Congratulations! Your family is growing, and you’ve outgrown your current home. Whether you’re expecting a new baby, your children need their own rooms, or you simply need more space, upsizing is an exciting milestone.
Families typically upsize when children reach school age or when adding a third or fourth family member. The average upsize involves moving from 1,500 square feet to 2,200-2,500 square feet—roughly 50% more space.
Orlando’s diverse housing market offers excellent upsizing options, from spacious suburban homes to larger properties in established communities.
Why Families Upsize
Growing Children Need Their Own Rooms: The most common trigger. Siblings sharing rooms works when they’re young, but school-age children benefit from their own space.
Statistics: 67% of families upsize when their oldest child reaches age 7-10.
New Baby on the Way: Expecting a second, third, or fourth child often necessitates more bedrooms.
Home Office Requirements: Remote work makes a dedicated home office essential. Your dining table can’t serve as your workspace forever.
Multi-Generational Living: Aging parents or adult children moving in requires additional bedrooms and living areas.
Lifestyle Changes: Hobbies requiring dedicated space—home gym, craft room, music studio, workshop.
Determining How Much Space You Need
Current Space Analysis:
- What’s your current square footage?
- What feels cramped or insufficient?
- What spaces do you wish you had?
Common Upsizing Scenarios:
From 2-Bedroom to 3-Bedroom: Average increase: 400-600 square feet (1,200 to 1,600-1,800 sq ft)
From 3-Bedroom to 4-Bedroom: Average increase: 500-800 square feet (1,800 to 2,300-2,600 sq ft)
From 3-Bedroom to 5-Bedroom: Average increase: 800-1,200 square feet (1,800 to 2,600-3,000 sq ft)
Don’t Oversize
Consider:
- Maintenance increases with size
- Utilities cost significantly more
- Property taxes increase
- More space to furnish
- Larger yards require more maintenance
Right-Sizing: Buy for your needs in the next 5-7 years, not imaginary future scenarios.
What to Keep vs. Replace
Evaluate Each Piece:
Kitchen Table: Your 4-person table looks lost in a formal dining room. Consider upgrading to 6-8 seats.
Sofas and Sectionals: A loveseat won’t fill a spacious family room. You may need a full-size sofa or sectional.
Bedroom Furniture: Children’s furniture may need upgrading. Toddler beds become twin or full beds.
What Typically Stays:
- Quality mattresses and beds
- Dressers in good condition
- Accent furniture
- Outdoor furniture
What Typically Gets Replaced:
- Main seating (too small)
- Dining table and chairs (need larger)
- Children’s bedroom furniture (outgrown)
Don’t Rush to Furnish
Strategic Approach: Live in the space for 2-3 months to understand how you actually use each room before making major purchases.
Budget Reality: Furnishing additional space costs $3,000-$10,000+ depending on rooms. Plan for this expense beyond moving costs.
Moving Costs for Upsizing
Average Upsizing Move Costs (Orlando Local):
From 2-Bedroom to 3-Bedroom: Total: $950-$1,700
From 3-Bedroom to 4-Bedroom: Total: $1,400-$2,400
Additional First-Year Costs:
- Lawn equipment: $300-$800
- Window treatments: $500-$2,000
- Basic furniture for additional rooms: $3,000-$10,000
- Utility deposits: $200-$500
Ongoing Increased Costs:
- Mortgage/rent: $500-$1,500+ more monthly
- Utilities: $100-$300 more monthly
- Property taxes: $1,000-$3,000 more annually
- Insurance: $300-$800 more annually
- Maintenance: $500-$1,500 more annually
Annual Cost Increase from Upsizing: $12,000-$30,000+
Ensure your budget accommodates these increases.
Timing Considerations
Moving While Pregnant
Strategies:
- Hire professional movers (essential)
- Pack gradually over 6-8 weeks
- Ask friends/family for packing help
- Set up nursery first in new home
Ideal Timing: Second trimester (months 4-6) if possible.
