Simplify and Downsize...You can do it too! - Page 10

[Mom2Wilmo]

I just wanted say that it has been so great to read everyone else's stories. You all are inspiring me to continue to declutter, destress, and focus on the things that matter to me.

[nathansmum]

Anyone else got sinusitus from stirring up all the dust in places that haven't seen the light of day in a long time?? I'm so blocked up after having rearranged our bedroom and sorting out our wardrobe this morning. I *think* that is the last place that needs doing...

[litlwons]

Originally Posted by Delight

Sometimes we have what I call "the community napkin". I just put one in the middle of the table and whoever needs it uses it This is only when it's only us (DH, DD, and me) eating.

We do this as well!

Kathleen

[sunshinegal]

Originally Posted by litlwons

We do this as well!

Kathleen

Us too. It's funny because we went to my mother's house once and my dd asked what those funny pieces of paper were that she gave us whenever we ate. I had to explain to her what disposable napkins were!! They were really blown away by the paper towels as well.

I think my biggest issue is making this small space look pretty. I am terrible with decorating to begin with, but we can't paint our apartment and everything is sort of organized chaos . We have homemade shelving everywhere and we are able to keep things organized that way. But it sure looks yuky. After this babe comes, I think I will start trying to make this place a little prettier.

By the way Delight- thanks for the reference to the Not so big house (I think it was on your blog). I am going to get those books out of the library and make that our winter project.




Stacey

[sapphire_chan]

Originally Posted by sunshinegal

By the way Delight- thanks for the reference to the Not so big house (I think it was on your blog). I am going to get those books out of the library and make that our winter project.

Stacey

Warning on that one, the pictures in those books are absolutely gorgeous, but they *are* architectural solutions and designs. Fabulous inspiration, but not exactly "how to" guides, especially if you aren't even able to paint.

[phatchristy]

Hey, beautiful pictures, very inspirational! I've lived everywhere from a 3500 sq foot home (growing up), to a 300 sq ft efficiency, to our current 1800 square foot home (no basements down here either). We luckily bought our home back before the big real estate boom in FL and since it has tripled in value. We do a 15 year mortgage because we want to get it paid off ASAP. We refinanaced it at the lowest time so that our mortage, insurance and taxes (when calculated monthly) is actually less than what it is to rent down here. I definitely applaud your efforts! I am all for living debt free...am excited for when our mortgage is gone LOL.

[sunshinegal]

Originally Posted by sapphire_chan

Warning on that one, the pictures in those books are absolutely gorgeous, but they *are* architectural solutions and designs. Fabulous inspiration, but not exactly "how to" guides, especially if you aren't even able to paint.

Thanks for the warning , but I meant it more for our next place. We are currently bursting at the seams and need more space (it's about 430 sf), but we don't want to over compensate now that we have learned to live without. I am thinking about 8 months down the line and maybe move to 800 to 1000 sf. We aren't sure "where" (as in what state even!) we want this to be, so that has slowed us down. We aren't tied to anything here (well we do like the homeschooling laws- or the lack there of) but my dh is working for himself so that's portable. We originally started out trying co-housing with friends and ended up here in this little space. Now that the shock is over, we need to have some idea of what we want to do next.

I need a new vision. Do you think these books will help?

Stacey

[LionTigerBear]

Downsizing!

Hi Delight and everyone!

WE ARE DOING THIS!

We found that our old apartment is giving DS1 lead poisoning, so that is our impetus to move when our lease is up in April. (We have the luxury of waiting out the lease because his levels are still low.)

Anyway, I need some tips pretty please:

1.) Delight, did you do a lead test on your older apartment before moving in, or did you just look for anapartment that was clean and freshly painted or what?

2.) Is it possible for us to move into a one-bedroom when we have two little ones? We all share one bed so extra bedrooms are not really necessary right now.

3.) Any other tips on looking for the perfect small (and affordable) space, and tips on radical simplification. We need to get rid of a lot more stuff before we can fit in a smaller apartment.

I wish I had a how-to manual with pictures! Preferably penned by Delight . . .

[thomlynn]

Hey, thanks for bringing this back, it's my favorite thread!!!

Delight is taking the week off, check out her blog, the link is in her siggy and she says why.

Good luck on your purge!!!!!

[LionTigerBear]

Thanks for the news, Lori! (And going computer-free for a week is another fabulous idea )

Well, anyone else have downsizing tips to share?

I am wondering if it is legal to move a family of four into a one-bedroom apartment? I am also afraid landlords might discriminate against us because they think it's weird or something-- we live in a fairly conservative, largely French-Catholic area.

Hmmm.

[thomlynn]

We are getting ready for a major garage sale at the end of Jan. so I'm going through our stuff and trying to best to get rid of as much as possible. When I need encouragement I come back here and read some more.

We don't really have a space issue, I'm just tired of the junk. We also got a great deal on our house so moving, even to a much smaller place, would cost us more than staying here. So I'm decluttering just b/c I think we have too much stuff. Sometimes I pretend we're moving when I have a strong emotional attachment to a thing and it really needs to go, then I'm convinced.

