Empty nest downsize — what to keep, what to buy new.
When the kids leave and you're downsizing the house, the temptation is to keep everything "just in case." Here's the framework: what to keep, what to replace with smaller versions, and what to buy new for the smaller space.
Keep
Your best kitchen knives. The cast iron. The art and photos you actually love. The chair you sleep in. The good tools. The Christmas decorations that mean something. The high-quality furniture (donate the IKEA).
Replace with smaller versions
Dining table (smaller, expandable). Sectional couch (smaller modular). Mattress (often a king becomes a queen). Kitchen appliances (right-size for cooking-for-2 — Instant Pot Mini, smaller air fryer).
Buy new for the smaller space
Storage that works for vertical (the new place has less floor space). A smaller vacuum (Dyson V-series cordless). A folding step stool. A real coffee setup (with the kids gone, your morning routine actually has time to enjoy it).
Frequently asked questions
Donate or sell?+
Quality furniture: sell on Facebook Marketplace. Everything else: donate. The time you spend selling cheap stuff isn't worth it.
What about the kids' stuff?+
Give them 30 days to claim or it goes to donation. Make the rule clear up front.
Need a personalized downsizing plan?
Tell us your square footage delta and what's negotiable.