https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 26 Apr 2026 10:50:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-902239 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 19:13:24 +0000 mrsmate 902239@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1400 sq ft sounds like a lot of space to me! I grew up in NYC and we didn't move into a 2BR (800 sq ft) until my sister and I were in HS.</p> <p>Layout is more important than sq footage. Stop hoarding (wouldn't the $5 you spend on discount gift bags look better in your bank account? there are always gift bags on sale somewhere). Wall mount as much as you can (hooks are awesome). Try to buy things that do double duty. Always be tidying up. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-902202 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 18:46:01 +0000 kjpugs 902202@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Get one of those rolling under bed containers and store gift wrapping material in there, like gift wrap and bags, etc. Even gift cards, some tape and stamps. Then it won't be going crazy somewhere else, and it's all in one place! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-902195 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 18:41:08 +0000 LovelyPlum 902195@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@red_seattle: YES on Ikea-I got lots of ideas from them, even if I buy the things elsewhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-900251 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 06:38:55 +0000 T.H.O.U. 900251@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you for all the great suggestions. I cleaned out part of a closet last night got rid of a few things and neatly packed up the extra gifts I have stored. </p> <p>I know going through her toys would be a big help, but I bought under bed storage containers for those so we can cycle them out. They aren't really in the way. </p> <p>I guess I really need to go through things like extra comforters (do we really need an extra twin, queen and king set)? I think the big one that gets me is entertainment stuff and craft stuff. I hardly use it all but want to keep it "just in case". I know I am done scrapbooking (doing it all digitally now) so that will clear out a few drawers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-900241 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 06:29:56 +0000 Sugar.Biscuit 900241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Following this one! We have an 1800sqft home but the rooms are small &amp; award, there is little to no storage &amp; we only have 2 legal bedrooms. We will make it work for the twins while they are young but I'm worried about storage! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-900200 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 03:25:45 +0000 loveisstrange 900200@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up in an 800sq ft house (there were 5 of us!). The house we currently live in is 1700sq ft and it's almost TOO much space for the 3 of us. Our house back home is 1200sq ft + a basement.</p> <p>I do agree with the ladies here who have said that something is not a good deal unless you're going to use it. I always catch myself and think "Am I REALLY going to use this?" before I buy something. It's really helped me to cut down on impulse purchases that clutter things up.</p> <p>I think another good tip was just finding storage for everything. For instance, C's toys. She has one large wicker laundry basket in our living room and she is allowed to have the 2 bottom cubbies of our small bookshelf. I simply don't buy her more than what fits in those spaces (excluding large toys like activity cube, etc).</p> <p>The other things I do is regularly purge. Maybe it's from being a military family like @Navy_Mommy: but I get rid of crap all the time too. I look at things and think about how badly I dont want to haul it back across an ocean and out it goes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-900196 Tue, 02 Jul 2013 02:57:43 +0000 red_seattle 900196@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have 2 adults, a 20 month old, and a labrador living in 760 sq feet... It's tight, but it works! (Do I win a prize for having the smallest home in this thread?) </p> <p>@Bamblm had great suggestions. And a lot of the stuff we do to make 760 sq ft work has already been mentioned. </p> <p> For us, the biggest thing is really thinking through what is a "need" vs. what is a "want". We also do a big purge about once a year, and we think hard about bringing in any new thing. Where would it live? Would we use it often? Is there a smaller version available that works just as well? </p> <p>We also have a storage shed, and a large laundry/utility room, and those 2 things are really the main reason we're able to make this house work. </p> <p>Last thing-- IKEA!!! I was stressed about how we were going to fit a new baby in our old apartment (700 sq ft, 1br), but we spent some time at Ikea, got some ideas, and it worked out well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-900126 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 23:11:14 +0000 googly-eyes 900126@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bamblm: I do the same with off season clothing in luggage! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-900123 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 23:09:50 +0000 googly-eyes 900123@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me it comes down to stuff you need vs stuff you want or have just collected. We don't collect stuff! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-900084 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 22:11:50 +0000 LovelyPlum 900084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I haven't read through the other comments, so forgive me if I repeat what others have said. For us, the biggest thing was getting rid of furniture that did not do us any favors. We just can't have bulky furniture in a small space. Also, we (OK, well I) looked at a lot of small apartments online. I know that many European apartments are small, and they store vertically. So, our bookcases are tall, we hang coats off of closet doors, we have shelves above the closets in the hall where we store games, etc. We also have risers under the bed frame, to be able to store more under there. </p> <p>We've moved a lot recently, so we've cleared out a bunch. But we do have things we want to keep for future use/off season stuff that we don't have room for in the apartment. We solved this with a $50/month storage locker. Yes, it's an added expense, and it could quickly become cluttered, if we let it. But, it lets us put things like our Christmas decorations out of our way until we need them again. When I get pregnant again, we've talked about buying things slowly and storing them there until we need them. That way, the clutter isn't underfoot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-899676 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 18:28:47 +0000 MsLipGloss 899676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bamblm: Even though we are not short on space, I am able to store some of my luggage together like a nesting doll set. I also use the larger, less used pieces for storage, too.