A big part of the downsizing process is helping clients sort through all their possessions that accumulate over many years (or decades) while living in the same home. Rather than focusing on what to get rid of, here at Songbird, one of our mottos is: “we help you find the things you want to keep.”  

Once clients decide on the furniture, décor and other household items they plan to keep for their new downsized space, we help to "re-home" everything else. That process may involve getting furniture to family members, donating items to local charities (what we call the downsizing double win) or selling select items to local vendors. 

For a realistic and up-to-date perspective on what...

We want to take the opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to the many friends, family, colleagues and clients who make our work so meaningful and fulfilling. 

Because a few words on a card simply aren't enough, we thought it would be more fun to share a Thanksgiving video greeting with you. Click below to see our video greetings: 

You've helped to make this the most impactful year yet for Songbird Transitions. Thank you, thank you, thank you. 

Hugs & High Fives, 

Sam & the Songbird Transitions team 

Songbird Transitions recently had the pleasure of helping Mary Ellen and Dan downsize from a 2,600-square foot, 4 bedroom, 3.5 bath home they had lived in for 17 years and move into a 2-bedroom 1,500-square foot villa at Otterbein Granville.  

We had so much fun working alongside Mary Ellen, a retired English teacher, to determine what furniture, décor and collectibles to keep and what could be sold or donated to local charities—what we call the downsizing double-win. We then completed an “interior re-design" of the new space using all of her favorite pieces. We even helped her pick out paint colors for each room!

Mary Ellen & Dan’s new villa is cozy, comfortable and perfectly...

Downsizing is a "snap" with Songbird! Here's a little before and after video we made for a client who we helped to downsize into a 2-bedroom apartment at Middleton at Granville. We really loved working with this super sweet couple. We helped them sort, pack, deliver unneeded furniture to local charities, move and unpack--including hanging all of their artwork--in three short days. Snap!

Interior design and home decorating have been a big part of Susan’s life. It’s in her DNA, you could say. Susan grew up working in her parents’ store—the oldest furniture store in the state. When not teaching French at the local high school, Susan enjoyed collecting antiques, managing renovation projects and decorating the historic 1898 farmhouse she shared with her husband. Featured on the local tour of homes four times, the property brought tremendous joy to Susan and her family.

After her husband passed away in 2019, rather than trying to maintain the large home and acreage alone, Susan reached out to Songbird Transitions to help her downsize to Middle Senior Living...

Over the past few years, we’ve had the privilege of helping dozens of seniors downsize and relocate to Otterbein Granville (formerly Kendal). This life plan community offers independent living in lovely little cottages, villas and apartments in addition to assisted living and skilled nursing services. There’s a lot to love about Otterbein Granville. With a backdrop of wooded hillsides and wildflower-lined walking paths, Otterbein is well known for its first-class health and wellness facilities and a wide range of activities. The list of authors, artists and musicians who have visited it is long and illustrious. But what makes Otterbein so special are the people who call it home; people like Nancy...

Kirsten and Jurgen's story involves both international emigration and local migration. Their moves first took them from Europe to North America, then from the East Coast to the Midwest. Their most recent moves were local. Very local, in fact: one move was a block away; and their move this fall was just a hop, skip and a jump across town. The Songbird Team and I were thrilled to help this sweet couple with their recent downsize to Kendal--now Otterbein at Granville. Jurgen and Kirsten graciously allowed us to share more about their story as well as a peek inside their cozy new home.   

So where did this...

Mistake #1: Underestimating how much stuff you have. 

After years—or even decades—of living in the same home, it is easy to accumulate lots of, ahem, "stuff." All that stuff we buy can quickly fill closets, garages, attics and storage units.  

We all love all our stuff...until it comes time to move or downsize.  

I always insist on looking at all the nooks and crannies of a house prior to working with a client on a downsize. I'm not trying to be nosey. It is simply because chances are, you don’t realize how much stuff is tucked away in the back of the closet or a corner of the...

Downsizing can feel a bit daunting at first, but the process of decluttering and letting go of clothing and household furnishings that you don’t use or no longer need can also be extremely rewarding.  

After helping hundreds of older adults downsize into senior living communities and smaller homes, we know how difficult it can be to part with some possessions. But we’ve learned letting go of those extra end tables and dishes is much easier if you know they will go to someone who will appreciate them or support a cause you care about.   

When sorting which items to keep and which to downsize, we...