Moving with Infants
Strategies:
- Pack large diaper bag with 2-3 days of supplies
- Set up baby’s room first
- Maintain feeding and sleep routines
- Have someone dedicated to watching baby on moving day
Moving with School-Age Children
Best Timing:
- Summer break (doesn’t disrupt school)
- Winter break if summer isn’t possible
Involving Children:
- Let them pack their own rooms
- Allow them to choose paint colors
- Visit new home before moving
- Emphasize exciting aspects (bigger yard, own room)
Setting Up a Larger Home
Avoiding the Empty House Feel
Temporary Placeholders:
- Use existing furniture creatively
- Add inexpensive area rugs
- Display books and decorative items
- Add plants ($20-$100)
Don’t Rush to Fill: Live in the space 2-3 months first. Make intentional purchases rather than impulse buys.
Setup Priorities
Week 1: Essentials
- All bedrooms
- Kitchen functional
- One bathroom fully set up
- Main living area
Week 2-4: Daily Living
- Remaining bathrooms
- Dining area
- Home office
- Laundry area
Month 2-3: Enhancement
- Guest bedroom
- Additional living spaces
- Outdoor areas
Months 4-12: Completion
- Bonus rooms
- Specialty spaces
- Full furnishing
Orlando Family-Friendly Neighborhoods
Lake Nona: Newer development, top-rated schools, 2,500-3,500 sq ft homes, $450,000-$650,000
Winter Garden: Charming downtown, excellent schools, larger lots, 2,200-3,200 sq ft, $400,000-$550,000
Oviedo: Top-rated schools, suburban feel, larger yards, 2,000-2,800 sq ft, $350,000-$500,000
Dr. Phillips: Established neighborhood, excellent schools, convenient, 2,500-3,500 sq ft, $450,000-$700,000
Apopka: More affordable, good schools, growing rapidly, 2,000-2,600 sq ft, $300,000-$425,000
Baldwin Park: Walkable, excellent schools, urban village feel, 2,200-3,000 sq ft, $450,000-$600,000
What to Look For
School Quality: Check GreatSchools.org ratings and visit schools.
Parks and Recreation: Proximity to parks and family activities.
Safety: Research crime statistics, talk to neighbors.
Yard Size: With children, outdoor space matters in Orlando’s year-round weather.
Hidden Costs of Bigger Homes
Utilities:
- 1,500 to 2,200 sq ft: +$80-$150/month
- 1,500 to 2,800 sq ft: +$120-$250/month
Property Taxes: Higher home value means higher taxes.
HOA Fees: Many family communities have HOA fees ($50-$300/month).
Insurance: Larger homes cost more to insure.
Maintenance: Budget 1-3% of home value annually.
Lawn Care:
- DIY: Larger mower needed ($400-$800)
- Professional: $100-$250/month
Orlando Express Movers for Growing Families
At Orlando Express Movers, we’ve helped countless families upsize to accommodate their growing needs. We understand the unique challenges of moving with children.
Our Family-Focused Services:
Flexible Scheduling: We work around nap times, school schedules, and family commitments.
Careful Handling: We treat your family’s belongings with care.
Efficient Service: We work efficiently to minimize disruption so children adjust faster.
Child-Friendly: Our crews are patient with curious children.
Transparent Pricing: Clear quotes with no surprises.
We’ve moved families from apartments to houses, from starter homes to forever homes, and from cramped quarters to spacious comfort.
Ready to Upsize?
Moving to a larger home is an exciting milestone for your growing family. With proper planning, realistic budgeting, and the right moving partner, your transition can be smooth and joyful.
Contact Orlando Express Movers today for a free quote on your upsizing move. Let us know about your growing family’s needs, and we’ll create a moving plan that works for you.
Call us to discuss your family’s move to a bigger, better home. We’re here to help your family grow into your new space!