I also think about the seven things thread and thay helps. I'll post a link.

Sometimes I just look at all we have and think how can we have all this stuff but hardly pay our bills, something has got to change.

I'm currently looking at the kitchen and thinking why do I NEED eight coffee cups when we hardly ever use more than four at a time. Four is enough. Same with towels. Same with bakeware, sheet sets, glasses, clothes everything. I love the part in Delight's blog about what would Jesus say if He looked in my closet, I have soooo much and others have none. I just apply that to whatever area I'm decluttering.

You have to find what fits best for your family. Everyone is different. I'll be back with the link for the seven things, good luck on your declutter!!!

[thomlynn]

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=309535

[mightymoo]

I can just imagine the disparaging remarks that my mom would make if we moved to a 500 sq foot apartment. She already makes little comments on how she couldn't possibly live in such a small house about my house (1700 sq ft) - her house is over 4000 for just her and my dad.

Looking at those pictures though do inspire me to think I could stay in our current house for the long haul with some doable modifications.

[Sihaya]

I can't believe I didn't see this thread before! Thanks for bumping it back up, it is an amazing inspiration. I haven't had the time to read the whole thing, but I did read the OP's blog post and look at the pictures and I am in awe! DH and I have been lusting after a tiny house (we like the pople) for about six months since I first heard about them in some thread on MDC. The few people we have dared to tell about our dream think we are completely nuts, but this thread gives me hope and reassures me that it isn't impossible, or even a silly thing to want.

We're in a ~1000sqft 2br apt right now, just the two of us, and it is just too big. We really only live in the living room and kitchen and use the other two rooms as storage. I am working on decluttering and one of my goals is to inventory every item we own, then get rid of a lot of it. But it's kind of difficult to get rid of things when there's all this free space to put them in.

Well, I think I'll get back to reading this thread from the beginning.

[LionTigerBear]

Oooh, I love the tiny houses! I've never seen them before. I like the bungalow version. Again, is it legal to live in a one-bedroom house with two (or more) kids???

[oldcrunchymom]

Originally Posted by Caitlin320

Again, is it legal to live in a one-bedroom house with two (or more) kids???

Yes, it is legal. You might be thinking of foster care or subsidized rent situations, which do require a separate bedroom for each kid (especially opposite sex kids). And some landlords are weird about renting to families where the kids share bedrooms, but it's not a legal issue as far as I know.

[UnskulinMama]

I just want to thank whoever bumped this thread... What a beautiful apartment! I've been meaning to do a good bit of decluttering myself but have been putting it off... This was exactly the inspiration I needed!

I worked on the kitchen a bit this morning... It's amazing how much STUFF accumulates there, even though I thought I purged before we moved this summer. (Do I really NEED a whole drawerful of tupperware? I swear the things reproduce in the dark...) Oh and I realized DS had 4-5 plates, bowls and cups with various characters on them (that people had given him as gifts... a spiderman set one year, shrek the next, etc). The only time he ever uses all of them is if I'm REALLY lazy about doing hte dishes, so that's a good reason right there to pass them on! Anyway, I asked DS if he wouldn't mind picking two of each to keep... He misunderstood me and picked two TOTAL (spiderman plate and bowl), but I figured there was no reason to correct him

Funny thing was... I thought he was going to have a hard time picking out what to keep, but he showed very little attachment to them. Guess it's just ME that has the problem (Actually I'm not THAT bad, but I have a hard time getting rid of things that were well thought-out gifts, even if I rarely ever use them...)

[eldadeedlit]

omg how nice!!! i love it! very inspiring!

our house is 1600 sqft and people say it is so small. i'm like ack it's not small! our living room is huge.

[Learnintolaugh]

I am feeling so impressed and inspired right now. I live in a house that is maybe 1600-1700 sq feet and I've realized lately that we really don't need anything bigger, but I still struggle w/ organizing the clutter and looking at the pictures has given me some fantastic ideas. I am so inspired now, and hoping to really start loving the space I am in very soon.

[MamasBoys]

Our downsizing adventure begins 12/30!

Hi everyone!

On December 30th, we'll be moving into a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home that is 1100 square feet. 1100 doesn't seem so small, but we are a family of 5 with three little hyperactive boys! Also, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bath crammed into a tiny living space, it makes for very, very small rooms. The challenge? We had to rent a 26 foot truck to fit all of our material posessions in one load!!! Obviously, it's not all going to fit. I love Delight's pictures, blog, and inspiration. I also hope to start a photo collection from start to near-finish in our downsizing adventure. For now, here's a photo of our new home:

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e1...akley-half.jpg

My first challenge: No garage and no outdoor storage area. We have camping/hiking supplies, lawnmower, gardening tools including fertilizers and the like, gasoline/oil, etc. We have been keeping a watchful eye on Freecycle and Craig's list for an outdoor shed. Can you think of any other options? What could I live without?