Comments on: We’re downsizing our home http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/ Daily tips on how to organize your home and office. Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:10:48 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Megan @ Disorder2Order http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9318 Megan @ Disorder2Order Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:12:42 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9318 Thanks for this post Matt. We are trying to sell our home and have been looking for a new one. With two small growing boys, I kept thinking we needed more space. The more I look, the more I have come to realize is that we really don't need a bigger home at all. It's amazing how our society keeps dictating the need for big giant homes... not for me! Thanks for sharing... best wishes on your transition! Thanks for this post Matt. We are trying to sell our home and have been looking for a new one. With two small growing boys, I kept thinking we needed more space. The more I look, the more I have come to realize is that we really don’t need a bigger home at all. It’s amazing how our society keeps dictating the need for big giant homes… not for me! Thanks for sharing… best wishes on your transition!

]]> By: praise_in_ohio http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9117 praise_in_ohio Thu, 13 Mar 2008 12:59:54 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9117 Contgratulations on this wise move. I did it myself in February. Cut my electric bill in half! I would encourage you with he bed situation to stick with the futons instead of the hide a beds they are much more comfortable,even a daybed with an extra mattress underneath if possible. I also slid a mattress under the twin bed in my grown son's room. I need to have places for my 8 grandbabies to lite when they come visit so tucking beds here and there was a necessary challenge to my creativity! Just keep on organizeing yourself and you can make what you need to fit and simplify, simplify, simplify... Contgratulations on this wise move. I did it myself in February. Cut my electric bill in half! I would encourage you with he bed situation to stick with the futons instead of the hide a beds they are much more comfortable,even a daybed with an extra mattress underneath if possible. I also slid a mattress under the twin bed in my grown son’s room. I need to have places for my 8 grandbabies to lite when they come visit so tucking beds here and there was a necessary challenge to my creativity! Just keep on organizeing yourself and you can make what you need to fit and simplify, simplify, simplify…

]]> By: jason http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9055 jason Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:02:39 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9055 Craigslist is awesome for big items that require local pick-up. Be careful though face-to-face transactions always bring a bit more of a safety risk than electronic/mail transactions. Craigslist is awesome for big items that require local pick-up. Be careful though face-to-face transactions always bring a bit more of a safety risk than electronic/mail transactions.

]]> By: partgypsy http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9046 partgypsy Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:58:48 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9046 Don't count out the sleeper sofa! There are some good one's out there, but you have to pay for them. We got one from Workbench and upgraded the mattress that came with it, and have had no complaints from even older folks. Granted, it cost $1200. On the other hand, stay away from Jennifer convertibles. Don’t count out the sleeper sofa! There are some good one’s out there, but you have to pay for them. We got one from Workbench and upgraded the mattress that came with it, and have had no complaints from even older folks. Granted, it cost $1200. On the other hand, stay away from Jennifer convertibles.

]]> By: Petar http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9029 Petar Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:30:40 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-9029 My wife and I also "traded up" recently, into a smaller apartment... but I say "traded up" because even though we moved into a smaller place that costs more than our last apartment, the location is much better... and that's made a HUGE (positive) difference on our quality of life! Bigger isn't always better (and it's harder to clean). :) My wife and I also “traded up” recently, into a smaller apartment… but I say “traded up” because even though we moved into a smaller place that costs more than our last apartment, the location is much better… and that’s made a HUGE (positive) difference on our quality of life!

Bigger isn’t always better (and it’s harder to clean). :)

]]> By: haslin hj http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8924 haslin hj Mon, 10 Mar 2008 09:21:55 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8924 @ Hayden Tompkins, yeah...i like the idea of that space saving bed, just wondering where to 'buy' or did you custom-made it?, i've never seen any (in my country) :( @ Hayden Tompkins, yeah…i like the idea of that space saving bed, just wondering where to ‘buy’ or did you custom-made it?, i’ve never seen any (in my country) :(

]]> By: Leigh-Anne http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8922 Leigh-Anne Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:59:28 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8922 I've found air mattresses to be terrible in my experience. I'm still a student so I go back home to work for ~4 months in the summer and air mattresses make so much noise and are way too soft. I spent 3/4 months last summer sleeping on the floor and got a much better sleep that way. I’ve found air mattresses to be terrible in my experience. I’m still a student so I go back home to work for ~4 months in the summer and air mattresses make so much noise and are way too soft. I spent 3/4 months last summer sleeping on the floor and got a much better sleep that way.

