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5 Downsizing Tips for Small Apartment Life

As urban areas become more crowded and expensive, small apartments are becoming an increasingly popular choice for many. If you’re considering moving to a smaller space, these five downsizing tips will help you make the most of your new home.

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One bedroom apartment floor plan.
Carolyn White
By Carolyn White
Published January 03, 2022 Updated September 09, 2026

Key Takeaways:

  1. Declutter Your Kitchen: Simplify your kitchen by donating or selling unused utensils and dishes to maximize space.
  2. Clean Out Your Closet: Evaluate your wardrobe for duplicates and unworn items; keep only what you truly need and love.
  3. Go Digital: Transition your media collections to digital formats to save space and ease your move.
  4. Use Simple Color Schemes: Opt for a cohesive color palette to create an open and airy feel.
  5. Focus on Spacing and Design: Measure your new apartment and plan furniture layouts using tools like RoomSketcher to optimize your space effectively.

Transitioning from a spacious home to a smaller apartment can feel daunting, especially when you’re surrounded by all your cherished belongings.

We’ve all heard friends lament, “How on earth am I supposed to fit all my stuff into this tiny apartment?” But don’t worry—downsizing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your favorite things!

Let’s explore five practical tips that will make the downsizing more manageable.

In this article:

1. Declutter Your Kitchen

When you downsize, your kitchen will ultimately be much smaller than what you’re used to. Your new place might have a mini-kitchen, so in order to stay organized while making proper use of the space, you need to declutter.

Get rid of the 27 serving utensils you have that you haven’t used for a year.

Do you really need ten sets of dishes and utensils? It’s unlikely that you’ll be hosting huge parties, so save yourself some space in your new, smaller place and donate some of your kitchenware; or, sell it online and make a few bucks to help furnish your new home!

Neutral kitchen with light gray cabinets, open wooden shelves, white tile backsplash, framed artwork, and neatly arranged tableware.

2. Clean out Your Closet

You don’t have to embrace a full-on minimalist lifestyle or part ways with everything you own—there’s no need for that!

However, it’s likely that you have duplicates, unworn items, and clothes you only reach for once a year, not to mention those boxes filled with things you haven’t even touched.

If this is what your closet is like, then it’s time to get rid of a few things to make space in your smaller apartment. As you work your way through the closet, remember to ask yourself questions to keep you on track:

3. Go Digital

One thing your new apartment definitely doesn’t need is a huge stack of DVDs and CDs. It may be hard to hear, but it’s time to embrace the digital age. While books can make great decorations, your new place might not have the space for them.

Consider going digital by converting your book, music, and DVD collections into files for your iPad or computer. This shift will not only make your move much easier but also free up a ton of space you never imagined having in your smaller apartment.

4. Use Simple Color Schemes

In your old place, you probably had plenty of room to experiment with bold color schemes and unique designs for each room. But in your new small apartment, it’s best to keep things simple. Opt for a cohesive color palette that creates a strong, bold look while still making the space feel open and airy.

Bright multipurpose room with a home office desk, plaid sofa, blue armchair, coffee table, and large window.

5. Focus on Spacing and Design

If you do have time to see the unit before moving in, then go ahead and take some measurements to understand the new flow and layout of your new space. Figuring out where the furniture will go before you purchase it and move it into the unit can make for a less hectic and stressful move.

RoomSketcher 3D Floor Plan Small Apartment Furniture Layout

To maximize space in your small apartment, the RoomSketcher App is an invaluable tool that allows you to create and customize your own 2D and 3D floor plans.

Start by inputting the accurate dimensions of your apartment to ensure a precise layout. Then, experiment with different furniture arrangements to see what works best for your space.

RoomSketcher’s Live 3D feature lets you view your design from various angles, helping you understand how each piece fits within the room. Additionally, you can try out different color schemes and decor styles to enhance the sense of space.

By using RoomSketcher to plan your layout, you can make informed decisions that optimize every square foot of your new home.

Try RoomSketcher
Where should I start when downsizing to a smaller apartment?
Work through the rooms that hold the most excess first. Declutter the kitchen, then the closet, move book, music and DVD collections to digital, settle on a simple color palette for the new place, and plan the furniture layout against real measurements before moving day.
What should I get rid of in the kitchen when downsizing?
Duplicates and things you have not touched in a year. A smaller kitchen will not hold the serving utensils you never use or ten sets of dishes — in a smaller apartment you are unlikely to be hosting on that scale, so donate or sell the surplus.
How do I decide which clothes to keep?
Ask four questions of each item: when did I last wear this, does it still fit, do I actually need it or is it just taking up space, and would a friend get more use out of it? You do not need to go fully minimalist — the aim is to clear duplicates, unworn items and clothes you only wear once a year.
How does going digital help when downsizing?
Converting book, music and DVD collections into files for a tablet or computer makes the move itself easier and frees up a surprising amount of shelf and floor space in the new apartment.
What color scheme works best in a small apartment?
Keep it simple and cohesive. A large home leaves room to experiment with bold, room-by-room schemes, but in a small apartment a single consistent palette makes the space feel open and airy while still looking deliberate.
How do I plan the furniture layout before I move in?
If you can visit the unit before moving in, take measurements so you understand its flow and layout. Entering accurate dimensions into a tool such as the RoomSketcher App lets you try furniture arrangements in advance, and the Live 3D view shows the result from different angles — so you buy and move only what actually fits.

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