how to live in a small space.. - Page 3

[anjelika]

My 800 sf rancher and I are subbing for ideas!

[UUMom]

Originally Posted by anjelika

My 800 sf rancher and I are subbing for ideas!

My best is advice is to not sweat the small stuff.

[anjelika]

Originally Posted by mamasee

Yes, one of the challenges of small spaces is where do the guests go? I have been thinking about getting a high-quality air mattress. Any thoughts or suggestions on that idea?

A good air mattress is a great idea! This is exactly what we do for guests...they actually like it better than the futon we used to have.

[slsurface]

Originally Posted by anjelika

A good air mattress is a great idea! This is exactly what we do for guests...they actually like it better than the futon we used to have.

DH and I actually had an air mattress for a while. It never got used so I sold it in a yard sale. I hated sleeping on it - I felt like I was adrift at sea . But my mom has one that she brings when she comes to visit (and knows that the futon will be used by someone else). I just looked up futon matresses at IKEA. I think I'll get this: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/40071241, before our Christmas party to put on the futon in this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/archymo...7607150273471/, photo. Right now I just have a folded up comforter on it so that we can sit on the futon to watch online shows on my DH's computer or read books with DS.

[katheek77]

We live in an 800sq ft, 2 bedroom. We are me, DH (military, so tons of stuff that goes along with that), 2.5 year old DD, and one dog.

I HUNT down extra stuff to purge. I think of new ways to use space, without feeling cramped. I condense as much as possible. Examples: I got rid of all our DVD cases, and just put the DVDs in one of those notebook-like DVD holders. That saved a ton of space, and nothing was lost (unless you have some odd attachment to your cases). I put all our book cases (well, except one in our bedroom) on the far dining room wall. It looks so much neater. All of our clothing is in one closet + one dresser, with vertical organizers and dressers in the closet. We pulled our bed out about a foot, and store DD's crib/toddler bed disassembled behind there, along with extra pillows, blankets, Halloween costumes, etc., and no one knows it's there unless you physically walk over and look behind the headboard. We cosleep (for now), so the second bedroom is a playroom and storage, and, since our kitchen is TINY, I use the second bedroom closet as our pantry (I stockpile food/supplies, and can/dry foods, so, we have a lot that needs to go somewhere, esp. in the fall/winter). Traditional? No, but it works.

I instituted a one-in, one-out rule. If DD receives a new toy, I get rid of an old one (when she's older, she'll get to help choose). If I buy new socks, I make sure to get rid of two hopelessly mismatched socks.

TBH, I need to do a good purge soon. DD has outgrown a lot of gear (baby carrier, strollers, etc), and with Christmas coming, older toys will need to go as well (someone on freecycle will be happy). Regular purges/recycling, and trying to think of new ways to make the space more efficient are key.

[abharrington]

hmm...i dont' feel like our home is a small space, but we are a family of 4 in 800 sq ft. we have 3 small bedrooms. 1 is office/guest room, 1 is master where we cosleep with ds and the other is the nursery...dd sleeps here and we keep all the kids clothes. our family room doubles as the playroom, bc dd loves to be out where we are. we have bookcases that hold toys, books, diapers, paperwork, craft supplies and more.

i agree to get rid of as much as you can. it makes your home much more enjoyable and comforatble.

[paakbaak]

i`m not sure i`m getting my conversions right. do 80 sq.meters equal 860sq.feet?
our apartment has 3 small bedrooms though, my son`s is very very small: closet, bed and a little table. play area is inthe livingroom.

my grandma lived in a small apartment, and her brother made her a "cieling library", he put a wood very close to the ceiling. it went around the whole apartment! books were under categories, and she ust grabbed her ladder and got a book down when she wanted one. i loved it

get rid of stuff. no need for stuff, no need for memorie boxes, you have your memories in your head. and the things that are with you are theimportant things: partner, children, pets. very little stuff!

[PatienceAndLove]

I was just thinking about my apartment...
I am thinking that I can make much better use of my space if I line the long wall in the dining room with bookshelves- like the lack ones from Ikea. Cause I already know that large baskets would fit on the shelves. So the bottom shelves and baskets would keep track of loose stuff, and the top shelves could be used for books, but also to extend my cabinet space in the kitchen. I feel so smart!!!!

Not to mention the fact that I could like the top with plants (because of the way the dining room, they would have to fake, but still) and get some color into the apartment!

w00t!