Designing Moves
We design your new life first, then curate your possessions to fulfil that vision.
We turn the overwhelming into the organised, bringing architectural thinking to your downsizing move. Planning with Designing Moves Taupo will transform your downsizing journey.
Our Philosophy: Design-Led downsizing for best moves
We treat your downsizing move 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. We focus on the design and planning that comes before the move - understanding your lifestyle, your dreams for your new space, and your vision for this next chapter of life. We offer a dimensioned plan of your key rooms complete with a layout based on the furniture that you choose to take with you on your journey.
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. We offer a dimensioned plan of your key rooms complete with a layout based on the furniture that you choose to take with you on your journey and using our streamed system we assist you in making decisions where the items that you will take with you are identified - your moving company quote can be precise, and your moving day more likely to run to plan.
We currently offer a face to face service in Taupo, other locations are serviced virtually or by arrangement.
Designing Moves
Designing Moves Taupo
Designing Moves Taupo is a design-led downsizing & move planning service where you, your needs and wishes for your next home are our focus.
Bringing Architectural thinking to your move & Turn Overwhelm into Organised
Create a beautiful, comfortable & functional home with a personalised approach.
About the Designing Moves Team
Designing Moves Taupo is a new downsizing move service offered as a companion service to Mark Rantin Architecture, an architectural practice established in 2001 which has specialised in residential projects mainly throughout Auckland and North Auckland, now based in Taupo.
We bring the skills of architecture, spatial planning and move logistics together in one comprehensive service for clients transitioning to smaller homes and have developed an easy to use system to help you sort out your possessions in a careful structured manner.
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.
Through Mark Rantin Architecture we can provide dimensioned floor plans and layouts based on furniture that you wish to relocate to your new home.
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 will 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. We can work with you, or with you and your family. 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. For downsizing movers who are not located in Taupo - contact us for service options.
Let Designing Moves Taupo brings architectural thinking to your downsizing move.
Call us before you start packing the boxes.
Designing Moves Taupo - 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 downsizing move 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. Taupo downsizing moves just got a whole lot more simple and less stressful.
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 or suggest one of the recommended local companies.
Ask us about options for locations out of Taupo
Vision & Space Planning
- Assessment of new home's design potential and any spatial 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
Taupo Downsizing Move 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
Not located in Taupo? Contact us for other options
Caring Adult Children
Helping parents navigate downsizing moves can be challenging, especially when geography or time constraints make hands-on assistance difficult. Especially when you can't be on the ground to ease the process. 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)
Designing Moves Services
How we turn the overwhelming into the organised before Moving Day
We bring architectural thinking to your move
Vision & Planning ConsultationAssessment of new home's design potential and any spatial 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 realise 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 $40 - $110. ➤ Full service packages (recommended) Individually priced to your needs.