Downsizing From a House to a Studio: What to Know

Downsizing from a house to a studio apartment often comes on the heels of a major life transition, like a career pivot, relationship change, or personal choice to simplify. While the idea of starting fresh in a smaller space can be liberating, it can also feel overwhelming: What do you keep? What do you let go? And how do you make one room feel like home? 

In this guide, we offer practical tips to help you navigate the emotional and logistical realities of moving to a studio apartment. We’ll give you our top downsizing tips on preparing for the transition, what to pack, how to plan your layout, and how space-smart furniture can help you create a comfortable, functional new chapter. 

Take the Time to Come to Terms with the Change

Downsizing can stir up a mix of emotions. Leaving behind a larger home often means parting with belongings that hold memories and shifting away from familiar routines. As you plan the move, it’s just as important to prepare emotionally as it is to pack your boxes. 

These emotional downsizing tips can help you navigate the feelings that may surface along the way:

• Acknowledge what you’re leaving behind. Grieving the space, routines, or memories connected to your previous home is okay. Recognizing those feelings is part of moving forward.
• Focus on what you’re gaining. A smaller space can bring more freedom, less clutter, and a chance to live more intentionally.
• Preserve memories without keeping everything. Before you part with meaningful items, take photos of them or create a digital scrapbook.
• Set boundaries and timelines. Give yourself a clear plan to avoid decision paralysis and allow time for reflection.
• Visualize your new space. Thinking about how you want your studio to feel and function can help guide what stays and what goes.

What to Keep When You’re Downsizing

Moving from a house to a studio means making tough decisions about what comes with you. Smaller spaces demand a more intentional approach to what you own. Here’s how to make those decisions with confidence:

1. Start with a Clear Inventory

Walk through your current space and list everything you own. As you go, note what you use daily, what you love, and what’s just taking up space. Seeing it all in one place, like an organized spreadsheet, can make the next step easier.

2. Sort Into Three Categories

Downsizing is a great opportunity to take full stock of your belongings and seriously consider what you actually need to bring to your new apartment. Separate items into three categories: 

• Must-haves: Everyday essentials and things you truly love
• Nice-to-haves: Sentimental or seasonal items you like but don’t need right away
• Let-go items: Duplicates, rarely used belongings, or anything that won’t fit comfortably in your new space

When it comes to large household items, like oversized appliances, be realistic about what your new space can accommodate. Downsizing your appliances can free up valuable space and simplify daily routines.

3. Ask the Right Questions

When you’re on the fence about an item, slow down and ask yourself:

Have I used this in the last year?

If the answer is no, it’s probably not essential. Daily-use items should earn a spot in your new space, while those collecting dust may be better off donated or sold.

Will it realistically fit or function in my new space?

Measure the size of your new apartment and compare it to the size of your current furniture and storage items. If something won’t fit comfortably or would crowd your space, it’s not the right fit for a studio.

Would I buy this again today?

This question is a gut-check for value and personal taste. If you wouldn’t spend money on it now, it’s likely not worth the effort to move and make space for it.

These questions help you shift your mindset from “What am I losing?” to “What deserves a place in my new life?” They can serve as a decision-making filter that brings clarity, especially when you’re feeling sentimental or overwhelmed.

4. Enlist an Honest Friend

Sometimes it helps to have a second opinion. Invite over a friend or family member to be “the bad guy” and help you decide what you should let go of. Having to justify how an item will fit into your new home can give you clearer insight into what should be sold or given away. Focusing on the most practical and irreplaceable items will help keep your new space from feeling even smaller.

5. Digitize the Sentimental

Be prepared to let go of some sentimental items. Downsizing can be emotional, and it’s natural to feel attached to certain possessions. However, it’s important to remember that memories themselves are not tied to physical objects. Take photos of keepsakes and create a digital memory book, so you can hold onto the emotional value without the physical clutter.

How to Get Creative with Storage

In a studio apartment, every square inch counts, and smart, space-saving storage is key. Here are a few strategies to help you make the most of your new layout: 

Rethink Your Available Space

If you’re used to spreading out in a home with a garage, laundry room, or multiple closets, adjusting to a studio layout takes a shift in mindset. With fewer built-in storage areas, you’ll need to prioritize what stays and find efficient ways to organize. That may mean using your closet for both clothes and cleaning supplies or finding smart ways to make a compact kitchen work harder, like maximizing vertical space and built-in storage.

