5 Signs It’s Time to Downsize
If any of these sound familiar, it might be time for a change.
As our lives change and adapt, what we need in a home does too! In a year that carried significant change for many people, it’s natural that many families are taking a closer look at their homes and wondering: is this really what I want?
These are a few signs that it might be time to move on from your current home in favor of something smaller.
Unused Rooms
Are there rooms in your home that sit empty? From spare bedrooms that go unused to craft spaces or workout areas that just don’t see any traffic, it’s common to assign a use for each part of a home when you move in and later realize that it doesn’t actually fit in your day-to-day needs.
In recent years, styles of hosting have shifted dramatically and it’s much less common to sit in a formal dining room nowadays — yet, many existing homes have dining rooms, and in some layouts it’s difficult to imagine what else to use the space for. Overall, if exploring your home leads you to spaces that you hardly ever set foot in (except to clean), it might be time to downsize.
Budget Constraints
Cleaning, heating and cooling extra spaces can be costly. Plus, many people spend hundreds keeping furniture and design updated in rooms that hardly even see any people. If your home is costing you more than you can afford, downsizing can be a huge help.
Environmental Concerns
Aside from being costly, energy consumption in a large home can also take a toll on the environment. Especially with dated appliances and insulation, heating and cooling become inefficient and do real damage to the environment over time. For many people, staying in a home that’s too large and doesn’t pose sufficient opportunities to live sustainably is a huge driver for downsizing.
Family Shifts
One of the most common signs that it’s time to downsize is a change in your family dynamic. These changes come in many forms, from children moving out of the house to go on to college, to deciding not to have children, to a live-in parent passing away, to separations. No matter the reason behind the shift, a new home can help to process the change and often a smaller home is better-equipped to meet your needs.
Lifestyle Changes
Over the past year, the vast majority of Americans have made large shifts in their lifestyles and priorities. For some, work situations have changed — countless professionals are transferring jobs, moving to remote positions, or starting a journey to self-employment. For others, time in lockdown acted as a reminder of what’s truly important, whether that be time outdoors, proximity to family, or hosting friends.
Across the board, people have taken stock of their priorities and needs. The transition to more remote work has led to an exodus from expensive coastal cities, and many families are opting for a lower cost of living and better quality of life in places like Raleigh and Charlotte. Many have come to feel cramped on a small lot, and are looking to trade a large house with little land to a downsized home with more outdoor space.
Choosing to downsize can work wonders for your wallet, your psyche, and your free time. The best way to find a home that aligns with your lifestyle and meets your needs is to build it yourself! Custom building isn’t the sticky and time-consuming process that it used to be. Now, you can work with Atmos to design and build a dream home that truly meets your needs. Trade your extra space for a custom home built just for you — a perfect fit.
Ready to start your home building journey? Get in touch with Atmos today!