</p> <p>I am also in the process of finding/ creating an over-the-door spice rack to save storage space in the pantry/ cabinets . . . every little bit helps! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-899662 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 18:23:35 +0000 Mrs. Pen 899662@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: that is a lovely home and amazing they could make such a teeny place work for a family of 4!!! incredible. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-899648 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 18:17:57 +0000 Mrs. Jump Rope 899648@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in a split level home and storage is a major issue for us, we've had to get creative with storage solutions!</p> <p>- we pack away summer/winter clothes and store them in the attic<br /> - all Xmas/Halloween/holiday decor are stores in bins in the garage<br /> - wrapping paper &amp; gift bags are on a shelf in the crawl space in our basement. Some is in my office.<br /> - we installed closest systems in the bedrooms<br /> - bookshelves + baskets + ikea = amazing. I love ikea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-899290 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 15:34:42 +0000 sarac 899290@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I grew up in a hoarding household, so now I'm a pretty serious minimalist. If you're feeling cramped, you might reexamine your philosophy on stuff, and how much of it you want to have. Doing so really changed my life. Check out unclutterer.com for awesome advice. My family of three people, two big dogs, and three cats, all live very comfortably in less that 1000 square feet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-899261 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 15:27:52 +0000 Mrs. Pen 899261@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have 900 sq ft and honestly I feel it's a good amount of space for us. I do wish we had an extra closet because as a result our bedroom has turned into storage as well which isn't all that pretty or romantic. </p> <p>It does force us to be less cluttered. We had to do weekly or monthly declutter sessions where we just go through stuff in a given room and get rid of it. It's actually really nice to be forced to live more minimally instead of just shoving everything in a box and putting it into a closet. All of our space is precious space that we need, so we try to maximize it. </p> <p>We tend to think more along the lines of what are essentials for home living, and what do we not really need? When making furniture or purchases for the home, it's easier to be accountable because we ponder purchases and where we'll put it for months before taking the plunge. </p> <p>I am a crafter/DIY etc so it's important I keep craft stuff and that's probably my biggest amount of clutter. I had about three boxes full of scrapbooking, sewing, stamps etc and it's sitting in the corner of my room. I really want to get decorative storage options like a trunk... but still looking for the right one! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-899243 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 15:23:57 +0000 heffalump 899243@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That's about the size of our house. Right now we just have one and all of our extra crap is stored in the guest room..... which will soon turn into LO's room so the new baby can have her room. So yeah, we'll be getting rid of a lot of stuff. We'll move our stuff that we need to keep (bookshelf and printer/paper) into our room. All of our extra baby stuff is currently in our Florida room. LO likes to play out there and she puts her dolly in the swing, bouncer, etc. Obviously when the baby comes that stuff will come back out into the living and family room. </p> <p>We keep a lot of things like wrapping baby and gift bags in the garage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-899228 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 15:20:01 +0000 bamblm 899228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>1&gt; Store off season clothing in luggage. Luggage needs to go somewhere, now it's useful. (Use damprid or dryer sheets to keep things from smelling musty.) When I "pack and unpack" anything that was not used the whole entire season gets donated.<br /> 2&gt; Bed risers and extra long bedskirts gives you extra storage under the beds. Large rubbermaid tubs fit now instead of the flatter under bed containers. (Now, so does your luggage :) )<br /> 3&gt; Buying the extra slim velvet hangers doubled our closet space.<br /> 4&gt; Every single closet door has some type of rack or hooks on the back (Coat closet over the door shoe pockets=hat, mitten and scarf organizers. Bathroom closet over the door shoe pockets=sunblock, lotion, extra toiletries organizer) We also put hooks on any free wall space in closets to hang things out of the way.<br /> 5&gt;In a couple of closets we were able to install an additional higher shelf closer to the ceiling for rarely used things (Just label them clearly so you can tell what is in the box before you go through the trouble of getting it down.)<br /> 6&gt; Everything should have more than one purpose. If you have two things that do the same thing, get rid of one of them. (No need for two vacuums, etc.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898660 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:49:55 +0000 Grace 898660@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Remember that until you have used the stuff that you bought just in case, it's also just throwing money away. Nothing has value until it is used or sold. Beyond that, I would say verticle storage is super important. Closets can be used up to the ceiling. Floor-to-ceiling bookcases or armoires or built-in-storage holds a lot of stuff. And last, I think keeping things clean helps. If I have my dining room table covered with stuff, it makes my whole house feel cramped. If it's in it's place, then I have "room to breathe". </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898417 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:37:57 +0000 ShootingStar 898417@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would say get rid of anything you haven't used in a year. Unless it's baby stuff you're saving for the next one. DH has the same philosophy as you - buy stuff and keep it around just in case it comes in handy. We're reconfiguring our house for the baby, and I've made him seriously reconsider all the stuff he's been holding on to. </p> <p>I also think it can help to limit yourself space-wise for certain things. I had DH buy a big tub to put all his mementos in (things that were sitting in boxes) and he can fill up the tub with whatever's most important, but once stuff stops fitting, he needs to eliminate things. Maybe do something similar for all the stuff you tend to hoard. Find a reasonable amount of space and limit yourself to that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898374 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:25:51 +0000 petunia354 898374@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live in 1000 sq ft (with 500 sq ft finished basement) and my biggest tip is to NOT hold on to anything you don't absolutely need! And keep the toys to a minimum, kids don't need a bazillion things. