Downsizing living quarters

[Claire Monet]

I'm moving and losing a fair amount of square footage. After living in the same space for 5+ years I've accumulated a lot of STUFF. I've been purging and trying to pack modestly but am looking for some tips on how to maximize use of space. I have quite a few shelves, so that will help with vertical storage of books etc... Are adult bunk beds a thing?

 

[westwoody]

Bunk beds are great.

IKEA has kid's beds that are a bunk bed up top with a desk and bookcase below. I'd never leave my room if I had that.

They also have regular adult bed with drawers in the base. You could store lots in one of them. And they have a bed that lifts up, you could put Rubbermaid bins underneath.

I am thinking long term of getting rid of my house...which is full of stuff...and getting a two bedroom condo. Put stuff on EBay every day.

 

[UhOh]

The more space you have the more unnecessary stuff you collect. I've moved a few times and notice I tend to collect a lot of stuff that eventually gets thrown out when I move. It would be a lot more efficient to just throw it out long before I move or never buy it in the first place.

 

[FreeG]

If you're handy, you can build a loft for a simple bed-frame (4x4 posts, 2x4 braces, gussets, and cross-beams to attach shelving underneath). Haven't seen or used one since college, but they were great then! And keeps you limber & spry getting in & out of bed every night/morning Only downside is if you ever hurt your back or leg, you might end up on the floor/couch. Or if you get TOO tipsy, best NOT to attempt a climb into bed...

 

[vanperb]

The only way to live is to think about what happens when you die: https://www.forbes.com/sites/learnv...-through-swedish-death-cleaning/#278fe5262a8b

 

[FreeG]

^ That's one good strategy. Reminds me of some other tips:

1. If something doesn't bring you joy, consider getting rid of it.

2. If you haven't used something in a year, consider getting rid of it (I should follow this rule more often - if I haven't used something in about a MONTH, I can have trouble finding it again!)

 

[g eazy]

the marie kondo stuff is a bit weird and seemingly over the top, but the principles are correct. if you even have to think for a split second about something, just throw it out.

there are loft/bunk bed/desk/closet combos but there are few selections available in the lower mainland so i'm not sure if there's a good recommendation. if you do find one that makes good use of space in an efficient way it can really be a home run

 

[johnsmit]

Who much space are you lossing.

There is allway renting storage for a few month or a yr.
How ever long it takes you to either fund a place for the stuff or sell and get rid of.

 

[johnnydepth]

The more space you have the more unnecessary stuff you collect. I've moved a few times and notice I tend to collect a lot of stuff that eventually gets thrown out when I move. It would be a lot more efficient to just throw it out long before I move or never buy it in the first place.

Yes. I find living in smaller spaces more comfortable in the long run because you can purge yourself of unnecessary things. If you haven't used it in months (or forgot you had it) you probably don't need it. Sell it, give it away, recycle, or throw it out.

 

[Claire Monet]

All good tips, thanks!! So true that the more space you have the more stuff you accumulate. I don't need 3 sets of cutlery and some of the single use kitchen gadgets I have like a garlic press and a deviled egg platter lol.... and why do I have 5 phone chargers?!

I'm losing 225 sq ft. It's a laneway house, 2 bedrooms with 1.5 bathrooms and an attached garage which I'll use for storage. Basically I will get the movers to put all the boxes into the garage and do another purge while unpacking and have a better idea of what will fit and what I need. I've already donated a bunch and thrown away a lot of junk.

I'm thinking a murphy bed might be a good option. I have a queen bed with overlaps on the sides and two matching side tables which definitely won't fit, maybe one will.

This will be a huge adjustment but I'm digging the minimalist living.

This is a pretty cool clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwMZMYf3NX0

Looking around there are some "modular" furniture stores in Vancouver... does anyone have tips on specific stores to check out?

 

[Vpete]

I have used Expand furniture for some very cool space saving options. There are a few Murphy bed places in a Vancouver but the ones I see tend to be for multi use spaces and maybe not practical as a bedroom space if you have one Claire. One thing to consider as you re-establish your space is set it up with what you need and then see wha/ left over. It’s amazing what you can life without once you learn to be efficient so that’s probably the first thing to learn to do. As for clothes and shoes, that’s a whole other issues. Also watch Tiny House Hunters for cool ideas on space.

 

[VanessainVictoria]

Get everything you don't need together and donate it to Immigrant Services Society of BC

 

[Missy Mariposa]

Lazy Susans. Their footprint vs the amount they can hold is incredible. I use them for everything, I think I've got at least 6. I have one at work at the Ranch too. I put a dozen men's toiletries on it and put it next to the shower. That way you can go home smelling like you did when you left

 

[badbadboy]

All good tips, thanks!! So true that the more space you have the more stuff you accumulate. I don't need 3 sets of cutlery and some of the single use kitchen gadgets I have like a garlic press and a deviled egg platter lol.... and why do I have 5 phone chargers?!

I'm losing 225 sq ft. It's a laneway house, 2 bedrooms with 1.5 bathrooms and an attached garage which I'll use for storage. Basically I will get the movers to put all the boxes into the garage and do another purge while unpacking and have a better idea of what will fit and what I need. I've already donated a bunch and thrown away a lot of junk.

I'm thinking a murphy bed might be a good option. I have a queen bed with overlaps on the sides and two matching side tables which definitely won't fit, maybe one will.

This will be a huge adjustment but I'm digging the minimalist living.

This is a pretty cool clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwMZMYf3NX0

Looking around there are some "modular" furniture stores in Vancouver... does anyone have tips on specific stores to check out?

Moving into a laneway house, Nice!

I enjoyed viewing that clip of ingenious modular furniture.

