Design Your Move
We design your new life first, then curate your possessions to fulfiil that vision
Turning Overwhelming into Organised and Inspired with Design Led planning with Design Your Move - Taupo
Our Philosophy: Design-Led Downsizing
Traditional moving services provide the essential logistics of moving day. We focus on the design and planning that comes before - understanding your lifestyle, your dreams for your new space, and your vision for this next chapter of life. This makes the moving process more tailored and cost-effective, ensuring you take only what your new home truly needs.
We treat your transition as a design project, applying professional architectural principles to create a home that's not just smaller, but better suited to how you want to live now.
About the Design Your Move Team
Design Your Move is a new downsizing service offered by MRA Limited, an architectural practice established in 2001 which has specialised in residential projects mainly throughout Auckland and North Auckland, now based in Taupo.
Our team, Wendy & Mark, bring the skills of architecture, spatial planning and move logistics together in one comprehensive service for clients transitioning to smaller homes.
Wendy brings operational logistics experience managing downsizing moves, as well as personal family experience helping our own family members navigate retirement village moves and other transitions. Our point of difference is that we assess the opportunities and limitations of your new home when planning your downsizing journey - applying architectural design principles to create a space that works beautifully for your lifestyle.
As your downsizing consultants, our service is delivered with empathy, friendliness, problem-solving and a good dose of fun as we work through the myriad of decisions ahead of you. We understand that moving to a smaller home is a major life transition, and our pre-move planning process ensures you feel supported every step of the way.
We put you at the centre of planning and work at the pace you're most comfortable with, using our structured program that assists and supports you to make the best decisions for your future. Whether you're moving to a retirement unit, apartment, or smaller freehold home, we help you create a space where the outcome exceeds expectation.
Wendy is your first point of contact and offers a no-obligation consultation for Taupo-based clients to discuss your specific downsizing needs.
Our Approach
Traditional moving services focus on elimination and getting your possessions safely from your old home to your new home. We focus on design and possibility. Every project begins with understanding your lifestyle and vision for your new space, then we professionally curate your belongings to create a home that's not just smaller, but perfectly suited to how you want to live.
How we work:
Vision & Planning: Assess your new space's potential and create a design brief
Strategic Curation: Select items that will create the most beautiful, functional home using our streamed system
Transition Management: Non-selected items are handled respectfully through multiple streams including family distribution, community donations, and value realisation through sales or auctions.
Confidence Period: optional 14-day review (pre-move) to refine decisions and adjust selections before parting with items and finalising mover bookings
We can work with your preferred moving company or packers.
Vision & Space Planning
- Assessment of new home's design potential and any spacial limitations
- Lifestyle design consultation and goal setting
- Room-by-room planning using professional design principles, identifying useable storage availability & practicality
- Accessibility and aging-in-place considerations
Designer Moves Strategic Curation & Team Work
Who We Serve
Downsizing Homeowners
If you've lived in your family home for 20+ years and are transitioning to a retirement unit or smaller property, we understand the emotional complexity of this journey. We help you create a new home that honours your life while embracing your future.
- Heritage item integration and cultural sensitivity
- Design-based selection criteria rather than arbitrary elimination
Caring Adult Children
Helping parents navigate downsizing can be challenging, especially when geography or time constraints make hands-on assistance difficult. We provide professional guidance that respects your parents' autonomy while keeping family members informed throughout the process.
- Family consultation and collaborative decision-making
Estate Executors
Managing property transitions after bereavement requires sensitivity and professional expertise. We handle significant possessions with cultural respect and provide comprehensive family consultation services.- Professional evaluation & measure up of furniture and belongings for new space
Other professionals
Introduction & collaboration with associated supporting services (Movers, Packers, Traders, Cleaners & Charities)
Design Your Move Services
How we turn over-whelming to organised before Moving Day
Vision & Planning ConsultationAssessment of new home's design potential and any spacial limitations - Lifestyle design consultation and goal setting - Room-by-room planning using professional design principles, identifying useable storage availability & practicality - Accessibility and aging-in-place considerations
Professional Assessment & Pre-Move PlanningWe professionally evaluate your belongings through a design lens. Which pieces will create the most beautiful, functional space in your new home? We handle this process with cultural sensitivity and deep respect for heritage items and family treasures. We can also help with sorting and transitioning surplus items, aiming to reduce waste and realize value where possible.
Who we can helpDownsizing Homeowners * Caring Adult Children * Estate Executors * Real Estate Professionals * Movers * Retirement Villages. ➤ Ask us how we can tailor a service to meet what you, your family member or client needs. ➤ Limited services hourly rate $60 - $80. ➤ Full services packages on request.