When it’s time to downsize your living situation, it can be a daunting process. What furniture do you keep? How do you know what will fit? Should you just start over from scratch?

There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to downsizing, but I have found that there are definitely a few things you can do to help you decide what to keep, what to leave behind, and what you really need to buy for your new space.

I recently helped a wonderful client with her move from a large family home to a much smaller condo space. Our goal was to create a calm, welcoming retreat that truly reflected her personal style. Here’s how we did it!

1 Plan ahead

My client reached out to me before her move, so we had time to plan ahead. During our first consultation, we discussed how she wanted the space to look and function so that I could make sure that I incorporated this in the design plan.

Once I had a feel for her vision, I was inspired by my client’s lovely collection of blue and white pottery to create the cozy, Parisian-inspired getaway of her dreams.

2 Keep the things you love

Furniture that fits perfectly in a large family home doesn’t always work in a smaller space. Not only that, downsizing is the perfect opportunity to move on from items you’ve never really loved. Make a list of all your furniture and accessories to help you choose the pieces that you’d like to bring to your new home.

Other than the art and pottery that inspired the colour palette, the only pieces my client brought along were her nightstands and dresser. The rich wood finish and traditional style of these pieces worked seamlessly in the bedroom with the new upholstered headboard and soft floral bedding in creams and blues.

3 Lighten up

In a small space, the colour palette can have a major impact on the overall feel. Light neutrals are a classic choice to keep things feeling spacious.

To keep this small condo light and airy, I used white and cream liberally on the walls and large items like the sofa to anchor the living space. This provided the perfect backdrop for pops of rich blue in the area rug, throw pillows, and custom draperies. I chose the furniture and accessories from our extensive LIVV Home Collection, which offers a wide range of options for furniture and accessories from trusted suppliers.

Here’s what my client had to say about her experience:

Natalie was instrumental in making the design process easier for me by ensuring the selection of colours, drapery, furniture and lighting worked well together and reflected my personal style. Her passion for her work was evident throughout. She provided excellent service and follow-up and it has been my pleasure to work with her. I would highly recommend her interior decorating services.

Cathy Austin, Ottawa