I'm downsizing from a country home to a city apartment – these are the 6 decor essentials that are coming with me (and 3 I'm getting rid of)

Traditional living room with orange sofa and marble fireplace with a green ottoman and a wall hanging.

I'm moving house. Again. Eleven months after the last time. Half my stuff is still in boxes. And half my stuff is getting decluttered, sold, or given away. For this move, I'm being strict. The new home is smaller and in the city, as opposed to the country house I am in now – so I am learning how to downsize without compromising on my style.

While packing, I've been taking a long, hard look at what counts as essential for a home in 2025, and my decisions are surprising me. Things I thought were key to a happy life are no longer needed, while some things many would think were unnecessary are, in fact, important to the way my new, smaller rooms look and feel.