For big families, living in a small home may not be the most ideal situation but there are times when doing so becomes necessary. Downsizing can be overwhelming, especially if you’re so used to having so much space. If you’re in a situation where you need to fit a rather big family in a small house, though, don’t worry. We’ve rounded up some tips to help you and your family make the most out of your cozy home.
Tip #1 Design your home with an open floor plan
Got limited space to build your new home upon? Design your home with an open floor plan in mind to maximize every inch of your space. Not only will this make it easier for you to fit more stuff and accommodate more people in the house, it’ll also give your abode that nice, light, and airy feeling, too, which can be difficult to achieve when you’re trying to fit more than the ideal number of people in a small house.
Tip #2 Let people share spaces
It’s not ideal for everyone but, if you must, create spaces for the people in your home that can be shared between two or more family members. For example, you can stick the boys together in one bedroom and the girls in the other. If they’re still young enough for both boys and girls to be in one room, you can turn the extra room into a playroom-slash-learning room for your tiny tots instead. Got kids in school? Create a home office where they can do their homework and where you and your partner can get some work done at home. Shared spaces can help make a small house much more spacious for everyone that’s living in it.
Tip #3 Opt for multi-functional decor furniture
Why settle for a piece of furniture or decor that only does one thing when you can get one that does more? Murphy beds, trundle beds, daybeds or sofabeds, those lamps with storage space built right into their design, sectionals with hidden storage -- these are just examples of multifunctional pieces that would do really well in a small home occupied by a big family.
Tip #4 Don’t let the basement go to waste
If you have a basement that’s currently damp, dark, and only being used to store stuff that are broken, you need to get on revamping that space ASAP! When you have a big family living in a small home, every square inch counts. That basement is precious real estate and you’re letting it go to waste! Renovate the basement, finish it and furnish it and see just how much more spacious the main areas of your home will be after.
Tip #5 Make the most of outdoor spaces
Another space in your small home you should be maximizing when you have a big family is the outdoor space. Kids toys and plays tuff take up a lot of space. If you have a fenced-in yard, build them a tiny shed outside to play in and let them keep their toys there as well. It will free up tons of space in your home and it’ll allow your kids to be closer to nature, too! Got all grownups living in the house? There are plenty of other things you can put in an outdoor shed -- a man cave, an office, al fresco dining -- it’s up to you to decide which one will benefit your family the most.
Tip #6 Declutter then allocate a space for everything that’s left
House feeling a little too cramped these days? It might be a sign that it’s time to declutter. Go through all your stuff and see which ones can be donated or disposed of. You’ll be surprised at how much junk you’re harboring in your space without knowing it. Once you’re done decluttering, find a place and a space for everything else that’s left behind. The most ideal way to go about this is to have a place where you can stash them away and out of sight, like the garage or a shed, but if that’s not an option, you can also opt for lidded containers that can be stacked and kept neatly in one area of the home.
Living in a small house doesn’t have to be a horrible experience. Plan your space properly and don’t be afraid to get creative with decorating it to make it look bigger.