Downsizing has taught me SO much. We went from 3200 square feet to 1100 square feet! That is a BIG difference. I still can’t believe ALL the crap I brought with us when we moved. It is embarrassing, for example- 4 sets of dishes, 10 plastic totes full of baby and girl clothes, 8 extra dining chairs that I didn’t have a spot for, a lot of seasonal crap, a giant turkey roaster (you know for that BIG thanksgiving I could host in our 10×10 kitchen) a crepe maker, ice-cream maker, a million blankets, sleeping bags for that one time we might actually go camping (never) and a bazillion canning jars….I think you get my point.
What I have learned from all that extra junk we moved 2,000 miles is..
If I don’t use it on a regular basis I do not need it!
If I happen to host thanksgiving I will figure out a different way, maybe the oven to cook my turkey? Or if we happen to go camping we could borrow stuff or take bedding from our bed. I have donated and sold a lot of it and still plan to do more and only keep things that I truly love.
As a rule when I buy something new I make myself turn around and donate a similar item.
New boots equal donating a pair of old boots.
Part of this reflection is thinking of a few pieces we have in our home that I am ready to part with. I have been ready for awhile but just have not found the right thing. Until now! I have been searching for pieces that are super functional and work well for tiny homes and small spaces….you know “downsizing”. So I wanted to share them as a favorite thing because there are!
- I get asked what we use for a desk, I either sit at my kitchen table to work or on my bed. We do have THIS small writing desk upstairs that the girls color and play on. Ok THIS tall dresser that doubles as a desk is my new favorite thing a game changer and from Target?! It comes in white and blue. I am thinking I will get it in the blue or white. Ahhhh hard to choose. But I want to order it this weekend so please tell me. It is going to replace this old dresser in our entry that the drawers stick when we open them….
One more piece I am going to part with is…that big white sideboard in our front room. I thought I would NEVER let this go! But I think something a little smaller would be better then I could fit two chairs. I have been searching for a piece with drawers, basically a dresser. I was thrilled when I came across these-
- #1- THIS one is the matching one to that tall dresser/secretary. I really don’t want to be matchy, but I liked them both so much. #2- THIS I like the long black hardware. #3- THIS one with the doors and drawers and I LOVE the legs. (picture of dresser in room from House Updated).
- I came across THIS home tour of an apartment in Brooklynn New York and every part of it just spoke to me. I love how they carefully selected a clock for their kitchen wall. Very thoughtful and smart about living in a downsized, smaller space.
- I am a big online shopper- like I just signed up to have my groceries delivered to me thru Pea Pod. So it makes total sense for me to order a few pieces that I couldn’t resist from Nordstrom, since their sale ends August 7th!! Hurry!
Nordstrom Key Wardrobe Pieces for Fall-
THESE Ankle Booties with the the cutest whip stitch detail, saved $50! I actually got rid of 3 pair of my tall boots I am all about the ankle boot.
THIS Bell Sleeve Sweater for fall. I am already thinking Christmas pictures because we get them taken early. I think I am going to wear this! I love the price, color and style. I sized up, I want it loose and long.
I typically buy one pair of jeans each year (I wear them over and over and over). I found THESE skinny jeans for a killer price. They will look perfect with the ankle boots and the gray bell sleeve sweater!
Nordstrom Sale for the HOME-
I am in the process of selecting a new runner for our stairs. THIS one is the one I was thinking! I was planning on navy but now I might do black. Also THIS rug is really similar to the one I have in our front room, looks a little softer.
THIS Shower Curtain is a classic white, yet couldn’t be any more unique. A white shower curtain is a must-have.
THIS Throw Pillow is my fall inspiration. If you are going to buy new pillows and do not own basic cream pillows then you need to get these!
I have been doing “Ask Nesting With Grace” on every email I send out when a blog post goes live to all of my subscribers (You can subscribe HERE). I got this email the other day and I wanted to share it here. This is from Erin (who I luckily got to meet in person at a friends house!)
Wishing you all a great weekend! And if you haven’t had a chance to ask me a design question send one to me HERE.
Another great post! Even down sizing a little can be hard, so down sizing a lot would certainly be challenging, especially when a family doesn’t get smaller! I think letting go of your beautiful side board is really a good idea but maybe, since it’s a a piece you love, you have a friend you could loan it to? I feel like a larger home is in your future and you may want it back someday. We buy furniture to fit our space and when we move, some items just don’t work.
