that lasted tell a clear story: smaller, versatile pieces and meaningful items fared best. We’ll share lessons after highlighting pieces that stuck around.
One general tip that applies regardless of home size: be open to letting your new home evolve. The best results often come from trial and error. When we first landed, our sitting area looked chaotic—because we were testing layouts and learning how we actually used the space. Over time the room found its rhythm.
Some pieces moved from room to room until we found the right home for them, while others were donated once they proved impractical. A clear example: our six-drawer dressers were eventually replaced by narrower three-drawer dressers that fit better and double as nightstands in smaller bedrooms.
The Upstairs Family Room
Upstairs is where most of the furniture from our previous home lives. That makes sense—this family room is the largest living space here, so it could accommodate items that wouldn’t work downstairs. The room essentially absorbed the functions of three separate spaces from our old house: the office, the family room, and the kids’ art area. Because it’s multifunctional, it works exceptionally well for everyday life.
Our Previous Home’s Office
We recreated the old office setup in the big room—our Parsons desk flanked by two bookshelves—except now it sits in front of three windows. A small tweak made the desk work even better here: we removed the two back legs so the desk back rests on the windowsill, reclaiming a few inches and improving traffic flow. Practical adjustments like this make older pieces feel new and functional.
Some items from the old office migrated to unexpected spots and thrived—our metallic cowhide rug now anchors the downstairs sitting area because it’s neutral, compact, and doesn’t interfere with the front door. In general, neutral, versatile items are winners in a smaller house.
What We Learned About Packing For A Move / Downsizing
1. Know which large spaces need large pieces
We wasted pod space on a few big items that didn’t suit our long-term layout, like the wider six-drawer dressers. In hindsight we would have prioritized outdoor furniture because this house has many porches and decks that needed furnishing.
2. Bring the small things you truly love
If moving space is tight, it’s tempting to sacrifice small sentimental items for larger furniture. Don’t. Framed photos, lamps, and plants made the new house feel like home quickly. If it’s small and meaningful, bring it—then sell or donate what you don’t love once you settle in.
3. Stay flexible and embrace evolution
We repurposed items rather than forcing them into the same role they had in the old house. A shelf that was decorative in one house became kitchen storage in the new one. Flexibility saved us money and kept beloved items in circulation.
4. Think cohesively
Keeping a consistent style—light wood, neutrals, inlay, capiz, brass, marble, pastels, and lots of plants—made it easy to move pieces around without anything feeling out of place. Don’t bring single items you’re lukewarm about; be ruthless with filler stuff.
5. Be patient
Downsizing is a process. It took years for this house to come together. Give yourself time to test layouts and find the right spots. Many pieces can move around until they land in the right place, and that’s okay.
One surprise MVP of our move was simple white planters we’ve used for years. Small, inexpensive staples like that can travel house to house and continue to feel fresh. Ultimately, if you don’t use an item before downsizing, it’s likely safe to donate or sell. If you love something—big or small—bring it, make it work, and be open to it changing function. That mindset kept our move sane and helped our smaller home become welcoming, functional, and truly ours.
We hope this reflection is helpful whether you’re about to downsize or just enjoy a good home tour and strategy session. Downsizing can feel intimidating, but leaning into flexibility, cohesion, and keeping what you truly love makes the transition far easier and more rewarding.
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