Would you live in a 750 sq ft house with 4+ people???? **Update post #26** - Page 2

[Bethla]

It sounds like the place has potential. We live in a small space too and don't plan on moving...we can expand which is much cheaper than moving, plus we like our neighborhood. I would love the acreage. One thing that helped us is we bought a 10'x12' storage shed that looks like a tall barn. Dh built a little loft in it and that's where we store camping gear, holiday stuff. Down below is the kids clubhouse, they have books and toys and can hang out in there.

[simple living mama]

I would. I might buy a yurt through just to have one more room to use to keep me sane. If you think about Mongolian people living only in a yurt or native people living in their small dwellings, your place might look like a castle to them. I think the acreage is important for growing food and you can always build on.

[PaulaJoAnne]

SIL and BIL are living in a 600 sqf house out of nessecity right now. They have 5 kids and homeschool.
Been living there for a couple of years now, but hope to out of there by this fallif all goes according to plan with the new home/property.
They built bedrooms in the shop, just so they could survive.

All in all, its a BAD idea! Think about rainy and cold days for a few minutes. Yes, it is your family and you love them dearly, but you will find yourself finding reasons to "go to town" every day, just to get out of the confinment.

DH and I actually rented the little house from them for the first 6 months of our marriage, and we were going insane with just the two of us.

[mommaof5]

I think i would do it but only if you have the money to make the space work for you. I would go to IKEA, I am always amazed what they do with their small spaces. If you don't have money to organize and build shelves and do whatever it takes to make the small space work, then I wouldn't do it. I would love the challenge to make the small space work. We lived in a 800 square foot house with 3 of us and so much space was wasted. If I was to do it over I think we could have had more kids there for sure! Good luck, the outside sounds awesome too!

Do you have pics? I am sure everyone would love to see them and give you ideas!

[farmkids42morrow]

It's not as bad as you think. We live in 480 sq. ft. and have 4 children (12, 8, 5, & 2). We homeschool too so we are here all the time. We do have a huge yard for the kids to romp in though. We live in a very cold climate, but it still works for us. We planned ahead several years for our tiny house move, it wasn't a spur of the moment thing.

If you are committed to this, it can really be the best thing for your family. We took it in steps. We downsized from a 3 bedroom 2 bath home to a 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment, then a few years and many, many trips to goodwill to give away stuff that we wouldn't need in our simplified living arrangements, we moved to where we are now. For us it's great because we don't waste money on unnecessary stuff because we honestly have no where to put anything that isn't being used on a regular basis. It teaches the kids to think critically when they want to buy something new - is this going to be enough fun, and am I going to play with it enough to make it worth the space it will take up.

Do you get along well with your husband and children? This is the key factor to living in a tiny house. If you are the type that "needs your space", no way is this going to work. If you and hubby tend to argue a lot, there isn't really going to be anywhere to go to get away. Being honest with yourself about these issues is a must.

We've been living in our home for 3 years and it's still working great for us. If you are determined to live simply, you can do it.

[sarah_bella1050]

I love how MDC can have 2 totally different sides, perfect for questions like this. So, we debated the pro's and con's, the in's and the outs and we measured, measured, measured! So, last week we put in an offer and yesterday we signed the counter! We may be in escrow some time today :.

On our reinspection/measuring trip we realized a few thing, there IS room for a small crib in our room, and there is unfinished attic space! We think we may just go ahead and finish it and make it into a playroom for the girls!

So now I need something else from you guys, inspiration! Does anyone have any great links for small house living? I especially love picks of peoples own houses, they have such real usable information. So far we plan to put in some built in book cases, bunkbeds, and simplify, but other then that we are pretty stumped.

[operamommy]

Congrats! I think the new place sounds great.

[OkiMom]

It would depend on the personalities of those involved. Im very much an introvert, I need space. I also get panic attacks if I get to crowded and can't get away. So, for me NO I wouldn't, even for a few years. It would really negitively effect my mental health.
However, for people who don't need space to themselves and who don't mind being crowded Id say go for it. Especially for the chance to own your own home.

[OkiMom]

Originally Posted by sarah_bella1050

I love how MDC can have 2 totally different sides, perfect for questions like this. So, we debated the pro's and con's, the in's and the outs and we measured, measured, measured! So, last week we put in an offer and yesterday we signed the counter! We may be in escrow some time today :.

On our reinspection/measuring trip we realized a few thing, there IS room for a small crib in our room, and there is unfinished attic space! We think we may just go ahead and finish it and make it into a playroom for the girls!

So now I need something else from you guys, inspiration! Does anyone have any great links for small house living? I especially love picks of peoples own houses, they have such real usable information. So far we plan to put in some built in book cases, bunkbeds, and simplify, but other then that we are pretty stumped.

Oops, Just read this.. Congrats!!

I don't have any links for small house living (we have a 1000 ft, 3 room apartment, I don't consider it small). However when I was in California we had a small one bedroom apartment and I learned a couple of things. First, make sure to use all the vertical space you have. Shelves, storage units etc that you can use the wall space. Also, use your closets well.

[celestialdreamer]

Congrats! I am pregnant with baby #4 and I would totally consider living in a very small house if it was the right floorplan and right property. Go to IKEA and look at their showrooms for small spaces, lots of awesome ideas!

[farmkids42morrow]

Ikea is great, and look up online suppliers for RV items. Great space saving ideas & multi-funtion items as well. Try to use your imagination and don't start with a preconceived idea of how a home "should" look and work. Doing things unconventionally is usually a must in a small home situation. Biggest help though is going to be getting rid of unnecessary stuff, and re-examining what you feel is necessary right now. Take a look at (literally) every item you pack and ask if it is worth the space it is going to take up. Trust me - most of the stuff won't make the cut. Then you're off to your new home with much less to find a space for.

