Small house / simple living. Please talk to me about your experience and advice!

[adverteasing]

I have my heart set on living in a certain area and it's becoming very apparent that my budget won't buy me much house. I also kinda want a more simple lifestyle and a big motivator for moving house has been to have less Stuff.

However, the realities are starting to feel quite daunting. My main questions are:

• How do I cut down on clothing? Day-to-day I wear a very limited wardrobe, but I also have a lot of out-of-season clothes and clothes for "special occasions" like beach holidays and funerals. I am not really in to shoes, but I still need wellies and trainers and sandals and shoes for work, hiking boots... How do I cut down on clothing and shoes?
• Hobby stuff?? Camping equipment, bread maker, wet suits and body boards, huge collection of Lego - do I just need to accept that if I've not used these in a decade couple of years I probably need to get rid?
• Toiletries and cleaning stuff that I've bought because I saw a bargain? Do I just stop grabbing a good deal from now on?
• Books, books, books.

Hello! We downsized from a large 3 bedroom semi to a small 2 bed terrace with 1 open plan kitchen/dining/living room. I am passionate about not buying stuff and living simply (my daughter who is 7 does not share this passion currently but luckily my OH does).

I watch a lot of YouTube videos on small space living etc.

My tips are:

• The first declutter/removal of stuff is very time consuming, almost a full-time job. I was brutal and got rid of everything we didn't use or need and made sure we only had 1 of everything. Honestly now I can't even remember what we had?!
• Invest in built in cupboards/storage where possible - concealed storage is amazing in a smaller space as it will look decluttered (even if the cupboard is a mess behind the closed door!)
• Google the 'container method for organising'. This is how my brain naturally works - essentially you have a space for each type of thing and when that space gets full you need to declutter that thing. (This is great for my daughter, e.g. one shelf is our 'arts & crafts shelf' - when there is too much arts & crafts stuff, some of it must go).
• If we could, I would love to have a separate kitchen - the only time when I feel overwhelmed/stimulated in our space is when the washing machine is going or one of us is trying to cook whilst the other is trying to read or watch tv etc.
• Once you're in your new place the best thing is just to not buy much! I have focussed on buying good quality things once when stuff needs replacing - we'll buy more expensive nicer things knowing they'll last.
• The other thing I do is have a laundry basket for stuff we need to get rid of / donate etc. so we just fill that up with whatever (clothes, toys, anything) and when it's full I figure out how to get rid of the stuff.

You mentioned that you and DH can't go 50/50 financially.

If he is he one who likes to keep clutter, and therefore needs more space, I really hope he is the one with more money to put in.

It does seem to me that you need to resolve whether you are going to live together, and how the finances will work, before you can work out how much stuff to keep. Otherwise you are putting the cart before the horse.

I'm pretty minimal and a fan of simple living. I don't really have much choice to be honest, I don't have a lot of money and have always lived in small places because that's all I can afford. I don't own things I don't use regularly (I certainly wouldn't keep hold of something I'd not used for 10 years!) I only buy what I need, usually when something needs replacing. I wouldnt buy something just because its on offer for example. We also like lego and books but it generally all fits on two Billy bookcases in the living room, if we end up with more than can fit we will get rid of something. Small but regular decluttering helps stay on top of it, even if its just one drawer or cupboard a week1st

Books - keep 20 favourites. Use library. Better for pocket and environment.

clothes - get rid of a few. Store under bed.

hobby stuff - get rid. Rent in future.

toiletries - use up buy when you need.

Put it in boxes, and write the date on each box 6 months, 12 months, 18 month 24 months

write that on the top of each box - if you’ve not used it within 6 months the box goes to charity

put all these boxes into self storage

put the alarm on your phone for each date, go and remove those boxes.

in the meantime if you need anything from those boxes, you’ll have collected it so it won’t be in there

See I don’t think that level of decluttering is needed in a 2 bed terrace for one

books - one bookcase in the living room, and one in each bedroom

clothes would all fit in one ceiling to floor wardrobes. Most two up tow downs have space for 2 such wardrobes in the main bedroom so hobby stuff goes in the seconds

houaehold linens and rarely used kitchen stuff in the second bedroom wardrobe

toiletries - buy as needed

Good ideas.

