The property, with its 3 bedrooms and large under-home cellar storage space, seemed an ample size for our needs.
But now, as a family of 5, we're really noticing how much we've outgrown this space and as the children get older and inevitably acquire more "stuff" - it's becoming more of an issue.
Unfortunately we're among the 66% of renters in the UK who find themselves stuck in the private rent trap, and so we're reluctant to gamble on a house move as we feel secure with our current landlords and wouldn't want to spend thousands of pounds to move only to find that a new landlord decides to sell up 6 months later.
So if you're also among that group, how do we make the space that we have work for us?!
I've spent some time lately researching various solutions to some of the problems that are small living space and larger family can create, and I thought I'd share them today.
Seating Solution - Bean Bags
One of our biggest issues is that our living room is quite small, and although I would love to buy a bigger sofa - there just isn't the space for one! This means that all 5 of us cannot sit on the sofa at once, which makes things like family movie nights quite tricky and also leads to lots of sibling squabbles.
One way to solve the seating problem that works really well for us is using oversized bean bags.
We discovered Big Bertha Original bean bags who have a huge selection of bean bags to suit every taste and need, with an array of styles fabrics and colours on offer.
I love the fact that we can buy things like the Highback bean bag chair which replicate an armchair but in a way that allows you to easily move it when not in use, so it doesn't drain the little floor space that we have available - it can simply be popped into the corner when we're not using it.
The bean bags are really comfortable and they really do solve the seating issue, as the kids are always keen to use them - they're also fantastic for when we have guests over too. Another huge selling point is that they cost a fraction of the price of new furniture, so they're a great option for those on a budget too.
I think they give a really fresh and funky look to any living space, and they currently have a fantastic winter sale and free shipping offer running!
With a 24 month quality guarantee, Big Bertha are a fantastic company to use for solving your seating problem.
Dining Space Savers
Seating a family of 5 at a dining table in a small home is not easy and I have often thought of getting rid of the dining table altogether but instead I think I'm going to opt for a folding table and bench option which will allow us all to sit at the table together during meal times but fold it away and place the benches alongside it when it's not in use - freeing up the space that a dining table would usually take up constantly!
Bunk Beds and Cabin Beds
As we share 3 bedrooms between 5 people, bunk beds have been the ideal solution for us - I've even considered the option of buying a 3-bed bunk too although as my children are getting older I don't think this will work for us anymore. They all want their own space!
We also use cabin beds and ottoman beds to ensure that the floor space taken up by a bed isn't wasted and can instead for be used for much-needed storage.
Nesting Tables & Storage Baskets
Nesting tables are an ideal solution as three tables need only take up the space of one, which is ideal for those trying to conserve space. We also use storage baskets for things like blankets and magazines, as these can easily be placed underneath shelves and in corners etc to use up available floor space.
Make Wall Space Work
Using as much of your available space as possible is key to making a smaller house work for you, and so utilising wall space is a must. We prefer to use wall shelving for storing books and toys, but another great option is to install hooks along wall space.
Use An Extendable Clothes Dryer
If you don't have the luxury of an outside space for drying clothes, then an extendable wall mounted clothes dryer is a great solution - it solves your drying problem without permanently imposing on your living space and it looks so much nicer than a plastic clothes dryer too.
Double Up Surface Space
And my final tip is to make sure that all available space is being used to its maximum. Our kitchen is by far our smallest space, and so rather than allow the hob area to go to waste - we use hob covers which provide an additional surface for storage and food prep whenever the hob isn't in use. They cost pennies but have been a life saver for us over the years!
Do you have any space saving tips for a smaller home to share? I'd love to hear your ideas!
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