When we decided to sell the “big house”, I really didn’t want to downsize a lot, however, that seems to be what we did. If you are trying to downsize or just lighten up, here are a few tips that might help you. ( UPDATE: This post covers our current and last homes. After the “big house” we have downsized twice.)
I am always asked a lot of questions about my living room. I know I have shown it so many times that most of you feel like you live her, however there are some basic questions or comments that I hear over and over, so I thought I would answer them here.
How to downsize and create your dream with Thrift Store finds.
We sold the “big house” and downsized 8 10 years ago. Our home sold in 1 hour with a bidding war and for $25,000 over the asking price. The only condition was, could we move in 3 weeks. Now I hadn’t even looked for a home yet, so I was under a ton of pressure. I needed something ready to move in. This was a builder basic “Spec Home”. Not my true love, but the price was right. I didn’t do much when we moved in but place what furniture I could into each room and call it good. I soon found out that downsizing was much harder than I had ever thought and I really missed the big house. Finally I decided to love where I am and make it work for us, so there have been many transitions over the last 8 10 years.
Here are a couple of pictures of our living and dining area in the previous home. Now don’t laugh at the decor, this was the early 90’s and I was heavy into my red and gold phase.
The living/dining area measured 25 x 40 and had two story vaulted ceilings, so lots of room and space.
This is our current living/dining area. The space measure 17 x 21″8″
Since the front door opens directly into the room and becomes the walkway to the rest of the house, you are really down to about 14 ft. wide. That creates a really cozy space for two rooms, so the furniture had to be small in scale.
The life saver of this room is the large mirror from our previous house, it almost becomes a mirrored wall and gives the illusion of twice the space. I found it at a design studio, it was so big no one wanted it, so I was able to get it for $229. That’s a great price for a 4 x 8 ft. mirror.
Small space solutions are the small chest in front of the window instead of a larger console or chest. The sofa has been downsized also. Changing out an 8 ft sofa for a 61/2 ft one with low profile arms definitely fits the space better. (This is also a super bargain that I got when a neighbor was moving and couldn’t use it. $100, can’t beat that.)
I think one of the biggest changes in making the room appear larger is when I changed out the drapes so they match the wall color. they fade into the background rather than stand out and draw attention, plus hanging them from the ceiling creates the illusion of space and height. (These are also a thrifty treasure since they were my daughters. She got new and I got her old. Love them.)
(2016 I’ve updated some pictures to reflect my current room)
The first drapes that I used in the living room were gorgeous, I absolutely loved both fabrics and how the brown drapes looked, however, they definitely do grab your attention and make the walls appear closer. Sometimes it is best to keep the drapes neutral to match the walls.
I am asked about the two leather chairs all the time too. Well, they are treasures I found at a consignment shop years ago and I was so thrilled to have a real leather chair that I bought both. I paid $100 a piece. The tufted one doesn’t have any tags on it, but the other one is Ethan Allen. I just can’t seem to part with them and this is the only place they fit, so they stay. I think you have to keep some favorites regardless of size, style or space. (Are you beginning to see a pattern here, $100 chairs and $100 sofa)
Using a really small end table on one side of the sofa and a small skirted table on the other also conserves space. This little table was a Goodwill find for $15.
A small scale open arm chair allows you to see through, under and around the chair instead of blocking the view and creating a solid barrier. (This piece was in my old house and was a floor model clearance chair. I think it was around $100.)
Since there are legs on the dining table and chairs, the skirted table brings color and something solid to this end of the sofa while it still blends into the wall since it has a neutral fabric. A table with legs would look crowded even though it would be more open. Just too many legs in one spot. Table rounds are really inexpensive and a Goodwill tablecloth looks amazing.
(Another updated picture from 2016)
On the dining end I chose a really large painting to draw attention to this end of the room. Again, one large painting has a clean uncluttered look. The simple bouquet in the painting allows you to feel as if you are looking beyond it. Smaller pictures or a gallery wall would close the space in. The painting was a “Starving Artist” piece for $79.
The things I have learned during the last 8 10 years is you can use some of your larger furniture and art, just be careful to keep it to a minimum in any one room. Smaller scaled, open and airy pieces don’t close a room in, but be careful of getting too leggy. Oversized stuffed furniture pieces and big boxy cabinet pieces are really hard to work around in a small space. One or two pieces can become a focal point and give a room character if the other pieces are more in scale with the room size, so pick and choose which pieces you want to have as a focal point.
Every space needs to evolve, so keep making changes until you finally get the look you are seeking.
(Another 2016 update – Here we are with the new wood floors, so things are still changing.)
I am not sure if I will ever have this room “done”, but for now I love it.
Wall mirror – $229
Sofa – $100
Leather Chairs – $100 ea.
Floor Model Chair – $100
End Table $15
Painting – $79
Fast Forward to December 2016 and we sold this home and bought a new home. Same square footage, so still downsized. Living and dining room pretty much the same size as last home. Updated picture June, 2021.
We moved to be closer to family and love our new home. As you can see, only three things changed with the decor and furniture of this home. The large mirror was given away and replaced with this pretty accent mirror we found for $199. The previous leather chairs were moved upstairs and the white tufted chair was brought down from the master bedroom. Mahogany coffee table was given away and replaced with a brass and glass table for $134. These few changes fit this home and my style perfectly.
I’ve loved the various styles we’ve had throughout the years and I have been grateful for each home. If you hunt for classic furniture, it will fit in any home and always create a space that you will love even if you are downsizing.
