Moving to a smaller home doesn't mean compromising on comfort or style. It means being thoughtful about every piece that comes with you. After years of accumulating furniture for a larger family home, downsizing is your opportunity to invest in quality pieces that truly fit your new lifestyle.
Here's how to make smart furniture choices that maximise space without sacrificing the moments that matter – family dinners, visits from grandchildren, quiet mornings with the paper.
How do I measure my new space for furniture?
Before you fall in love with any piece, know your numbers.
Essential measurements:
- Room dimensions (length, width, ceiling height)
- Doorway widths and heights (will the furniture actually fit through?)
- Window placement and sizes
- Power outlet locations
- Any architectural features (alcoves, bay windows, radiators)
👆🏽Pro tip: Take photos of your empty rooms with a tape measure visible in frame. When you're browsing furniture, you'll have instant visual reference for scale.
For dining spaces specifically, measure from wall to wall, then subtract circulation space (more on this below). What's left is your maximum furniture footprint.
How much space do I need around a dining table?
This is where downsizers often get caught out. A table might fit the room, but can you actually move around it comfortably?
Minimum circulation space:
- 90cm behind each chair when someone's seated (allows others to walk past)
- 110cm if it's a high-traffic area (e.g., path to kitchen)
- 75cm minimum if it's against a wall and only accessed from one side
Example calculation:
- Room size: 3.5m x 3m
- Desired table: 1.8m x 1m
- Required space: 1.8m + 0.9m + 0.9m = 3.6m length (won't work comfortably)
- Better option: 1.5m x 1m table, or custom size at 1.6m x 0.9m
Small adjustments make big differences. A custom table sized at 1.6m instead of 1.8m gives you that circulation space whilst still seating 6 comfortably.
Should I choose a dining table with a bench seat?
For downsizers, bench seats are brilliant space-savers.
Bench seat advantages:
- Tucks completely under table when not in use (reclaims floor space)
- Seats 2-3 people in the space where 2 chairs would fit
- Perfect for grandchildren (they love sliding along benches)
- Creates cleaner visual lines (less visual clutter)
Consider this setup:
- One long bench on the wall side (seats 3)
- Two chairs on the opposite side (seats 2)
- One chair at each end (seats 2)
- Total seating: 7 people without crowding your space
When grandchildren visit, the bench becomes the kids' table zone. When it's just the two of you, chairs are ample and the bench tucks away.
Browse our dining chair and bench seat options here →
How many dining chairs do I actually need?
Think about your real life, not aspirational dinner parties.
Everyday vs occasional seating:
Everyday chairs (invest in quality):
- Number of people living in the home + 2
- These get used daily – breakfast, dinner, working from home
- Worth investing in comfort and durability
Occasional chairs (practical extras):
- Foldable timber chairs for when family visits
- Store in a cupboard or garage between uses
- Bring out for Christmas, birthdays, Sunday lunches
Example for couple downsizing:
- 4 quality timber dining chairs (everyday use + 2 guests)
- 4 folding timber chairs stored away (extended family gatherings)
- Total capacity: 8 when needed, space for 4 daily
This approach means your dining space doesn't feel crowded on a Tuesday morning, but you're ready when the whole family descends for a birthday lunch.
Browse our dining chair and bench seat options here →
What's the best timber for smaller spaces?
Lighter timbers create visual space. Darker timbers add warmth and sophistication.
For smaller, light-filled spaces:
- Blackbutt: Even-textured Australian hardwood with straight grain in warm golden yellow to pale brown tones.
- Tasmanian Oak: Light-coloured eucalyptus blend ranging from pale straw to reddish-brown with straight, consistent grain.
- American Oak: Consistent straight grain with warm honey tones enhanced by our matte finish for depth and richness.
For creating warmth in compact spaces:
- Walnut: Premium hardwood featuring rich chocolate brown heartwood with distinctive grain patterns from straight to dramatic swirls.
- Recycled Messmate: Reclaimed eucalyptus timber with distinctive character marks and natural weathering from decades of use.
The honest answer: Choose the timber you love. Quality craftsmanship matters more than trends. A well-built walnut table in a small space looks intentional and sophisticated, not cramped.
Read more about the timber types we offer here →
Should I buy ready-made or custom furniture when downsizing?
Standard furniture rarely fits non-standard spaces perfectly. And retirement homes, townhouses, and modern apartments rarely have standard dimensions.
When custom makes sense:
- Awkward room dimensions (3.2m x 2.8m dining space)
- Specific circulation requirements (mobility aids, walking frames)
- Maximising every centimetre (1.65m table fits, 1.8m doesn't)
- You want furniture that lasts your lifetime (investment mindset)
Custom sizing example: Standard dining tables come in 1.5m, 1.8m, 2.1m lengths. But what if your perfect size is 1.65m? Custom sizing means you get the table that actually fits your space and lifestyle, not close enough.
Contact us to start designing your custom dining table →
How do I choose quality furniture that lasts?
You're downsizing, not downgrading. This is your opportunity to invest in fewer, better pieces.
Quality indicators:
- Solid timber construction
- Traditional joinery
- Transparent warranty
- Local manufacturing
You're likely in this home for 15-20+ years. A quality dining table used daily for 20 years costs less per use than cheap furniture replaced every 5 years. Plus, solid timber ages beautifully – developing character rather than falling apart.
What about storage furniture for smaller homes?
Less floor space doesn't mean less storage needs. It means smarter storage.
Vertical storage solutions:
- Tall, narrow bookcases (use height, not floor space)
- Wall-mounted cabinets
- Custom entertainment units that fit your exact wall width
Dual-purpose furniture:
- Bed frames with integrated storage drawers
- Coffee tables with lower shelves
- Dining buffets that double as serving stations
Custom sizing for awkward spaces:
- That 87cm-wide alcove? Custom sideboard fills it perfectly
- Under-stairs storage built to exact dimensions
- Entertainment units sized to your specific wall (no wasted gaps)
Contact us to start designing your custom storage solutions →
How do I start planning furniture for my new home?
Before you move:
- Measure your new space thoroughly
- Identify what you genuinely use vs what's just there
- Calculate minimum circulation space requirements
- Decide which pieces are non-negotiable (comfortable bed, proper dining table)
After measuring:
- Consider custom sizing for key pieces (dining, bedroom, storage)
- Book a consultation to discuss options, timber species, timelines
- Plan ahead – quality custom furniture typically takes 8-12 weeks
Start with your anchor pieces: Most downsizers begin with the dining table (social hub) or bed frame (daily comfort). Get these right, and everything else follows.
Browse our Made To Order range to get started →
Ready to plan your downsized home?
Downsizing is about living well with less – fewer pieces, better quality, perfectly suited to your new chapter.
We work with downsizers regularly, helping translate a lifetime's worth of furniture into thoughtful pieces for smaller spaces. Custom sizing, timber selection, and that crucial balance between everyday comfort and hosting grandchildren.
Book a consultation: Visit our Melbourne showroom at 48 De Havilland Rd, Mordialloc, or contact us to discuss your downsizing project. We'll help you measure, plan, and create furniture that fits your new home perfectly.
All pieces handcrafted in our Melbourne workshop from sustainably sourced Australian hardwoods, backed by our 10-year structural warranty.
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Jul 19 2024
