Room Concepts

Downsizing tips are essential for anyone looking to reduce their living space without sacrificing the things that matter most. In this blog, we’ll share practical advice so you can move into your patio home or smaller space with confidence and ease. Let’s dive into these downsizing tips and set you up for success in your new home.

What is a Patio Home?

A patio home, also sometimes referred to as a garden home, is a one-story (sometimes a story and a half) home that shares a wall with a neighbor or is situated very close to neighboring patio homes. You might be thinking, “This sounds an awful lot like a townhouse or condo.” You wouldn’t be wrong, but there are some stark differences between patio homes and townhouses and condos.

The major difference between a patio home and a townhouse or condo is that a patio home is often one floor, never exceeding one and a half stories. Townhomes and condos are frequently two stories high. Additionally, with a condo, you own everything inside of it, but your yard or greenery areas are often spaces available to everyone in the community. In comparison, a patio home sits on a small lot that includes grass, a driveway, and maybe a fence or yes, even a patio, and it’s all owned by you.

Even though this style of house is becoming more popular with people who want to downsize to a smaller living space, and even first-time home owners, there are still some patio home pros and cons to consider first.

Patio Home Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Lower Costs

While not always the case, patio homes are typically less expensive than traditional homes because of their size. 

2. More Socializing

Due to the close proximity of neighbors, there are naturally more opportunities for socializing when living in patio homes. 

3. Minimal Maintenance

Patio homes often need less maintenance than traditional homes for a number of reasons. They are typically newer models, so they are less likely to need repairs. They’re also smaller, both in the size of the home and the size of the yard, meaning less work to maintain or repair.

Cons

1. Possible HOA Rules and Fees

Many patio home communities have a homeowner’s association (HOA). Being part of an HOA typically involves fees and adhering to rules and regulations.

2. Privacy Issues

People who do not enjoy living close to neighbors may not be the right fit for patio homes since patio homes are in such close proximity to one another.

3. Limited Space

Patio homes are intentionally small and affordable, so people who want a larger living space or yard may not enjoy the main benefits of a patio home.

5 Downsizing Tips Before Your Move

Moving to a smaller space like a patio home doesn’t mean you have to part with everything you love, but it does require careful planning and consideration. These downsizing tips will help you make thoughtful decisions and keep the transition stress-free!

1. Start Early

One of the most important downsizing tips to remember is to give yourself more time to sort through your belongings than you think you need. Downsizing can be stressful, and allowing yourself time to not only go through your home, but also to process cleaning out some of the deeper areas of your home, can ease that stress.

2. Plan to Get Emotional

Moving can be emotional enough on its own, even without needing to downsize. But when downsizing, you’re sorting through sentimental items and deciding whether or not you want to part with them. This is especially true for empty nesters as they are processing many emotions already as their children begin another chapter of their lives.

3. Take Inventory

The next step in downsizing is to start by taking inventory. What are things you have to have in your new home? Are there items you have excess duplicates of (like kitchen utensils)? What are items you hope you can take but aren’t a necessity if they can’t fit?

4. Sort and Declutter

The next downsizing tip is to sort and declutter as you go. Sort items you’re keeping, putting in storage, and getting rid of. Sorting and decluttering by room, instead of sorting and decluttering in multiple rooms at one time, can help you stay organized as you downsize.

It may also be beneficial to sort paper clutter into its own box so that you can sort through it at another time. This allows you to scan or file items you want to keep and recycle or shred the rest as you go.

5. Donate or Discard Items

If you’re not sure what to do with your furniture, or any other items you plan to discard when downsizing, you may end up prolonging the downsizing process for yourself. So it’s best to come up with a plan of how to discard items before you’re deep into the sorting process. There are many ways you can discard items without throwing them away. Items can be donated or passed on to loved ones or you can sell items through a yard sale or auction. In the next section of this blog, we will provide some resources to help you figure out what to do with items you no longer want or need.

As you’re downsizing, remember that the goal isn’t to part with everything, but to make thoughtful choices about what will fit and bring value to your new space. With these tips, you’ll not only make the transition smoother, but you’ll also create a fresh start that reflects your current lifestyle.

How to Get Rid of Items (5 Ways)

If you’ve reached the “donate and discard” phase of your downsizing journey, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all the items you no longer want or need. Some items you plan to throw away, but you may not have a big enough dumpster to hold them, or you are unsure of how to dispose of them in a way that is eco-conscious. Other items may still hold some inherent value, and you’d like to see someone else find a use for them. Should you drop them off at the thrift store, or are there people you could directly help with your old belongings? Here are 5 practical and efficient ways to get rid of your unwanted items, including junk and non-junk. 

1. Have a yard sale

Hosting a yard sale for your neighborhood or community is a great first step to get rid of some things, especially if you still have some time left before your move. You may also want to see if family or friends want any items that may have some sentimental or heirloom value. 

