Small space living people

[amberlyrose]

First, I'm freaking out. It looks like we're going to be moving from 800 sq ft to 450. 

I said for awhile that I'd be perfectly fine with it but now that it could be happening, I'm in sort of a panic mode. We've lived in 600 before, so this is doable, right? Any tips and tricks? Things that you thought you needed but tossed? 

The biggest issue is that in CO, I can't pack away summer or winter clothes because the weather changes so much around here. I'm working on getting together capsule wardrobes, but I'm still worried about fitting both of our capsules in one closet. 

Talk me down, give me some tips, tell me this is going to be okay. I'm starting to be okay with it because we'll also have a good sized patio for the dogs to lounge on warmer days.

[Deleted]

One thing that saved me is that I bought a bed from ikea that has large under the bed drawers. I only have 2 in because my bed is against the wall but it fits 4 and they are huge. That's where I keep a couple extra towels, sheets, jeans, etc. The more bulky things. So under bed storage is key.

Also i have aarge bookshelf that I have these colorful baskets in that are like drawers where I keep cleaning supplies, my large camera and other miscellaneous items. They bring color to the room and hide everything.

[rupertpenny]

I don't really have any tips besides just have less stuff and go out more, haha.

Anything I thought I needed but didn't really need? Pretty much everything. But I've also never had any hobbies that required a lot of stuff or needed to store athletic gear or anything.

Are you moving long distance? If so I'd get rid of all your furniture and buy new furniture in your new location. Don't buy anything without storage potential.

[amberlyrose]

Aug 4, 2015 13:22:04 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I don't really have any tips besides just have less stuff and go out more, haha.

Anything I thought I needed but didn't really need? Pretty much everything. But I've also never had any hobbies that required a lot of stuff or needed to store athletic gear or anything.

Are you moving long distance? If so I'd get rid of all your furniture and buy new furniture in your new location. Don't buy anything without storage potential.

No, same city but we're renting our condo mostly furnished, so we are going to either get a bed with storage potential or one that can be put on risers. 

I don't really have hobbies either except candle hoarding. We do plan on moving overseas at some point, so this is our way of downsizing and getting a good rental base in our condo before that big step.

[sequins]

Multipurpose everything.

Go out as much as possible.

[Jillaroo]

Make sure everything has storage potential, and don't be afraid to have more storage up higher. Using a stepstool to get more storage is worth it.

And weed out crap you don't need.

[rupertpenny]

Aug 4, 2015 13:26:10 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Aug 4, 2015 13:22:04 GMT -5 rupertpenny said:

I don't really have any tips besides just have less stuff and go out more, haha.

Anything I thought I needed but didn't really need? Pretty much everything. But I've also never had any hobbies that required a lot of stuff or needed to store athletic gear or anything.

Are you moving long distance? If so I'd get rid of all your furniture and buy new furniture in your new location. Don't buy anything without storage potential.

No, same city but we're renting our condo mostly furnished, so we are going to either get a bed with storage potential or one that can be put on risers. 

I don't really have hobbies either except candle hoarding. We do plan on moving overseas at some point, so this is our way of downsizing and getting a good rental base in our condo before that big step.

Yeah, definitely get a bed with storage. I also love my ikea sectional with storage in the chaise part. All of our extra linens are stored there.

[averyjessup]

My house is 450 sq ft. It's unpleasant some days, but that's largely because a) I am married to the messiest person on the planet and b) we've been doing work on it since moving in and living in a construction zone is going to be the end of me -- but in a tidy, finished house without the real life embodiment of Pigpen, it would be absolutely fine.

I don't have any advice beyond what's been given already (ditto underbed storage!) but I did want to chime in that it's def doable, don't panic

[alexis]

The thing we found most useful was having a Murphy bed that converted into a table. Having the bed up made getting ready in the morning much easier because we didn't have to squeeze past each other around the bed. It also allowed us to have a queen size bed and a large dresser in our bedroom. (The bottom drawers of the dresser couldn't open very far when the bed was down.) We used the table part of the bed as a desk during the day.

We also kept physical media to a minimum. No real books or DVDs. We did kindle books and streaming.

[namasteak]

When we lived in a studio these are the things that helped us the most:
-a bed with storage underneath AND behind the headboard (IKEA)
-don't get a dining table and use a coffee table where the top lifts to table height when you sit on the couch (west elm)
-L shaped with storage in the chaise part and a pull out bed (IKEA)
-leaning bookcases/tv stand along the wall will open things up (crate & barrel)
-a cabinet & shelves that went over the toilet (target)

I put the stores we purchased items from in parenthesis in case that helps you start looking for stuff

[Deleted]

Purge, purge, purge

I like the bed with drawers underneath idea

Apartment Therapy has good articles on this topic...

www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-they-do-small-in-sweden-big-ideas-from-a-little-loft-198870

[gault]

Will this apartment have a locked storage area?


I currently live in a 450 square foot apartment. Ditto pp's - bed with storage, nix a dining table if you can, storage in the ottoman/eating area, hang towels on an over-the-door rack, use wall space as much as possible, etc.

A patio will definitely help in making your space feel bigger.

[fuckyourcouch]

Wait, this isn't for your overseas move?? Where are you moving?

[Gato]

We moved from 1700 square feet to 1100-something for 4 people. It actually has been great. We have gotten rid of so much stuff that we thought would be useful at some point, but really was just cluttering our lives.

We've been able to fit 8 long wardrobe bins from Target under our bed. It is enough for all the linens, sheets and towels in the house, as well as some bathroom stuff. We didn't think we would be able to fit our whole wardrobes into a 5 foot long closet, but it turns out we can with some extra shelves installed on the bottom for sweaters and other winter stuff.