I would add, beware of the loft filling up. The only things up there should be

1. Holiday equipment, including suitcases, camping equipment, etc.
2. Christmas decorations

Everything else should find a place in the home.

Some people put winter clothing in the loft, but I would be wary of damp, and even in spring and autumn you might need your winter clothes on a chilly evening, so there is little point in putting it away up there just for a few weeks of summertime.
Plus if it was up in the loft, or in other storage, where would you put it when you got it out? The wardrobe is already full of all your other clothes, so no room left for adding in winter coats and jumpers.
Better to keep it in the wardrobe all year round.

Letting go emotionally can be hard. e.g. You used to love a hobby or type of holiday, so it is hard to let go of the associated equipment.
Marie Kondo has the idea of saying goodbye with thanks. Recognise you are not that person anymore, and you now live a different life. So keep the memories, say thank you to the items for the joy they gave you at the time, and let them go so that they can make someone else happy.

Outdoorsy is overrated. You can walk/ swim/ climb in it and then go back to a nice cottage/ hotel

I’ve just downsized from an almost 1300 sq ft house to a 759 sq ft house but I have a garage for overflow. Things I have done so far - every piece of furniture has hidden storage (ottoman bed, sofa bed with storage underneath) - in DD bedroom storage under bed plus using storage systems on one run for desk /wardrobe etc - I’m retrofitting my wardrobes with drawers. Next on the list work out what can live in the garage and loft then a donation to charity for furniture which doesn’t work.

Pass on stuff like camping stuff to someone who will use it - so you feel it's fulfilling its purpose. And if you ever decide to go camping again - rent/borrow or buy some new stuff till you decide it's your lifestyle again.

My DP andsI were students together in student digs, I got experienced at living in a small space and with a very low food budget- I got good at providing filling meals at minimum cost from ingredients. We bought the smallest cheapest house we coiuld and stuck with it, food and living strategies remained the same, even though we earned more. We never earned large salaries but we saved into ISAs and pensions. My DP retired early aged,54 and I continued but only part time- we have enough for our day to day but I use my earnings as our travel fund.
Despite never earning as much as average, and despite my being freelance was only like a third of a salary we are fine, we own our own home and have enough to live the lifestyle we always lived, and we have reasonable amount of emergency fund and investments.
Thius all depends on living a simple lifestyle and not trying to keep up with anyone- it suits us, but isn't for everyone.

My house is small. Bigger downstairs because of an extension but upstairs feels v small.

If I ever had the option again, I would decorate before moving in as much as possible because I find the upheaval of having anything done in a small space with not much hallway is tricky.

In any house now I would think carefully about hot summers and climate change too. Shutters, blinds, aircon potential etc.

But clutter wise, I think it's healthy to let things go if you can. I'm desperate for a good clear out!

Upsides are it's less tiring for me now I have mobility issues.

The thing that helps with my house is that I do have a small garage. Without that I would want a shed or other outdoor storage or even an outdoor office.

Very good shout about hidden storage. I also did this. Ottomans and storage coffee table! Drawers in the bed. Furniture with sliding doors not opening outwards too.

Books...realistically, you won't read most of them again, and if you wanted to, you could get them from a library. So only keep your favourite comfort books and reference books for current hobbies. I read somewhere that people keep books to show that they've 'done' a hobby..but you don't need to prove yourself.If, for example, you learned Spanish or crochet 2 decades ago, but you are no longer doing that, then you can get rid of all the books that that go with that.
Clothes..sounds like you have too many 'just in case' clothes. For example, what are "beach clothes" and how many do you need? Manky old suncream stained swimwear can be chucked out, and any summer dresses or shorts you could wear now. If you don't like them enough to wear now, then why keep them?

