Most people think having a family means needing more space – often a home. My family has proven this to be untrue. We comfortably live in a small condo downtown – 5 of us in a 500 square foot apartment! And we make it work well for us. Owning a home is great for some people. But if you’re like us and cringe at having a monster mortgage and the constant up-keep that a house can entail, then I want you to know that there are other options. It is possible – great even, to live small, even with a kids. How do we do it? Here are My Family’s Golden Rules for Living Small
- Don’t buy things we don’t need or love Sounds simple, but in a small space, you really have to be selective about what you bring in. Really think about if it will make your life better or just add stress.
- Constantly reduce things we aren’t using If you haven’t used it in the last 6 months (or year for seasonal things) then get rid it.
- Buy furniture that serves double duty Our couch is a pull-out bed. Our kitchen island serves as a dining table and desk for the kids.
- Limit kids toys – and constantly reduce Kids constantly get gifts and lost interest frequently. You’ll need to go through them from time to time to see what should stay and what should go. It’ll keep tidy up time quick too.
- Don’t buy kids specific furniture You don’t really need a change table, crib or toddler bed. We used an existing table, a co-sleeper and a regular bed
- Make the most of vertical space Outfit your closets with stackable bins or shelvig that goes all the way up, to make the most of your storage.
- Don’t have a baby shower! People will buy you things you don’t need or want and you’ll feel like you need the space to keep it all. It’s much better to buy what you need yourself and what is right for your small space.
In order to be a great parent, you have to be happy. And I believe that it starts with how you chose to live your life. If you want a low-stress lifestyle, live small. We do it and so can you!