We moved into a smaller home recently—not exactly a tiny house, but certainly cozy. It’s a ranch-style layout with no basement, so everything is on one floor. Some days, it feels a bit like an apartment, but thankfully, we don’t have to deal with noisy upstairs neighbors cooking questionable meals. Our small space is home to my partner, our two kids, our two cats, and a dog.
Looking ahead, we hope to expand our family even more, which presents a unique challenge. I’ve given birth to some rather large children, so we’re looking at potentially six tall individuals, two cats, and a dog all sharing this snug abode. Thankfully, we have two bathrooms, which is a blessing. There are enough bedrooms that only the two kids we love the least have to share, but our communal spaces are limited to a kitchen and a small living room. This means we’re either spending time together or, well, still kind of together. There’s no real escaping one another in such a compact setting. And honestly, that’s something we cherish.
Downsizing has forced us to declutter our lives significantly—our furniture, books, toys, kitchen gadgets, and even clothes have all faced the chopping block more than once. No matter how much we let go, it seems there’s always more to purge. In a small house, excess really stands out; otherwise, you risk creating a chaotic environment. You don’t want to find your cat hiding in a cabinet behind the rice cooker, after all. So, we keep only what we need and what brings us joy. This journey of reducing our belongings has helped us discover what truly matters.
Living in a smaller space has made parenting immensely easier. In our previous multi-story house, I found myself limited in my ability to oversee my kids. I could either stay on the same floor as them (usually the one filled with toys) or run up and down stairs trying to keep the peace. While it was great exercise, it was exhausting. Now, if I need to check on my kids, I can simply glance to my left. Our home is baby-proofed to the max, which gives me peace of mind as they play independently. I can focus on my tasks, confident that everyone is safe.
We’ve all grown more organized as a family. In a small house, leaving things out quickly turns the space into a mess. In our larger home, clutter would accumulate until it became overwhelming. Now, my kids put their toys away before bed, and I can tidy up the entire place in mere minutes. Cleaning the house, really cleaning it, can be done in an hour or two.
In contrast to our previous life, where maintaining a larger home consumed much of our time, living in this smaller space allows us to prioritize what truly matters. We spend more time enjoying family activities, exploring new experiences, and hosting friends. Plus, I’ve even managed to squeeze in some much-needed naps—something I certainly didn’t get in our bigger house. It turns out that was the real reason for our move.
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In summary, downsizing has not only simplified our living situation but also enriched our family life in ways we never expected. It’s a choice we’re grateful for every day.