January usually is the month when we are full of energy in regards to the things we want to achieve in the upcoming months. We intend to start fresh and organised in the new year to get on top of things.

Maybe your goal is to downsize your home, to start a new hobby, to write a book or to learn how to paint. No matter what it is, it is always good to get your home organised first – to free up your mind from physical clutter – so that you can concentrate on the important things in your life.

Today, I would like to share ten tips with you how to stay organised and improve your wellbeing at home - a prerequisite to get your New Year resolutions under way.

The post DWS 65: 10 Tips to Stay Organised at Home appeared first on Bettina Deda.

This episode of the Downsize with Style podcast features extracts of three shows that have been most popular in 2015 to help you downsizing your home:

1. Decluttering by Categories

If you could leave a rating on iTunes to help promote the podcast, that would make my day!

The post DWS 64: Best of 2015 appeared first on Bettina Deda.

Are you overwhelmed with the number of retirement housing options to choose from?

Stay tuned to this podcast and you will find out why living in a retirement village could be the right choice for you.

In this episode, I talk to the Manager of The Gracewood Community, a multi-award winning retirement resort in Sydney's west. She shares her personal approach to connecting with the residents and why that is so important to her. You will also hear about the opportunities community living is offering and why no day is the same.

To get a head start on your downsizing journey book your online consultation today!

Show Notes:

The Gracewood Community

The post DWS 63: The Gracewood Community appeared first on Bettina Deda.

Have you ever considered community living and moving into a retirement resort?

Tune in to episode 62 of the Downsize with Style podcast to listen to Sydney couple Jenny and Mike, who moved to The Gracewood Community in the Sydney suburb of Kellyville to make most of their retirement lifestyle and enjoy their life with less clutter and things to worry about.

They share how they managed to de-clutter their family home of 35 years, why they took the plunge into the unknown after retiring, how they made sure that their furniture was going to fit into their new apartment, and why there is no typical day in community living.

The post DWS 62: Case Study: Community Living appeared first on Bettina Deda.

In this episode, I share seven things to consider when downsizing your home, such as costs, lifestyle, location, funcitonality, and your social network.

I also talk about mood boards and why you should consider using a mood board when furnishing your new home and interior decorating.

Show Notes:

5 Reasons Why you Should Consider a Mood Board for Your Decorating Project

The post DWS 61: 7 Things to Consider When Downsizing Your Home appeared first on Bettina Deda.

Affordable housing for a growing population is a hot topic in Australia. In the past year, I interviewed many people on this podcast helping empty nesters find the right place to live for their retirement.

In the US, shared housing is a massive trend and follows the sharing economy from Airbnb and Uber. According to Karen Venable, founder of RoomMates4Boomers, shared housing is becoming more and more popular and socially accepted. Apart from the US, her site receives enquiries from Canada, Mexico, and Israel.

Tune in to this podcast where she shares her story how she came up with the idea for this innovative service and what it is all about.

Show Notes

The post DWS 60: House Sharing for Empty Nesters appeared first on Bettina Deda.

In this episode, I chat with Veronica and David, a couple from the US, who downsized from their family home to a campervan travelling the world. They share their their experiences on their blog and in their book Going Gypsy - One Couple's Adventure from Empty Nest to No Nest at all.

You will hear how they managed to let go of things, why they prefer living in a caravan, how they define 'home', and what their three tips for empty nesters are to get started.

Show Notes

Going Gypsy by Veronica and David James

The post DWS 59: From Empty Nest to No Nest appeared first on Bettina Deda.

You are downsizing and looking to create an inspiring, stylish, and personal home. In order to achieve this, you need to find your personal decorating style. I believe that everybody has a certain decorating style, some people just don’t know how to name it. Don’t be confused if you like a mix of different styles and things.

If you are not sure what you like, or not confident enough to buy the pieces you really love, this podcast is for you.

Show Notes:

Become an Explorer of the World by Keri Smith

The post DWS 58: 3 Strategies to Find Your Decorating Style appeared first on Bettina Deda.

In episode 57 of the Downsize with Style podcast, I share 5 Tips to de-clutter your paperwork.

Show Notes:

The post DWS 57: Decluttering Paperwork appeared first on Bettina Deda.

Australia’s first apartment dog park has been announced in Melbourne. The Gardenhill Project will feature a securely fenced ground floor off-lead area for dogs with seating, drinking facilities and a dog-cleaning station.

According to the RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), there are over 33 million pets in Australia, with 39 per cent of households owning a dog. However, downsizing with pets to an apartment can be a challenge. Strata schemes have different rules regarding pet ownership, and the states and territories have different strata laws.

In episode 56 of the Downsize with Style podcast, I talk to Dr. Kersti Seksel, a Registered Veterinary Specialist in Animal Behaviour.

Show Notes

Web links:

Sydney Animal Behaviour Service (sabs)

Pheromones for cats

Pheromones for dogs

Book Tip:

The Cats' House

The post DWS 56: Downsizing with Pets appeared first on Bettina Deda.