When people downsize, it’s often with the aim of making life simpler: fewer rooms to look after, less space to maintain and, ideally, fewer possessions to manage. Moving home, however, rarely comes without its challenges and if you’re downsizing for the first time, it’s easy to make mistakes that add create unnecessary stress.
Whether it’s bringing too many items with you or not getting the right measurements ahead of time, these common errors can end up costing you time and money.
‘Downsizing can feel emotionally and logistically daunting,’ says Phil Spencer, TV property expert and founder of the property advice website Move iQ. ‘Many people become deeply attached to their family home, which may be full of memories that are difficult to let go of. There’s also the fear of being overwhelmed by the process, particularly for those who haven’t moved home in decades.’
To help make the process more manageable, we asked the experts about the biggest mistakes people make when downsizing – and how to avoid them.
The biggest mistakes people make when downsizing
1. Taking too much with you
'The number one mistake I see people make when moving to a smaller property? Trying to take the old home with them,' says Lisa Hensby, founder and creative director of Lisa Hensby Design & Build Studio.
'I understand the instinct. Those pieces carry memories and letting go feels like loss. But a smaller space cannot do its job if it's working against furniture that was never meant to be there.'
To avoid this, be realistic about what will and won't work in your new home. Rather than simply moving everything from one property to another, consider what you'll actually need before the process begins.
2. Excessive decluttering
While taking too much furniture has its drawbacks, giving away too much before you’ve moved in can be equally problematic. 'There's a common belief that small spaces need to be minimal. They don't. They need to be intentional. There's a real difference between the two,' Lisa says.
'A smaller home still deserves warmth, texture and personality. When people remove all the layers to create space, they often end up somewhere that feels cold,' she says.
Hold on to the belongings that make your home feel like yours. Get rid of them too hastily and you may regret it later.
3. Not measuring properly
Want to reduce the stress of moving? Measure, measure, measure.
'This sounds obvious but it is one of the most common practical mistakes,' says Katie Cromwell, founder and director of No. 86 Estate Agency. 'People fall in love with a smaller property and convince themselves their existing furniture will fit. It frequently does not. Before committing, measure every room in the new property and cross-reference against your existing furniture.'
The key, Katie says, is being honest with yourself about what's realistic.
4. Not factoring in those extra costs
One of the main reasons people downsize is to reduce their outgoings. A smaller home costs less to run and maintain, but Phil warns that many buyers underestimate the expenses associated with moving.
The average cost of moving house in the UK is between £13,000 and £18,000, which includes things like stamp duty, conveyancing, legal fees and insurance.
'Moving to a smaller property can involve significant costs, which many people underestimate. Stamp duty is a key expense to factor in, particularly if the purchase will be a second home. Additionally, there are legal fees, removal costs and potential renovations or upgrades to the new property,' he says.
Before you begin your move, make sure you've factored these into your budget. Phil has compiled a handy checklist of moving costs on Move iQ.
5. Underestimating the significance of your decision
Beyond the practicalities, downsizing can be a major emotional undertaking – something people often overlook, according to Dr Lisa Marsland-Hall, founder of Interior Psychologist.
'People drastically underestimate the cognitive load of the process. Decision fatigue sets in fast when you're forced to assign meaning or monetary value to hundreds of objects in quick succession, which is why so many people give up halfway and simply move everything anyway,' she explains.
'The people who downsize most successfully treat it less like a decluttering exercise and more like a conscious edit of who they are now and who they want to be next,' Lisa says.
Downsizing is about more than moving to a smaller property; it’s an opportunity to build a new life in a new home. Give yourself time – and plenty of grace – throughout the process.
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