Congrats on the new house! :

[Shakti77]

This book was recommended in the other thread. check it out.

Little house on a small planet : simple homes, cozy retreats, and energy
efficient possibilities / by Shay Salomon

[MPsSweetie]

Wen live in an 860sqft house, 3bed/2 bath, but pretty small living kitchen. We have about an acre also. We love it, but could still do some organizing. And we may even have a couple more kids!

I love small houses!

[mamakay]

Originally Posted by sarah_bella1050

I love how MDC can have 2 totally different sides, perfect for questions like this. So, we debated the pro's and con's, the in's and the outs and we measured, measured, measured! So, last week we put in an offer and yesterday we signed the counter! We may be in escrow some time today :.

On our reinspection/measuring trip we realized a few thing, there IS room for a small crib in our room, and there is unfinished attic space! We think we may just go ahead and finish it and make it into a playroom for the girls!

So now I need something else from you guys, inspiration! Does anyone have any great links for small house living? I especially love picks of peoples own houses, they have such real usable information. So far we plan to put in some built in book cases, bunkbeds, and simplify, but other then that we are pretty stumped.

We have 4 people in 600 sf.
My biggest help has been radically minimalizing the kitchen stuff, so kitchen cabinets and space can serve multiple functions. Have only a few plates, bowls, cups, etc for each person. Get rid of unneeded skillets and pots etc. Then you can use your cabinets for other purposes.
Think often about how to rearrange to better use your spaces. You might have to re-organize several times before you come up with space solutions that really work.

[~Journey~]

Originally Posted by mamakay

We have 4 people in 600 sf.
My biggest help has been radically minimalizing the kitchen stuff, so kitchen cabinets and space can serve multiple functions. Have only a few plates, bowls, cups, etc for each person. Get rid of unneeded skillets and pots etc. Then you can use your cabinets for other purposes.
Think often about how to rearrange to better use your spaces. You might have to re-organize several times before you come up with space solutions that really work.

I agree! It took me over 3 years to come up with something that really works for me

[~Journey~]

Originally Posted by sarah_bella1050

I love how MDC can have 2 totally different sides, perfect for questions like this. So, we debated the pro's and con's, the in's and the outs and we measured, measured, measured! So, last week we put in an offer and yesterday we signed the counter! We may be in escrow some time today :.

On our reinspection/measuring trip we realized a few thing, there IS room for a small crib in our room, and there is unfinished attic space! We think we may just go ahead and finish it and make it into a playroom for the girls!

So now I need something else from you guys, inspiration! Does anyone have any great links for small house living? I especially love picks of peoples own houses, they have such real usable information. So far we plan to put in some built in book cases, bunkbeds, and simplify, but other then that we are pretty stumped.

Congratulations!

I would even go for something that small to get out of this place... The apartment ist nice, but the neighbors suck

Check out IKEA. They have sooo many ideas for saving space in every room it's just crazy!

[twogreencars]

We lived in a 650 sq foot house in England with 2 kids, one dog and one cat. I hated it. It was soooooooooooo small. I think one of the reasons I didn't like it was b/c it was always raining and we were stuck inside all the time. Also- we didn't have an acre to play on.

Sounds like your house and land has real potential, though! Good luck and have fun!

[Chicky2]

Congrats on your new house!

My dh and I have a 2700 sq ft 4 bedroom, 2 full bath, 2 half bath home on 5 acres. We have 4 kids and sometimes feel cramped. I love the *idea* of a small house, but I am simply not organized enough, lol. I need to get rid of half of our belongings as it is and this thread just inspired me!

We have a MIL house next to ours, and it is 900 sq ft for one person. Totally open floor plan w/one room that is separate (bathroom/laundry room/closet). She is in a nursing home recovering from a fall right now. My dh and I were over there rearranging the furniture yesterday and I was telling him about some of these tiny house threads on MDC. He couldn't believe it. Now I have to tell him about the family who lives in a 480 sq ft home w/5 kids!

I would love to have the utility bills some of you living in tiny houses must have! Ours are ridiculous, esp. in the summer.

OP, enjoy your new space and have fun organizing and simplifying!

[HappyLittleHouse]

Congratulations!!

Check out Delight's flickr sets for small house inspiration:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/happyja...7600025082938/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/happyja...7594536779330/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/happyja...7613177282341/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/happyja...7594309114341/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/happyja...7594449182329/

And definitely check out IKEA! There is one in W. Sac, one in Emeryville, and one in E. Palo Alto, so depending on where in N. CA you are, one is not too far off!

[Just1More]

Yeah, you!

We're planning to build a tiny house in a few years, and we're planning more babies. So, we'll easily have 5 or 6 kids in a little house.

I agree that it's all in the storage, and the simplifying. In the house we plan to build, we won't have any living room furniture. We'll have large windows with window seats, and all around the main room will be shelves and cabinets. Somehow (still thinking it through, dh is woodworker so we have options), the cabinets will mostly look like regular walls, so we can still hang pictures, etc and it won't feel like we're in a workroom all the time. The neat thing is that I can have a section for various projects, and no furniture blocking the cabinet that they are in. So, I can just open large doors and reveal my sewing table and shelves containing baskets of my sewing supplies. When I need to stop for the day, I don't have to put anything away. I just close the doors. Tada! The room stil looks clean! I have plenty of space to store everything because the whole room is that way. I don't know if that made sense, but I'm very excited about it!

Enjoy your new house!