For so long, large homes have been the dream of many, often seen as a status symbol and a sign that someone’s made it. But times are changing, and the concept of downsizing has increased in popularity. Now, environmentally conscious people are realising that smaller homes can help reduce their carbon footprint.
Living in a large house can come with some environmental cost. So, unless you’ve got plenty of sustainable processes in place, if you’re looking to do your bit for the planet, downsizing to a smaller residence may be a good route to consider.
People Are Finding It Easy to Downsize in Modern Times
Recent polls suggest that a lot of people in the UK are becoming more environmentally conscious, and around 23 per cent of respondents would consider moving to a greener area. Studies have also found that, if more people decide to downsize, the combined effect could significantly reduce the country’s impact on the planet.
The downsizing trend is still in its early stages, as information about the benefits of this process hasn’t been as widely available until now. However, it could pick up pace thanks to the fact that it’s now easier than ever to sell a home and move somewhere else. In the past, large residences may have been difficult to sell due to high prices and long property chains, but this problem has been reduced by the rise of we buy any house companies online. These services promise to buy any property regardless of size or condition, meaning there are more options available for those looking to sell up quickly and move into smaller homes.
What are the Main Benefits of Downsizing?
From an environmental perspective, there are various benefits to downsizing that owners of large homes need to think about. The most obvious advantage to a smaller abode is the fact that you won’t need to use as much gas and electricity. Indeed, you can also get more usage out of renewable energy sources such as solar power when you don’t have as many rooms to cover.
There are some other benefits to downsizing that people don’t realise until they’ve made the move. For instance, smaller properties also often lead to simpler lifestyles, encouraging reduced material consumption and waste because there’s less space to fill with possessions.
Is This Trend Likely to Grow?
The downsizing trend is likely to pick up speed over the next few years as more people become more environmentally aware. Awareness about various aspects of daily life have grown in recent years, such as plastic reduction and the switch to electric cars.
However, smaller houses haven’t been promoted as much as a sustainable solution. It’s likely more studies will be released and word of mouth about downsizing will spread, encouraging more people to sell large properties and move into smaller ones.
