It may be time to refresh your space, or perhaps you’re downsizing and you’re not sure how you’re going to arrange the furniture you love in your new space. Let’s face it – you probably want to use more than you need so before you start moving furniture or packing your belongings, here are some helpful tips for planning your new living space.
1. Measure all of your furniture, including buffets, grandfather clocks, hutches and bookcases.
2. Make a list of your most preferred pieces and highlight the ones you feel you absolutely can’t live without.
3. Start planning what furniture pieces you would like in each room by duplicating in a much smaller scale what you currently have. This will help you to see what pieces you can bring and those that may not fit. Upon gaining access to your new home (condo, retirement suite, apartment, bungalow), identify which pieces of furniture you would like in each room or in the new space.
4. Then take out the painter’s tape and start laying down the floor plan, in real-time and in 3D, in your new home. Take the measuring tape and start laying out the furniture using the painter’s tape to mark where you would like each piece to lay. You may find that some pieces will not fit, or they do not allow enough room to walk around, with or without a walker, or that the room is just too full of furniture. Make this a wake-up call that you cannot take it all with you.
5. Be sure to note where electrical outlets are, where the cable inlet is located and where the telephone jacks are placed. This will help you to determine how to arrange the furniture in each room. Don’t get caught thinking you’ll place the bed in one area and not be able to plug the television into an electrical outlet or the cable inlet.
6. Leave plenty of space to move freely with or without a walker (whether you use one now or not) and be conscious of tripping hazards – bedskirts, area rugs, computer chairs, etc. You will want the areas where furniture is placed to be free of any potential dangers, including tripping hazards.
7. Keep the space uncluttered. We know it’s difficult to downsize and not take everything with you. However, we also know that moving into a smaller space and cramming too much in is unhealthy, adds stress and really doesn’t help you gain the lifestyle you wanted to achieve by moving. Be cognizant that you don’t need it all. You just need what you really need and you can let go of the rest. You will be far happier and so will others because you will have donated or gifted what you no longer need.
By following these simple steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a space that you love. If you require assistance with this step of your transition, our team of trained professionals would be happy to answer your questions or assist you with this very important step. Call us at 613-841-0220 or email us and we’ll be happy to help…because moving forward matters!