I like the dressers you are considering. I’m not a designer so I think I would have to try the room first without any dresser to see how much space I have and how I like it. You may rethink what you want. Can you place the sofa on the wall with two chairs under the window and a dresser between them? Maybe you only need one piece and something else for your entry.
That is a good idea- I wish I had storage space for that big sideboard. We are considering moving sooner than later actually.
The previous home owners did have their sofa on the wall where I have the sideboard. I just know we need the storage. That big sideboard is full of the kids coloring stuff and craft projects. But I like what you are saying…gives me something to consider.
Love the look of the “new” pieces you are thinking about, and I totally get sticky drawers on old dresser, but aren’t you concerned about quality? The Target piece is made of Wood Composite – no match for the real thing. Given your overall love of quality pieces and workmanship I am wondering if you have thought about an old fashioned “secretary desk” piece that has a similar folding shelf for a desk that offers storage in drawers beneath and shelves above – typically with glass doors. I see these all the time at resale shops, my mother has one that she inherited from her mother, and I can just picture you refurbishing an old one to fit your style!!
You have a really good point. All of my pieces are high-quality because I used to work in a furniture store and got a great discount:)
I think I might try the Target pieces just because I can’t stand that dresser anymore and want something before school starts. I can always sell it if I find a great secretary desk. Good ideas!
I am considering downsizing to a much small space. I enjoy seeing how tiny spaces can work for families (and still look beautiful).
Where are the leaf bowls from in the first photo of this post? My Anthropologie bowls just do not hold up to the dishwasher.
They are called a lotus bowl, mine were given to me from my grandma. But I found some really similar here- http://rstyle.me/~8CnkR
I love the look of the Target pieces. I personally think the white would look best in your space. 🙂
You do a wonderful job of making small spaces beautiful and functional.
thanks Tracey! I appreciate that:)
I have yet to fully commit to the “bring a new item in, and something similar must go out.” It seems like such a leap!!! I know I have to begin doing that because I like to live in an uncluttered, pretty space. Space and having some free space can be calming to me, as i organization. Thanks for sharing your struggles and courage. I hope to emulate you some day.
Hi Brooke!
Thank you for responding to my question! While I really like the other options you posted, I’m thrilled to know your bed is still available! That’s definitely going to be my next big furniture purchase!! Thank you, Thank you, very excited! 🙂
I love the desk/dresser idea for your entry way, what a great idea for a smaller kids room too. (I’m currently trying to find a desk for my son’s small bedroom and this might be the perfect solution). I also don’t like furniture in rooms to be too matchy matchy so i’m gravitating towards number 3 for the sideboard!
Have a wonderful weekend and thank you for another great post!
Erin
yay! So excited for you Erin, that bed is for sure a favorite thing.
I think that dresser would be great in a kids room, that is why I am leaning towards getting white so I can move it around.
And thanks for your ideas on the sideboard! Have a good week and thanks for reading!
That dresser/secretary piece is $20 cheaper on Amazon! Same brand and everything.
I have an amazon app on my desktop that tells me if the same item is available through them. Sometimes it’s cheaper, other times it’s not. This time, it is!
The other dresser is cheaper, too. But sold by a different company (not amazon) and the savings is less than $10.
Happy shopping! 🙂
WHAT? I need to get that! What a smart app!! Unfortunately I already ordered it! But thanks for sharing!
What if you did the tall dresser next to the front door in blue and then got a new side bar in one of those other options shown in white?? Just a thought to break it up a little…
I do love that idea….just thinking if we move I could use the white in a lot of places…but I love the navy too! Thanks for your comment!
I love this post. When we bought our current home, we made a pretty lateral move space wise, but actually have one less room and no basement. Our old basement was filled with stuff we NEVER used. I brought a lof of it with us and then finally starting parting with it. I actually read an article from another small home blogger in BHG and she said she likes having a small house because she knows exactly where everything is. I thought that was a good way to look at it! It’s so easy to lose track of things when you have 10 different places to store stuff. I actually made an inventory list of necessities that I have tended to lose track of (where are the kitchen lightbulbs? Command hooks?) and hung it inside a few of our closet doors so I never have to guess again.
Have a great day! 🙂
that is so smart! I love everything you shared. Good things to implement!