2. Donate to a local thrift store or charity

After hosting your yard sale or giving items away to family or friends, an easy next step for remaining items that still have value is to donate them. Clothing, books/media, and miscellaneous household items are great items to drop off at the thrift store. Although this may surprise you, younger generations are showing renewed interest in items like vintage clothing and physical media, so don’t assume items like these are without value.

If you are seeking to give your belongings to a charity or non-profit with a more specific mission, check out our list below: 

Pittsburgh charities that take donated items:

• Vietnam Veterans of America takes all kinds of clothing and home goods by pickup or drop-off, to assist with varieties of services that benefit veterans. VVA is a national organization, so enter your zip code on their website for more specific local information. 
• St. Vincent de Paul takes furniture, clothing, goods, and vehicles to provide for those in need. They have designated drop-off locations for smaller items and can schedule a pickup for furniture or vehicles. 
• The Blessing Board in West Mifflin, PA takes donated furniture, home goods, and appliances to help those in need. They also have options for both pickup and drop-off. 

3. Look for auction houses or estate buyers

For assets or belongings with higher value, like works of art, collectibles, memorabilia, or antiques, you may be able to profit from the right sale. Auction houses and estate buyers act as “middlemen” to help you sell more highly valued items to the right audience. Although these entities will usually take a cut of the proceeds, selling high-value items in this way may still net you a positive return if it helps get your item into the hands of collectors who will pay top dollar. 

Alternatively, if you or someone you know is savvy with regard to selling online, you may choose to sell your rare assets yourself and retain all profits. Just make sure you get the items properly appraised first so you don’t sell them for less than they are worth!  

4. Rent a dumpster

While some valuables and collectibles may actually earn you some extra cash for getting rid of them, plenty of other items may have no value at all to anyone. In these cases, a dumpster rental may be your easiest option for a massive junk purge. Dumpster rentals like Budget Dumpster are available in the Pittsburgh area to drop off a dumpster and pick it up again after you’ve filled it up. You’ll never have to see any of that junk ever again!  

5. Find a junk dealer near Pittsburgh, PA

While some junk removal services solely dispose of your items, other junk dealers will sort out items that still have value and sell or donate them. Every business is different, so contact your junk dealer to find out more about how they handle and dispose of junk. 

Pittsburgh junk removal services:

• Three Rivers Junk Removal: Based in Natrona Heights, this junk hauler services the Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania areas and helps with a wide range of cleanouts, as well as disposal of tricky or large items like appliances, hot tubs, and sheds. 
• Pittsburgh Junk Remove: Based in McCandless, this junk and trash hauler provides cleanouts and hauling services to the Pittsburgh North Hills and Allegheny County areas. 
• Other national junk removal services with locations near Pittsburgh and Wexford include Junkluggers, 1800-got-junk, G.I.Haul, and College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving. 

There are many possibilities for what can be done with your junk besides just the trash and the thrift store. There are even ways that getting rid of items you no longer need can benefit others, which should encourage you as you navigate the often-stressful process of downsizing and moving into a new home. 

How to Make Your Patio Home Feel Like Your Forever Home

One of the best ways to make your patio home feel like your forever home is to browse patio home decorating ideas and make them your own. If you’re focusing on decorating specific rooms, search for those rooms (for example, living room decorating ideas) to start getting ideas. To get you started, we’ve curated a list of patio home and condo decorating ideas that can be used in any room.

1. Make Personal Upgrades

Many patio homes are considered new construction homes, but you can add your own style by making personal upgrades to your home’s finishes. Some examples of finishes you can choose to upgrade are lighting fixtures or cabinet and door hardware. One way to create a cohesive look is to choose furniture, like custom dining room furniture where you can choose from multiple finishes, that can be customized to create a cohesive look throughout your home.

2. Accessorize

Figuring out how to furnish a small living room (or any small space) is all about how you style it with accessories. By incorporating your style with accessories, you’re also able to easily change out pieces that no longer match your style. Accessories include rugs, blankets, pillows, knick knacks, mirrors, and vases. 

3. Choose the Right Furniture

Whether you’re looking for living room storage ideas or other ways to maximize your downsized space, choosing the right furniture is key. Custom entertainment centers and custom living room furniture not only make the space reflect your personal style, they also can add extra storage space.

4. Add Over Time

You don’t have to completely decorate your patio home as soon as you move in. As you become more comfortable in your space, you’ll begin to take stock of what’s missing in your home and learn what will best fit your space. 

Shop Furniture for Your Patio Home at Room Concepts

Whether you’re looking for customizable and configurable furniture or finished pieces, Room Concepts is here to help you choose furniture that fits your style and space. Our wide range of high-quality, stylish furniture options are designed to make the most of smaller living spaces while reflecting your personal taste. Explore our collections today, and let us guide you in creating the perfect home, no matter the size.

Once you’ve downsized and decided what to keep, the final downsizing tip is to find the perfect furniture to make your new space feel like home. Get in touch with our team today or stop into one of our showroom locations in Pittsburgh, PA (South Hills) or Wexford, PA (North Hills) to explore our customizable furniture or to talk to our furniture experts about choosing the best furniture to add value and comfort to your home.