Rightsizing Can Mean More Space

Why More Space Is Sometimes About Better Design, Not Bigger Homes

When people hear the word rightsizing, they often assume it means moving into something smaller. But in my experience as a Portland Real Estate Broker and Advisor, rightsizing can absolutely mean more space. Just not always in the way people expect.

More space is not always about square footage. It is often about how a home supports your day to day life, your routines, and the way those routines have evolved over time.

Last year, I helped more than 50 clients buy and sell homes across the Portland metro area. Most of them were navigating some type of life transition, and many realized that their current home no longer fit the way they actually live. What they needed was not necessarily a much larger home, but a home that functioned better.

When More Space Really Matters

Life changes quietly. Work situations shift. Schedules get fuller. Hobbies take up more room. Time spent at home looks different than it did a few years ago.

I often hear homeowners say things like:
• We need a little more breathing room
• Our home feels tight even though the square footage should work
• We need flexibility for how we use our space
• The layout just does not support our daily rhythm anymore

In many cases, rightsizing to more space is really about supporting growth and change. That might mean an extra room that can flex between work, guests, or hobbies. It might mean shared spaces that feel open and connected. Or it might mean simply having a home that adapts as life evolves.

Why Layout Often Beats Square Footage

One of the most important things I help clients understand is that layout often matters more than total size.

A well designed home with connected living spaces can feel larger and more functional than a bigger home with a disjointed floor plan. Thoughtful layouts can reduce unused space, improve flow, and make everyday life feel easier.

This is why I always walk through how a home lives, not just what it measures on paper. Where do you gather. Where do you work. Where do you relax. How do you move through the space on a typical day.

Those answers matter far more than the total square footage.

Flexibility Is the New Priority

Another common theme I see is the need for flexibility. Homes today need to work harder than they used to.

An extra room can mean:
• A dedicated workspace
• A quiet place for hobbies
• A guest room when needed
• A flexible space that adapts over time

Rightsizing to more space often means creating options, not excess. The goal is a home that can change with you instead of forcing you to adapt to it.

Supporting the Next Chapter

One phrase I often use with clients is this: your home should support who you are becoming, not who you were.

That idea sits at the heart of rightsizing. It removes the pressure to fit into a mold and instead focuses on alignment. Alignment between your home and how you live today.

For some people, that alignment means more space. For others, it means less. And for many, it means different space.

How I Help

Rightsizing to more space is not about rushing into a bigger home. It is about understanding your options, clarifying what actually matters, and creating a plan that feels thoughtful and calm.

I help clients by:
• Talking through lifestyle changes and priorities
• Identifying whether space or layout is the real issue
• Evaluating homes based on how they live, not just size
• Creating a strategy that aligns buying and selling timelines
• Guiding the process so it feels manageable, not overwhelming

If you are starting to feel like your home no longer fits your life, that is worth paying attention to. And if you know someone who feels stretched in the wrong way or simply out of sync with their space, I would be honored to help.

You can reach out to me directly, give me a call, or make an introduction. Often, one thoughtful conversation is all it takes to bring clarity to what comes next