Moving house is not for the faint-hearted, and when it comes to downsizing, the process can be even more daunting. Discover how to reduce your space without compromising on style with Holloways Interior Designer Annie Blackledge.
"It's rare that anyone really enjoys moving house," says Annie. "It's often stressful, disruptive, expensive and exhausting. And no matter how excited you are about your new home, it's not a process that always exudes joy. But you can take a lot of the stress out of moving by being organised. And this is especially important if you're downsizing to a smaller home."
In 2022, almost a quarter of UK homeowners downsized. And while this year, there's much talk of baby boomers keeping their family homes, leaving spare bedrooms unoccupied, the lure of a smaller, more manageable property is still an attractive prospect for many households heading for early retirement.
"Just because you're moving to a smaller home doesn't mean you have to give up on your personal style or cherished pieces you've lovingly collected over the years," says Annie. "There are plenty of options for furniture and accessories which work perfectly in smaller spaces and with changed room layouts without compromising the interior look you love."
Make a floorplan
Annie advises making a clear floor plan of your new home well before moving day.
"Knowing what space you have, what the layout of your rooms are, and how wide or narrow your entrance ways are will save costly decisions later on," says Annie. "There's nothing more frustrating than moving a piece of furniture to your new home and then finding you can't get it through the door. An accurate floor plan will help you make clear decisions about what to keep and what to get rid of, and is the starting point for a balanced interior scheme."
Try: Book a consultation with the Holloways interior design team to help you maximise the use of space in your new rooms. Call 01886 884665 to book your initial design appointment.
Be intentional
Downsizing gives you the chance to be truly intentional with your possessions. It's a chance to ruthlessly declutter, prioritise quality over quantity, and really think about the furniture, accessories and artwork which bring you joy.
"Making difficult decisions about what to keep and what to dispose of gives you the chance to create your new interior in a more intentional and stylish way," says Annie. "There's nothing to say that heirloom antique dark wood sideboard won't sit alongside the contemporary new sofa you've chosen, or that you can't hang that ornate mirror in your new bathroom. Mixing different periods makes a home feel more comfortable with a real sense of place. The more layers you have, the more interesting your interior will be, and the more it'll reflect your personality and your life."
Try: Ask the Holloways design team to help you incorporate cherished pieces and choose new furniture and accessories for your new interior. Call 01886 884665 to book your initial consultation.
Discover: Need to declutter but don't know where to start? Head to our Journal for inspiration.
Choose hard-working furniture
"Multi-purpose furniture is perfect for smaller spaces," says Annie. "A compact corner sofa with a flexible chaise, a practical piece of cabinetry that works as a home office or a useful pantry, an entertainment station that keeps clutter at bay – all of these things will help create a feeling of space in a small area."
Not every room has to stick to one function. A home office can become a guest bedroom with a comfortable sofa bed. An alcove filled with bookshelves in the corner of a sitting room can double up as a study. An ottoman or linen chest can become a coffee table or extra seating when you have a house full.
"Focus on some key pieces that work hard," says Annie. "Thinking ahead to create multi-purpose spaces means you'll have a flexible home which will adapt to meet your needs, no matter how small."
We love: Chichester workstations, which open to create a spacious home office, or the Ardingly cabinet – at once a drinks cabinet, home office, bathroom cupboard, coffee station or kitchen larder
Embrace colour
There's a tendency to shy away from colour in smaller spaces, says Annie. But there's much to like about bright, bold, mood-shifting shades.
"It's all about understanding how to use colour in smaller rooms," says Annie. "Choose colours that will lift your mood, introduce energy or evoke a certain feeling. Using bold colours in compact spaces focuses the mind and tightens the space, and brings together all the other rooms in your home into one coherent scheme."
In the Holloways Interior Design Studio you'll find a huge collection of Edward Bulmer paint, plus all the new-season emulsion and eggshell colours by Neptune.
"Painting ceilings and cabinetry in the same colours increases the illusion of height and space in smaller rooms," says Annie. "Inky blues, verdant greens and rich pinky-reds are great in small spaces."
We love: The Oscar collection of sofas, armchairs and chaise sofas in bold velvets and tweeds
Discover: How to use colour to make small rooms look bigger in our Journal.
Create space and calm with neutrals
While bold colours work well in small rooms, there's still a place for calming neutrals and earth tones.
"Balancing bold colours with carefully-chosen whites and neutrals will ensure your home feels homely and connected, and is a perfect foil for busy areas," says Annie. "In small rooms, it's important to create a sense of openness and light to stop the space feeling claustrophobic and cluttered.
"Opting for light-coloured wood floors and furniture and pale or neutral fabrics for soft furnishings will reflect natural light in the room and make it feel more restful and spacious."
Try: The Copenhagen collection of sofas and armchairs, and complementary Lucca storage footstools
Discover: Designers' favourite decorating trends for 2024 in our Journal.
Lean into the size of your space
Shoehorning big furniture into small rooms just makes them feel cluttered and unwelcoming. By being methodical in your decluttering and thinking in spaces rather than rooms, you'll be able to make better use of every square foot and create a hardworking, creative, homely space.
"Furniture with a more compact footprint and slender legs will help create a feeling of calmness and space," says Annie. "So don't be tempted to try to squeeze large sofas or dining tables in just because they physically fit."
In compact boot rooms and narrow hallways, choose a storage bench or a console table with useful baskets underneath. Turning these transient spaces into proper rooms increases your square footage of living space. And hiding unnecessary clutter instantly gives a feeling of order and space.
In a small dining area, opt for a round or oval extending dining table which can be opened up to accommodate extra guests. And think about flexible seating – folding dining chairs that tuck away for storage, for example. Or go for dining benches, where everyone can squish up.
Try: Oslo extending dining table
Interior Design by Holloways
For more than 35 years, the interior design team at Holloways has been helping clients across the UK create homes they love.
Upstairs in the Interior Design Studio, discover a vast collection of wallpapers, paint and fabrics from all the major design houses. Our curtains and blinds specialists are on hand to advise on beautiful, bespoke window treatments for every room in your home.
And in our Lighting Studio, discover lamps and lighting, including the range of Neptune lighting. Our Rug Room is home to made-to-measure rugs and runners, sisal flooring, British-made wool carpets and recycled and handwoven rugs.
The Holloways interior design service is FREE. Book your consultation with our experienced, approachable team on 01886 884665.
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