Our new home may not be a true tiny house, but it’s definitely on the smaller side. It’s a simple ranch-style dwelling with no basement, offering us a single-story layout. Some days, it feels reminiscent of an apartment—minus the noisy neighbors upstairs who whip up aromatic meals. Here, my partner, our two kids, two cats, and a dog share this cozy space.
As we contemplate expanding our family in the future, I can’t help but think about the dynamics of fitting potentially six tall individuals, two felines, and a dog into this snug environment. Thankfully, we have two bathrooms to alleviate some chaos! With enough bedrooms, only our two least-favored children will have to share. However, our communal areas are quite limited, featuring just a kitchen and a small living room—so togetherness is the name of the game.
This close quarters is something we truly cherish. Since moving into our smaller home last year, we’ve had to significantly downsize our belongings. Every category of “stuff”—from furniture and books to toys and kitchen gadgets—has undergone rigorous purging. Despite our best efforts, it often feels like we still have too much. In a small house, clutter can quickly become overwhelming, leading to moments where our cat might be discovered hiding behind the rice cooker!
We’ve learned to keep only what we truly need and love, focusing on items that evoke positive feelings. The process of decluttering has made it clear when something no longer fits our lives.
Living in our compact home has simplified parenting immensely—making it far easier than before. In our previous multi-story residence, my day-to-day activities were confined to one floor, usually the one filled with the kids’ toys. I was limited in my productivity and often found myself running up and down stairs, checking on the kids and mediating disputes. While it benefited my Fitbit, it didn’t do much for my sanity.
Now, in our smaller home, I can simply glance to the left to keep an eye on my children. The entire house is childproofed to provide peace of mind, allowing me to focus on my tasks while being confident that everyone is safe and sound. With matches stored securely out of reach, I can hear any mischief from a distance. This has fostered independence in my kids, who’ve learned to entertain themselves while I’ve honed my cooking skills beyond just microwaving meals.
Our family has also developed better habits regarding tidiness. In a smaller space, leaving things out creates an immediate mess. In our larger home, junk piles accumulated until cleaning became a daunting task. Now, my children take responsibility for their toys before bedtime, and I can tidy up in just a few minutes. A thorough cleaning session can be completed in one to two hours.
Managing a larger home previously consumed much of our time, but now, our smaller house allows us to prioritize what truly matters in life. We have more opportunities for family bonding, exploring new experiences, and hosting friends. Even naps—once a luxury—are now a manageable reality. That’s part of the reason we made this move.
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In summary, downsizing to a smaller home has not only streamlined our living space but has also enriched our family life in ways we never anticipated.
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