When you start to think about downsizing, there’s a lot to consider. However, few things are as important as choosing the right home style and floor plan. This is the foundation of how your home feels and functions, and without the right floor plan, your home is never going to feel ‘right’ for you. 

You’re going to want to consider your options carefully, so where should you start? Here are a few home styles that offer great floor plans for those looking to downsize.

1. Townhome 

If you want a low-maintenance home but don’t feel comfortable with the idea of purchasing an apartment or condo, a townhome is your best solution. Even better, at Sterling Homes, we won’t charge condo fees on this style of home even though they still provide the benefit of low-maintenance living associated with condos! Not only will it provide convenient lock-and-leave living, but you’ll have the peace of mind knowing there are neighbours close by to keep an eye on things when you’re away from home. 

A great option for townhomes is the Milan, which is part of our popular Evolve series. Our Evolve homes allow us to construct our homes much more efficiently without cutting corners or sacrificing on our usual great quality, meaning we can pass the savings directly along to you. With the Milan, you can get a brand-new townhome for as little as $289,000, GST included!

The Milan comes with a private garage and outdoor patio on the ground floor, and a spacious, open-plan living area with a great room, eating nook, balcony and a half bathroom on the main floor. Upstairs you’ll find the main bathroom and laundry room (located here for your convenience so you won’t need to carry laundry up and down the stairs), the guest bedroom and the master suite, which has its own ensuite bathroom.

Another fantastic Evolve townhome that’s currently available is the McDavid model. A three-bedroom, one-and-a-half bathroom home that offers the ideal layout for anyone looking to downsize to a more carefree lifestyle. It has a detached one-car garage on the ground floor, for convenient trips in and out of your home. As you walk upstairs to the main floor through the foyer, you’ll find a welcoming open kitchen and living room area, with a bathroom just steps away. 

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms and a main bath. You could turn one of these rooms into a guest room for when your kids or friends come to visit. The other can be turned into a space for your hobbies, a computer room, a home office or whatever you feel like. This model is perfect for downsizing couples, with just enough space for convenient everyday living. It’s very low-maintenance which makes it easy to come and go as you please. It’s also extremely affordable, starting at just $299,900 including GST.

2. Duplex

When you decide to downsize, you might want to retain that independent home feeling you had with a larger single-family home, without feeling like you’re losing out on the advantages of having your own space. In this case, a duplex provides a single-family home feel with half the maintenance. 

Duplexes are similar to larger homes – they can offer flex rooms, large high-ceiling living areas and a kitchen that can easily accommodate friends and family. It’s important to remember that even though you’re downsizing, you don’t have to give up any of the favourite features of your old house. 

Take a look at the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom Sensation model. This award-winning model truly is ideal for someone looking to downsize without giving up their own space. Three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms and a convenient front-attached garage mean that you’ll have the convenience and space you need. The main floor has a beautiful open layout with a kitchen that overlooks the great room and nook. This makes it easy to prepare meals and keep the conversation going when you have guests over or if your kids stop by for a home-cooked meal.

As you head upstairs, you’ll be impressed by the huge master bedroom. It has an ensuite with a luxurious soaker tub and a walk-in closet for your convenience. There are two more bedrooms and a laundry room down the hall. If you like having guests over, this is great news! They have easy access to the main bath right next door, and what you want to turn the other room into is totally up to you! Pricing for this model starts at only $339,000, which means you can likely keep a nice chunk for yourself after you sell your current house and move into this duplex.

One of our other most popular duplexes is the Sahara model. With three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms in its spacious 1,594 square foot floorplan, this is the perfect home for anyone who wants to downsize without giving up too much space. On the ground floor is an open-plan great room, eating nook and kitchen (with a walk-in pantry), a half bathroom, foyer and a two-car garage. 

Moving upstairs, there’s the main bathroom, a convenient laundry room, and three bedrooms. The two spare bedrooms are perfect for guest rooms for when the family comes to visit, craft rooms, a home office or even a library. In the master suite you’ll have a spacious walk-in closet and your own personal ensuite bathroom. At just $375,900, you’ll be getting a lot of living space for your money.

3. Bungalow

Alternatively, why not consider switching to a contemporary bungalow to keep everything simple and on one floor? 

A bungalow is both child and adult-friendly, so if you frequently enjoy the company of family visiting, this type of home is ideal for you. Since everything is on the main floor, you’ll enjoy easy access to all the things you need on the daily. This is especially significant for doing laundry and bringing in groceries from your weekly shopping. With a bungalow home, you’ll never have to struggle with going up and down the stairs again.

Let’s take a look at the Amity. The Amity features a spacious two-car garage that leads into a mudroom for keeping everything neat and tidy. With the open-concept living area, you’ll definitely be able to entertain, and the second bedroom at the front of the home is the perfect guest bedroom for when the grandkids come to visit. Your gorgeous master bedroom has everything you could possibly want, like a walk-in closet and an ensuite with separate shower and tub, along with side-by-side sinks. If you prefer to have more space, there are always options for finishing the basement. You may even be able to turn it into a separate suite if you want to let your adult children live with you for a few years while they save money for their own homes. 

The Amity is designed to be a high-end home with upscale features like vaulted ceilings. It’s for those who want to downsize without giving up luxury, but it still has an affordable price tag, starting at $449,900.

Alternatively, you could check out the Solace. This home has everything you could possibly need in a bungalow-style home, without feeling small or restricted. Your master suite comes with a walk-in closet and full ensuite bathroom, the kitchen area has a walk-in pantry, and the great room and nook feature 9’ vaulted ceilings. You’ll also find a laundry room, foyer and another half bathroom.

If this still isn’t enough, you’ll also have the option to turn the basement into a full legal suite with separate entrance. This makes the Solace the perfect choice for multigenerational families or gives you the option to add a rental suite to make some extra cash or pay down your mortgage faster. 

No matter what your style or needs are, downsizing doesn’t have to be a huge adjustment. Give one of our Area Managers a call and see how you can get started with downsizing your home. We’ll find the perfect fit for you.

Originally posted September 4, 2017; updated August 11, 2020.