]]> By: BH http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8875 BH Sat, 08 Mar 2008 01:23:53 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8875 "The PERFECT Unclutterer item for guests who stay over is a double high, queen sized, kickass blow up bed!" I couldn't agree more. We had a rather persnickety elderly couple test ours several months ago, and it got rave reviews. Best thing about it? When the guests are gone, it goes into a hug-sized bag that we store in the garage, and we get to reclaim our spare room for yoga and such. “The PERFECT Unclutterer item for guests who stay over is a double high, queen sized, kickass blow up bed!”

I couldn’t agree more. We had a rather persnickety elderly couple test ours several months ago, and it got rave reviews. Best thing about it? When the guests are gone, it goes into a hug-sized bag that we store in the garage, and we get to reclaim our spare room for yoga and such.

]]> By: Meg http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8865 Meg Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:05:13 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8865 MB - no guilt! I think the important thing is to be considering these issues, grappling with them, and making the best decision for our families. That looks different for all of us! MB - no guilt! I think the important thing is to be considering these issues, grappling with them, and making the best decision for our families. That looks different for all of us!

]]> By: Andrew http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8842 Andrew Fri, 07 Mar 2008 17:43:49 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8842 RP, I'd suggest looking at what you wrote, particularly the line in which you say "...want some privacy and a yard." You don't have to buy a bigger home to have these things. Find a home of similar size to what you have now and just make sure you have a yard; privacy comes in many forms but a bigger home doesn't necessarily guarantee it. We just downsized our home by 33%, moving from a home of about 1800 to one of 1200 s.f.; it's just two of us and our dogs but we're now within walking distance of the business we own, and we have a bigger yard for the dogs. Though there are some challenges in doing this, we're very happy with what we now have! RP, I’d suggest looking at what you wrote, particularly the line in which you say “…want some privacy and a yard.” You don’t have to buy a bigger home to have these things. Find a home of similar size to what you have now and just make sure you have a yard; privacy comes in many forms but a bigger home doesn’t necessarily guarantee it.

We just downsized our home by 33%, moving from a home of about 1800 to one of 1200 s.f.; it’s just two of us and our dogs but we’re now within walking distance of the business we own, and we have a bigger yard for the dogs. Though there are some challenges in doing this, we’re very happy with what we now have!

]]> By: MB http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8824 MB Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:38:02 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8824 Meg... I truly applaud you for your living arrangement, and carry a little guilt that we are not doing the same. I am guessing you have younger children, I could be wrong. I have one young teenager and one close behind. I want their friends to want to be at our house which I know means not always being in the same room as mom and dad. Plus while I want the girls to be outside a lot, Indiana weather limits the amount of time that is spent outside comfortably during the winter. Could we have gone smaller? Yes! Should we have gone smaller? Maybe. Are we going large? By American standards, no. Meg… I truly applaud you for your living arrangement, and carry a little guilt that we are not doing the same. I am guessing you have younger children, I could be wrong. I have one young teenager and one close behind. I want their friends to want to be at our house which I know means not always being in the same room as mom and dad. Plus while I want the girls to be outside a lot, Indiana weather limits the amount of time that is spent outside comfortably during the winter. Could we have gone smaller? Yes! Should we have gone smaller? Maybe. Are we going large? By American standards, no.

]]> By: PJK http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8823 PJK Fri, 07 Mar 2008 05:52:34 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8823 "So, do we go to a 2400 sq ft little house, or a 3400 sq. ft. behemoth? Not sure, not sure…" Let's revisit the definition of "little," shall we? My house is 888 square feet. That could be considered little. A 2400 sq ft house? Not so much. Large, if you ask me. You could make a case for it being "medium sized," but little?????? Come on! “So, do we go to a 2400 sq ft little house, or a 3400 sq. ft. behemoth? Not sure, not sure…”

Let’s revisit the definition of “little,” shall we? My house is 888 square feet. That could be considered little. A 2400 sq ft house? Not so much. Large, if you ask me. You could make a case for it being “medium sized,” but little?????? Come on!

]]> By: Meg http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8821 Meg Fri, 07 Mar 2008 03:45:52 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8821 "The only thing holding us back from downsizing was wanting a space for the girls to have their friends over." My husband, 2 daughters and I live in a 1025 sq ft house, and I love it. We CAN'T buy things we don't need. But we really wanted our kids to have someplace to hang out with friends. . .so we've been saving up to buy a little playhouse for the backyard. We're getting one that's about 7x7 feet - enough that they can even sleep out there with a friend for a sleepover when it's warm enough. More sq footage w/o more house to heat/clean/fill up/etc. I'm so excited! “The only thing holding us back from downsizing was wanting a space for the girls to have their friends over.”