The people we bought our house from had one of those shoe holders that hang on the inside of a door that they used for way more than shoes - we stole that idea. We put every little thing in those: keys, sunglasses, sunblock, kids' stuff, scarves, jewelry, etc. That really keeps the clutter down.

[amberlyrose]

Aug 4, 2015 13:46:56 GMT -5 kooshball said:

Dang. I thought you wanted more space. Does this include your office for working from home?

I worked out a deal with the office manager to have an almost permanent spot in the office so I can go there

[amberlyrose]

Aug 4, 2015 13:51:43 GMT -5 mofongo said:

Oh boy, I lived in 600sq ft. when I was dating H. It was perfect for me, I am a minimalist as it is. It would have been very difficult for both of us to live there. Mainly for closet space, not just clothes, but general storage: vacuum cleaner, litter box, holiday decorations (I had very little) and stuff I really needed/used.

Is this your only size option?

There's one with 525 sq ft but no outdoor space

[amberlyrose]

Aug 4, 2015 14:24:00 GMT -5 fuckyourcouch said:

Wait, this isn't for your overseas move?? Where are you moving?

A few neighborhoods over. This is going to force us to purge, get a renter into the condo, and save up some cash. 

[rex]

purge, and when you think you have purged enough, purge again. you do not need to store extras of anything.

for clothes, i would try to do as multi-season as possible. think layers. ikea has bedframes witn drawers under, it's something to consider for bulkier clothes.

we lived in a studio when we were first married, and then moved to about 450sqft. we now live in 800sqft with a toddler. it's an adjustment but you can do it! i have been a minimalist basically my whole life so it's easy for me but my h has had to adjust. i think he's used to it now.

[bugandbibs]

I'm a fan of silicone collapsible everything- measuring cups, mixing bowls, strainers, etc.

We also have storage to the ceilings. Every piece of furniture has storage inside. I use the Ziploc vacuum space saving bags for linens, sleeping bags, etc. They make a huge difference.

[rex]

Aug 4, 2015 16:39:52 GMT -5 @stilljustash said:

Aug 4, 2015 15:15:49 GMT -5 rex said:

purge, and when you think you have purged enough, purge again. you do not need to store extras of anything.

for clothes, i would try to do as multi-season as possible. think layers. ikea has bedframes witn drawers under, it's something to consider for bulkier clothes.

we lived in a studio when we were first married, and then moved to about 450sqft. we now live in 800sqft with a toddler. it's an adjustment but you can do it! i have been a minimalist basically my whole life so it's easy for me but my h has had to adjust. i think he's used to it now.

i'm always jealous when you talk about your place. is it a 2br?

i love where we live! i wish we owned it so i could update/upgrade some things like the kitchen. it is 2br!

i could honestly live here for a very long time. 

[verycontrary247]

My house is around 900 sq/ft, but 300 of it is my roommates upstairs bedroom, so the remaining 600 is my bedroom, bathroom, living and dining room.

My first recommendation? Purge. I got rid of a bazillion books that took up a ton of shelf space, then transferred my entire candle hoard onto the bookcases that were almost empty (since I had less closet space).

Next, every space has the potential for storage. Utilize it! I have under-bed storage for shoes and winter clothes. My dining room has a cedar chest on one wall for seating where we store the lesser used appliances that there isn't space for in the tiny kitchen. My dad made a little pantry for the wasted space next to the fridge. In the living room we have storage ottomans. There are hooks on pretty much all the doors for hanging stuff. Don't waste space for stuff you don't love.

Good luck!

[amberlyrose]

Aug 4, 2015 18:07:39 GMT -5 @jezebel said:

It's a damn good thing you guys love each other so much.

When are you moving?

Next week. Lol

[winecat]

Aug 4, 2015 23:39:00 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Aug 4, 2015 18:07:39 GMT -5 @jezebel said:

It's a damn good thing you guys love each other so much.

When are you moving?

Next week. Lol

To the east, west, north or south?  Trying to guess your new hood.  I still have your plate and towels.  Maybe I can actually drop them off at your new digs.   

[amberlyrose]

Aug 4, 2015 23:40:54 GMT -5 winecat said:

Aug 4, 2015 23:39:00 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Next week. Lol

To the east, west, north or south?  Trying to guess your new hood.  I still have your plate and towels.  Maybe I can actually drop them off at your new digs.   

Uptown, I think. Checking the space out Thursday.

[winecat]

Aug 4, 2015 23:57:03 GMT -5 amberlyrose said:

Aug 4, 2015 23:40:54 GMT -5 winecat said:

To the east, west, north or south?  Trying to guess your new hood.  I still have your plate and towels.  Maybe I can actually drop them off at your new digs.   

Uptown, I think. Checking the space out Thursday.

Okay.  I'll definitely try to get your stuff to you asap.  Uptown might be more difficult.  

[iamali]

I know this is really random, but my SIL keeps extra blankets / sheets in between the mattress and box spring. Could be a space saver if you have a lot of those.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

[amberlyrose]

Aug 5, 2015 20:32:53 GMT -5 iamali said:

I know this is really random, but my SIL keeps extra blankets / sheets in between the mattress and box spring. Could be a space saver if you have a lot of those.

Sent from my SM-G900P using proboards

That's a pretty great idea!

[Deleted]

I'm going to take a cue from a friend and rec compression bags for clothes storage: not only great for traveling, but you could use them for long term, lesser-space storage.

Shelves and bins and any furniture that incorporates storage (in short, IKEA). Our IKEA bed lets me store about 1/3 of my clothes in the drawers beneath.

You're so smart to rent out right now, especially for your place.

[Muddled]

Vertical storage is key. Use your walls.