Downsizing can be an exciting yet overwhelming process. Over the years, our families grow and we collect pieces over time, some hold significant value, some acquired without much thought. Eventually, the time comes for us to make the decision to choose quality over quantity. This was exactly the thought process for our clients in this project in Milton.
Our clients worked with our designer, Leah Bonarrigo, to create a kitchen space in their retirement condominium that would provide the same craftsmanship and design as their previous home’s kitchen but also prioritizing ease of function and storage for them as they considered what aging in their new home might look like. They were used to having a big kitchen with room for everything, but now needed to be even more intentional with the design choices and mindful of how they would age into it.
The goal was to create a space that was designed beautifully with an emphasis on being efficient, accessible, and well-organized—all while letting go of pieces that no longer served the client’s lifestyle.
Before designing the kitchen, Leah and her clients took inventory of everything that needed to stay. The new space had to support the clients lifestyle while also being functional and easy to navigate—no more bending over and digging through lower cabinets!
Some of the key design features included:
Base cabinets with drawers and rollouts – This made accessing pots, pans, and dishes an easy task.
Dividers for organization – From cutlery inserts to vertical slots for baking sheets, every item had a designated spot.
Handles instead of knobs – Easier to grip and operate, especially over time.
Soft-close hinges – A simple touch for added comfort and durability.
Under-cabinet lighting – Improving visibility and adding a warm ambiance to the space.
Even with the best planning, some storage needs reveal themselves only after living in the space for a time. We left room for after-market solutions, like bins for extra organization and vertical dividers above the refrigerator for the few platters that stayed.
One of the biggest challenges was deciding which items to keep and which to part with - our client was ready to entertain less frequently and wanted a kitchen that worked well for them as they aged. That meant parting with items that had been collected over the years but weren’t truly necessary in their new home.
Some of the big-ticket items that found a new home included:
Crystal, china sets, and teacups – Beautiful, but rarely used.
Bowls, platters, and linens – With fewer large gatherings, we narrowed down the collection to just the essentials.
Dining room furniture – A buffet sideboard, bar cabinet, and built-in hutch were no longer needed in the new layout.
Donations were made to The Little Bureau and Savers, ensuring these items could be loved by someone else.
For cabinetry, we used Plain & Fancy Custom Cabinetry from the Medley Product Line, featuring frameless construction for a sleek and modern look. The cabinets were built with 3/4" thick high-quality particleboard cores with white melamine interiors, topped off with a Vogue door style in a white enamel finish with a satin sheen.
Additional functional upgrades included:
Wood rollouts for easy access
Deep drawers for ample storage
A sink mat for effortless cleaning
A counter-depth refrigerator to improve circulation in the galley kitchen
By making thoughtful decisions and focusing on accessibility, organization, and efficiency our clients’ kitchen became a space that truly worked for their lifestyle. Downsizing doesn’t mean sacrificing—it just means curating what truly matters.
Are you thinking of making the move to downsize in the near future? Join us next Thursday, March 27th with Leah Bonarrigo and a panel of industry experts to learn about all the ways to make your downsizing decision as smooth as possible.
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