My husband, 2 daughters and I live in a 1025 sq ft house, and I love it. We CAN’T buy things we don’t need. But we really wanted our kids to have someplace to hang out with friends. . .so we’ve been saving up to buy a little playhouse for the backyard. We’re getting one that’s about 7×7 feet - enough that they can even sleep out there with a friend for a sleepover when it’s warm enough. More sq footage w/o more house to heat/clean/fill up/etc. I’m so excited!

]]> By: Sue http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8820 Sue Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:50:16 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8820 We have been considered this for our guest room: http://www.wallbedsbywilding.com/chalet-murphy-bed-gallery.php We have been considered this for our guest room:

http://www.wallbedsbywilding.c.....allery.php

]]> By: Jenny http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8819 Jenny Fri, 07 Mar 2008 01:05:56 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8819 Also, with out a guest bedroom they don't stay as long :) I live in a 1 bedroom in Mpls and have an airmatress (which was a hand me down from my grandparents.) It work great when I have people over. But since they don't have their own room my guests only want to stay a night or two. Also, with out a guest bedroom they don’t stay as long :)

I live in a 1 bedroom in Mpls and have an airmatress (which was a hand me down from my grandparents.) It work great when I have people over. But since they don’t have their own room my guests only want to stay a night or two.

]]> By: Michele http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8813 Michele Thu, 06 Mar 2008 21:46:35 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8813 What an inspiring post. I look forward to reading more about this as it happens. DH and I briefly talked about adding on to our house when we first bought it, but have decided against it. There is no reason we can't live in the space we have now. More space would just mean more stuff and maintenance. What an inspiring post. I look forward to reading more about this as it happens. DH and I briefly talked about adding on to our house when we first bought it, but have decided against it. There is no reason we can’t live in the space we have now. More space would just mean more stuff and maintenance.

]]> By: Gina http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8807 Gina Thu, 06 Mar 2008 20:30:11 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8807 I recently stayed with friends on their IKEA sleeper sofa and had a better night's rest than on my $2000 mattress. I couldn't feel the bar and the mattress was uniformly firm and comfortable. Don't discount sleeper sofas as comfortable options for guests just because of your past experiences. I never expected to fall asleep when they pulled it out but was pleasantly surprised. I recently stayed with friends on their IKEA sleeper sofa and had a better night’s rest than on my $2000 mattress. I couldn’t feel the bar and the mattress was uniformly firm and comfortable. Don’t discount sleeper sofas as comfortable options for guests just because of your past experiences. I never expected to fall asleep when they pulled it out but was pleasantly surprised.

]]> By: MB http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8804 MB Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:31:10 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8804 My husband, two daughters and I are relocating and were resolved to not up-size. We happily found another house the same size, about 1600 sq ft. The only thing holding us back from downsizing was wanting a space for the girls to have their friends over. Our only 'up-grade' is having more than one bathroom! We have been happy and content in our smaller home. My husband, two daughters and I are relocating and were resolved to not up-size. We happily found another house the same size, about 1600 sq ft. The only thing holding us back from downsizing was wanting a space for the girls to have their friends over. Our only ‘up-grade’ is having more than one bathroom! We have been happy and content in our smaller home.

]]> By: Michelle http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8801 Michelle Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:10:13 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8801 "My husband and I live in a 1200 sq.ft. townhouse that’s perfect for the two of us. I’m always a bit bothered by the constant comments from friends and family asking when we’re going to move to a bigger house." we get this all the time!! our home is small, but has plenty of space for what we need. i just don't get it. why would i want to move to a house that costs more to heat and cool, takes longer to clean, and has more space to collect more stuff? i don't!! “My husband and I live in a 1200 sq.ft. townhouse that’s perfect for the two of us. I’m always a bit bothered by the constant comments from friends and family asking when we’re going to move to a bigger house.”

we get this all the time!! our home is small, but has plenty of space for what we need. i just don’t get it. why would i want to move to a house that costs more to heat and cool, takes longer to clean, and has more space to collect more stuff? i don’t!!

]]> By: H... http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8798 H... Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:55:49 +0000 http://unclutterer.com/2008/03/06/were-downsizing-our-home/#comment-8798 i have a 1300 house on somewhat large lot. I love the house but it is a bit too big for a single person. I plan to downsize it in a few years. i have a 1300 house on somewhat large lot. I love the house but it is a bit too big for a single person. I plan to downsize it in a few years.

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