Use Your Walls and Ceilings

Think vertically to free up floor space:

• Install wall-mounted shelves to store books, décor, or pantry overflow.
• Mount your TV to the wall and use a cord concealer for a clean look.
• Hang bicycles or seasonal gear from sturdy ceiling hooks.

Maximize Hidden Storage

Look for storage opportunities in unexpected places:

• Use under-bed bins or opt for a bed frame with built-in drawers.
• Add hanging organizers inside closets and cabinets for extra shelf space.
• Choose boxes or baskets to corral smaller items neatly.

Consider a Short-Term Storage Unit

A storage unit might be a helpful bridge solution if your downsizing is temporary or you’re not ready to part with large items like workout equipment. Just remember that a storage unit is not always worth the monthly cost. 

Compare the value of what you’re storing to the rental fee. If an item is cheaper to replace later, donating or selling it may be the smarter move.

Best Multifunctional Furniture for Small Spaces

While your studio may not have a Murphy bed like in the movies, flexible furniture is still the best choice for a studio apartment. These space-saving solutions are designed to serve multiple purposes, helping you get the most out of every square foot without crowding your home or breaking your budget.

Look for furniture that offers built-in storage, converts for different uses, or helps divide your space. Here are some top picks:

Smart Sleep Solutions

• Storage beds with built-in drawers or shelving beneath the mattress can eliminate the need for a bulky dresser.
• Sofa beds or futons double as seating during the day and transform into a bed for overnight guests.

Dual-Purpose Surfaces

• Coffee tables with drawers or lift-top designs offer hidden storage and can function as a casual work or dining space.
• Small or expandable dining tables with fold-out leaves adjust to fit solo meals or small gatherings.
• Nesting tables can be pulled out when needed and tucked away when not in use.

Compact Storage Heroes

• Storage ottomans or benches can hide away books, linens, or pet toys while serving as seating or footrests.
• Bookshelves with cubbies or baskets double as visual room dividers while keeping your essentials organized.

Work-From-Home Friendly

• Compact desks that fold down from the wall or convert from console tables make working from home easier in tight quarters.
• Kitchen or bar-height tables can also serve as desk space during the day and dining space at night.

When selecting pieces, think beyond traditional furniture roles. The more your furniture can adapt to your lifestyle — whether that means hiding clutter, offering additional seating, or transforming for multiple uses — the more comfortable and functional your studio will feel. Prioritize quality, versatile pieces that help you stay organized without overwhelming your space.

Smart Studio Layout Tips

In a studio, one room has to do the job of many, meaning your layout plays a big role in how your space feels. With a few intentional design moves, you can clearly define your sleeping, living, and working areas without adding walls or clutter. Try these layout tips:

• Use area rugs to define zones. A rug under your bed, sofa, or desk can visually separate each area while adding texture and warmth.
• Place furniture to create boundaries. Position a sofa with its back facing the bed or angle a bookcase to subtly divide your sleep and lounge spaces.
• Float your furniture. Don’t feel pressured to push everything against the walls. Floating pieces like your desk or bed can help establish purposeful zones.
• Use lighting to shape your layout. Task lighting over your desk, ambient lighting by your bed, and a floor lamp by the sofa can signal distinct functions for each space.
• Pick lightweight, movable pieces. Furniture on wheels or that folds away can easily shift as your daily routine changes.

A well-thought-out layout makes even the smallest space feel organized and intentional, allowing you to seamlessly live, work, and relax all in one room.

CORT Furniture Outlet Makes Downsizing Easy (And Affordable!)

Smaller space, smarter choices. Whether you’re moving solo or just simplifying, CORT Furniture Outlet helps you make the most of your square footage. Our wide selection of furniture includes flexible, stylish designs that work hard in every corner of your home.

Start browsing affordable small-space furniture online, or visit your local CORT Furniture Outlet to outfit your studio without sacrifice.