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898365 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:23:01 +0000 LuLu Mom 898365@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a split level home with 3 bedrooms (1200 plus basement) for me it is all about organization and doing a deep purge every year. Everyone gets in that mood when you want to "reduce and eliminate" well take it to the exterme and do it. Get rid of those old decorations you will never use again, serveware you got for your wedding still in the box, get rid of it, ect! It's a great feeling, I promise :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898360 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:21:19 +0000 Navy_Mommy 898360@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsBrewer: I'm the opposite of a hoarder too! We aren't currently using that? Sell it or donate it! Part of that is because we move every three years so I never want to accumulate too much stuff. The Navy pays for the moves, but you do have a weight limit for stuff. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898343 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:17:52 +0000 Cole 898343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I like her approach, it helps me get on track. I love having a list and she breaks things into chunks. Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898337 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 11:16:39 +0000 T.H.O.U. 898337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cole: I have never head of the FlyLady but I'm reading all about it now </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898252 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 10:56:00 +0000 Cole 898252@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think part of the trick is thinking creatively about storage- for example in a former apartment we used our laundry room as a master closet and the master closet (which was really awkward) as over flow storage for luggage, extra paper goods etc. If you have the space it wouldn't be unreasonable to keep extra office things and filing in a child's room. I know a family who bought an armoire for their daughter and the Mom uses the closet pin the daughter's, room. They love picking clothes together in the morning! </p> <p>I used to really struggle with the "what if I need it someday" mentality. Honestly, the biggest help was that our financial situation changed but it helped when I tried boxing up things that were in that gray area for me. I would revisit it 6 months later and I could usually get rid of half without remorse. </p> <p>I love flylady's tactic of the "27 fling boogie" where you go through and get rid of 27 things. I have no clue why she picked that number but it is not daunting and I can usually do that a few times a week. Trash and donations both count. Try doing it in each room of the house.</p> <p>Finding resources for things you sorry of want to get rid of helps too. The library has books and DVDs so thin your collections. If your family out a friend has lots of things for entertaining ditch some of yours. Also, many kids are ruthless when it comes to thinking their toys, explain you will donate them to help the less fortunate and they will probably chose to get rid of twice as much as you. Likewise get a friend to help you go through your closet and kitchen. If you are embarrassed for them to see your collection of holey tshirts that you are keeping "just in case" it might make you think twice about keeping them :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-898002 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 09:53:10 +0000 deactivated_account 898002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@luckypenny: I love the oh happy day houses! Did you see when they had their two little boys' beds in the closet? It was so well done and inspirational. </p> <p>@T.H.O.U.: my condo is 1100 sq ft and two bedrooms. Space is definitely an issue. My downstairs will not accommodate swings or pack and plays. But somehow it will all just have to work when I have a LO one day. I definitely plan to look back at Hello Bee posts that discuss what baby gear was not useful or helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-897847 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 09:14:23 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 897847@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would first recommend taking inventory of all the categories of stuff that you have (gift wrap, linens, medication, toilet paper, etc) and then find a useful storage area that stuff in that category would go (linen closet, master closet, under the bed, etc). Then figure out how much space you can reasonable afford to dedicate to that purpose. Then - even if something is on sale - only buy it if you have room to store it in it's designated category. Don't let it overflow to another place. </p> <p>You have to make sure you are using the things you buy and not just building up a stockpile. Things will always go on sale again, so you just have to have enough to get you to the next sale. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-897802 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 09:04:37 +0000 Bao 897802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm all about going through things every few months and if I haven't used it in a year or more it gets sold or donated. I never even miss the items! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-897773 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 08:56:35 +0000 luckypenny 897773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Here's a home tour of a family of 4 in a 500 sq ft apartment!<br /> <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/category/my-home/" rel="nofollow">http://ohhappyday.com/category/my-home/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-fit-kids-and-stuff-into-a-less-then-1400-sq-ft-house#post-897758 Mon, 01 Jul 2013 08:52:20 +0000 MrsBrewer 897758@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a 1300 sq ft house with 3 bedrooms. Right now it's just DH, myself, a dog, and 2 cats. we have more than enough room. It feels like too much at times actually! I'm the opposite of a hoarder, and I purge our stuff all the time! We would have more than enough room for at least 2 children in this house! </p>