Since I saw the Tiny Houses at the Vancouver Home show, I have been fascinated with more efficient use of space when downsizing to less than 400 sq ft.

Lots of youtubes about tiny homes from BC, Western USA, Australia and New Zealand are online. Each segment I have viewed had some cool ideas about storage which I think we all know is a premium when you go from a larger home to a smaller space.

A few of the episodes are promoting the Murphy Bed. One idea was to have a flat screen TV on the other side of the Murphy bed. Now that's great use of space and quite practical too.

This is an example of a Tiny House made in the Bay area that I think is pretty cool.

http://www.mytinyhomecompany.com/the-bay.html

This home is made by Tiny House Canada in Nelson BC. They have a whole series of the tiny homes they make and the innovative ideas about storage solutions.

 

[Stella Swells]

Thanks for that Forbes link. Although a little dark, dovetailed with KonMarie, they could be very effective!

 

[johnsmit]

I have down sized a few times in life
Lives at home for must of 50 yrs and had my own 800 sg ft on your floor for 25 yr .And a basement and double side garage. Not yo mention a yard to store what ever.
When the family sold we fill two 20yrd dumsters ,gave away stuff and i still carted my stuff off to a 8 by 20 storage garage which i kerp in some form or another for 8 yrs.and then down graded to a 10 by 8 locker for 2 yrs .
In the mean time I moved into a 1100 as ft 2 nd room apt with new furniture .So more stuff.and later had to move to a one bed room and den that was 750 sq ft.
But then I could not pay the rent got evicted and ended up selling or giving away most of the furniture. Sold off or dumped a lot off the stuff I had in storage and moved rest in to a shared 8 by 10 with my sister.

My living accomdation down sized to my 2012 crew with a few things in plastic containers in truck box.. a few times a hot to house sit an apt for a friend for a month.
And was given a bed to sleep in at night by another. But basicly I lived from my truck for lost of 20 month.

When it finally got repossessed I was in a lower bunk at the hostel for 4months ,house sat for 2 months and eventually was able to afford a small bachelor suit .
My new home for the last 2 and half yrs is about 200 sg ft
With a small kit ,no stove, my own bath room and shared laundry.
Room enough for a queen bed,some cabinets,TV and and put a few containers in .
Andi still have a 4 by 8 storage .
This Is down sizing lol

 

[Lady Companion]

Downsizing is challenging, but it is extremely liberating to rid yourself of items that are really just clutter. I think a lot of us grew up with a fear of not having enough, or somehow running out of what we need, and that translates into a need to hoard.

However,everything in your space is energy, and affects your personal energy. It makes a lot of sense from a personal happiness standpoint to get rid of anything you don't either love or actually require. Having less also simplifies your ability to clean, find things and make decisions.

I personally love a very clear and open concept way of living, so I keep any bits and pieces I actually need tucked away. My method was to buy 2 entertainment units from Ikea with front doors that I love. Each cupboard hold 6 rather large boxes (you can get them at London Drugs with lids for $4-$10 each). I have six cupboards total, and there is no way I can use up all that storage space.

Label the boxes and shut the cupboards. Boxes can contain anything you don't want laying around. Extra place setting for when company comes, candles and supplies for work, vitamins and suppliments, Cards, letters and personal items you don't use every day, but have sentimental value, pet toys that are in rotation, spare parts like lightbulbs, batteries, tape, stamps etc.

This organizes any clutter, so that even when you open the cupboards, all you see is 6 tidy, colorful boxes. Push the unit against a wall, and minimal space is used. The top of the unit can be used to display photos, flowers, keep your keys etc.

I've also used the same concept in really small places to store items, but then put mirror on the outside to reflect light and make the palace look bigger, while using the top of the unit as a kitchen island for food prep and a table to eat on.

 

[80watts]

IKEA:
Check out the kitchen, bedroom and laundry rooms.
Check the furniture.
Look for storage capacity.

From the videos: Liked the Murphy bed and the adjustable plastic cubes. The expanding tables were neat. The round expanding table not so much for me, I like the idea, but too impractical in a very small space.

I think what everyone needs is a organization theme, where they can store everyday things like cleaners, towels, which is quick to get at and use.

And there should be some deeper storage as it the back of closets etc. or hidden in benches.

Another thing would be to go to a RV seller and look at the storage use they have. Storage in benches around kitchen table (which collapses into a bed) etc. Overhead cabinets. small stove, fridge.

Also check out boat shows. Cabin cruisers have 2 or 3 sleeping areas with lots of storage. Check out the shower/bath facilities... they can be incorporated into your home.

 

[Claire Monet]

Thanks, everyone.

Angela, I fully agree about the energy of pieces in one's home correlating into personal happiness and/or unhappiness. Even though I purged so much while packing, I'm still getting rid of things as I unpack. A little trinket from a vacation with an ex, for example, doesn't serve me now. Some of them I cherish, some I know need to go.

My main issues are that having gotten rid of my dining room table (not enough space) I've been eating tv dinner-tray style on the couch which isn't ideal. I need either a small table that can fold up and be stowed away in the furnace/crawl space, or a table that can be folded down from the wall and put back up when not in use. Any ideas, people?

Also my bedroom is literally that: a room with a bed. I have one side table and a vertical shelf on the other side of the bed, but no room for my lovely armoire which is sitting sadly in my garage I've been using baskets to store my clothes in my closet (I've rolled up shirts and pjs) and have space to hang pants and sweaters, but it's kind of a pain to dig through the baskets to find what I want.

80watts: that's a great idea to check out RVs. They can certainly pack a lot into small spaces!

 

[cr_tallguy]

Try the IKEA Norden table... I think it's what you're looking for: https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/70290223/

It comes in white and birch... AND it's on sale until Easter Monday... just saying...