Why It Matters: Smaller homes don’t have to feel smaller. With thoughtful planning, new construction gives you the benefits of less space and more life.
Downsizing doesn’t have to feel like giving up space. For Teris and Kate Pantazes, it meant gaining efficiency, comfort, and a fresh start.
They traded a 4,000-square-foot 1920s home in Baltimore for a newly built 2,500-square-foot one on the outskirts of town after the birth of their first child. Despite losing square footage, the open layout and purposeful design made the new home feel just as big.
What worked:
Fewer unused rooms (goodbye, dining room and home office)
More energy efficiency
Smarter storage and better layout
A fresh design that fit their lifestyle
Pro tip from Pantazes: “Go smaller, but plan smarter.”
3 Downsizing Tips from the Pantazes
Keep one favorite item per room
Buy furniture that fits the space
Choose a design style that matches the new home
Kitchens Still Matter
Downsizing doesn't mean skimping on your kitchen. New homes are often designed with open kitchens that expand into casual dining areas and still leave room for entertaining.
Smart kitchen planning:
Use the island for casual meals
Repurpose the breakfast nook
Save the dining room for special occasions
Make Space for What Matters
New homes may have fewer walls, but they’re flexible. Builders can:
Add wall space for art
Create storage for kitchen gear
Design open areas with purpose
Planning is key: Start with the floor plan and measure what fits.
What the Experts Say
Anna Gibson, AKG Design Studio:
Grab a builder floor plan early
Inventory your belongings by room or type
Ditch what you don’t need, keep what you love
Ask for flex rooms and buy multifunctional pieces (like sleeper sofas or combo ovens)
Charmain Wynter, designer: Use a 3-D space plan to visualize furniture and layout before move-in.
Friends Make It Better
Many downsizers find their next home in a new-build community – often with longtime friends.
The appeal:
Shared history
Built-in support network
Dinner is just a walk away
Bottom Line: Downsizing to a newly built home is about right-sizing, not sacrifice.
Marcie Geffner
Marcie Geffner is an award-winning freelance reporter, writer and editor in Ventura, California. In the last decade, she has penned more than 1,000 published stories about residential and commercial real estate, banking, credit cards, computer security, health insurance and small business, among other subjects. Editors describe her as “detail-driven,” “conscientious,” “smart” and “incredibly versatile.” Her award-winning reporting has been lauded as “rock solid,” “spot-on relevant,” “informative,” “engaging,” “interesting” and “nuanced.” Her stories have been cited in seven published nonfiction books and two U.S. Congressional hearings. Prior to her freelance career, Geffner was senior editor of California Real Estate magazine. Later, she became managing editor of Inman.com, an independent real estate news website. She also has prior employment experience in technical writing, corporate communications and employee communications. She received a bachelor’s degree in English with high honors from UCLA and master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. She enjoys reading, home improvement projects and watching seagulls at the beach.