4 min readWhether the children have flown the nest or you're swapping a sprawling countryside home for a city base, there are plenty of reasons to downsize—and it’s a transition many of us make at some stage. The challenge, of course, is knowing where to begin. To help, we’ve identified seven items that deserve a firm place at the top of your “toss” list.
When you really take stock of your home and everything in it, a few patterns tend to emerge—pieces that don’t get used often, items that take up more space than they’re worth, or decor that no longer feels quite right. Put simply, downsizing is an opportunity to reassess what earns its place, and what’s better left behind.
“The key with any downsize is not just reducing what you have, but making things fit well in the new space,” says Sian Pelleschi, president of the Association of Professional Declutterers & Organizers. “It’s about making sure that what you choose to bring with you is suited to how you want to live and what you need in your life, which will be very different to the needs and wants when arriving in the place you are choosing to move from.”
Below, we’ve rounded up the items to part with first when downsizing. From bulky furniture that isn’t earning its keep to long-forgotten sentimental pieces tucked away in the cellar, these are the things to clear out sooner rather than later.
Big, Bulky Furniture
First, take a close look at all the oversized pieces of furniture in your home.
“Chunky sofas and wardrobes and heavy dark wood furniture are often the easiest items to let go of that demand not only space physically but also visually,” says Pelleschi. “Equally, having a table for eight when there’s only two of you using it makes little sense. Look at reducing what you have both in size and number.”
Duplicate Items
The same principle goes for everything you own multiple versions of. When you move to a smaller space, less is more. “Duplicate items like extra chairs or buy-in-bulk items can cause a home to feel like a shop. Downsizing is a chance to streamline to what you genuinely use and love,” says professional organizer Nicola Lewis. “Remember: it’s only a bargain if you have space for it.”
Bulky Guest Beds You Rarely Use
Hosting is one of life's simple pleasures, but unless you're running a hotel, you don't have guests staying every day, which means a permanent bed can dominate a room that sits unused most of the time. Instead, Pelleschi advises opting for flexible alternatives that allow the space to work harder day-to-day.
“Perhaps a sofa bed or fold-away option would be better, giving you more space in the room but also allowing for that double use of having a desk space in there,” she says.
Sentimental Relics
As difficult as it can be, downsizing after children have moved out often means rethinking how their rooms are used, and, inevitably, what stays and what goes. A practical starting point is to sort through what’s left behind, from childhood artwork to trophies, medals, and other keepsakes, deciding what to keep, pass on, or donate—ideally with your child’s input.
Pelleschi offers additional advice: “Sentimental items can often be the source of anxiety when it comes to downsizing. Stockpile those items and decide what value they truly have in your life. Do they provide a happy memory? Do you have them on display to see, or are they tucked away and often don’t see the light of day? If that's the case, take a photo and let them go.”
Kitchen Utensils and Appliances
Nowhere in the house do tools, utensils, and gadgets pile up quite as quickly (and quietly) as in the kitchen. “Appliances are often overlooked when it comes to downsizing,” says Pelleschi. “Taking away any duplicate gadgets or ones that all do similar jobs and just choosing one or two versatile appliances frees up space both in cupboards and on worktops.”
Single-Purpose Furniture
Looking to reduce drastically? Decide if you can swap out some single-purpose furniture for multi-use designs. “In a smaller home, everything needs to earn its place,” says Nicola. “Multifunctional pieces like storage footstools or beds with drawers or storage make a huge difference in keeping things both practical and calm.”
Anything Low-Quality
Christopher Boutlier of his eponymous design studio notes that throughout life it’s common to make compromises when it comes to interiors—whether that’s choosing a cheaper sofa to withstand spills, opting for a baby-safe coffee table without sharp edges, or living with practical but less-than-beautiful stain-resistant rugs.
Downsizing offers a chance to reset. In a smaller space, every item has to earn its place—so it’s an opportunity to part with pieces you’ve never really loved and invest in those you truly do, whether that’s a beautifully made coffee table, a luxurious cashmere throw, or a statement piece of art.
“You’ve done the practical thing,” he says. “You’ve made it work for everyone else. Now, it’s your time. This phase of life is about choosing pieces that feel good, not just hold up well.”
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