If you haven't used your breadmaker for 10 years, then get rid. The Lego you could sell by the bag at a boot sale or similar. I've found the possibility of grtting money for something focuses me more! As for the camping equipment, it doesn't sound like you want to go camping again, so don't. Throw out the tent so that there is no possibility of some well-meaning outdoorsy -type pushing you into agreeing to a weekend in a tent rather than in a hotel.

Bottom line - get rid of stuff - do not buy lots of new stuff.

I live in a small (but beautifully formed!) two bedroomed house, just me and my cat. I have a garage, loft and shed, but have nothing in my loft and garage, not much in the shed.

I pack away out of season clothes into moth-proof bags which live on the shelf in the spare bedroom wardrobe. I'm quite ruthless getting rid of things - I was ill and so retired early - I'm donating or selling on Vinted all my work clothes, and stuff that wasn't being worn. I have one bookshelf for books I will re-read, and non fiction. All others are on Kindle or from the library. I go through things frequently to declutter, either selling or donating stuff.

I don't buy anything unless I know where it will be stored.

The Minimal Mom on YouTube is my go-to decluttering guru. I love her videos and her system.

Camping stuff you haven’t used in 10 years? That not you, it’s Fantasy You. And wouldn’t Luxury Hotel You be more fun?

When I have got rid of things that used to be me, but aren’t now, I have got a kick out of the joy they have brought to their new owner

It seems to me that you would be happier living alone.

I downsized from a large extended four bed house with a double garage into a tiny one bed cottage.

I just got house clearance in to get rid of everything after I had given away what I could.

I keep about fifty books, and have a triple wardrobe for clothes and shoe storage. I still have way too much clothing tbh!

You just need a small house with good storage and you are all set. You really don’t need most of the shite we all collect.

I too lived in a very small place for a while.

Pack summer and winter clothes away. I always swap with the seasons.

Give books away - I know you say you might need them, but they might be out of date now and you can get everything you need from the internet now.

Will your partner do the same or are you massively giving things away, only for him to be keeping loads of crap?

When I got divorced I went from a large three storey, four bed house to a small two bed flat. I’m in the upper floor but don’t use my loft as we’re not allowed to.

I use a kindle for books and have Spotify for music so no books/CDs to store, my tiny spare room is my office and I have a wall of Ikea kallax units with various storage baskets and drawers which holds most of my camping gear, a few books and my paperwork. It also works as my office so there’s a desk and chair in there as well as the cat’s giant scratching post and litter tray.

A tiny cupboard in the hallway stores coats, vacuum cleaner, spare towels and DIY stuff.

Tiny living room with a cuddle sofa, small armchair, folding dining table and chairs, together with a tv cabinet and small sideboard. Both of which provide additional storage.

My kitchen isn’t a bad size with a reasonable amount of cupboard space. No room for a dishwasher though unfortunately.

All my clothes and shoes have to fit in my wardrobe, I have tallboys rather than bedside tables as they have more drawer space. Spare bedding is in a nice rattan storage trunk at the end of my bed. Under my bed are a few storage bags with out of season clothes and the Christmas tree!

Teeny tiny bathroom without a window and just a storage trolley for everything.

Whenever I go shopping now my first thought is ‘where will that go’. If there isn’t a space then I don’t take it home.

I use the IKEA pax method of seasonal storage (this is not actually a thing). The shelves are a bit deep for everyday use. I have about 4 big drawers then shelves above up to the ceiling. At the front of the shelves I keep clothes currently in use. At the back I keep out of season clothes in boxes, or even those huge landscape supermarket bags for life. Keeping stuff there packed up actually makes the front half of the shelves more useable because it stops things disappearing backwards. So everything, summer and winter, fits in the wardrobe.

Our camping stuff does not take up much space, and lives in a small pile in our loft. Tent, beds, stove, bag of cooking stuff. The sleeping bags and camping chairs are in general use elsewhere. Use your camping chairs in the garden. Christmas decs are 2 boxes in the loft. But you could probably put a lot of this stuff in some good deep built in cupboards in your spare room.

Similarly make use of high spaces. With books, get a joiner in to fit floor to ceiling shelving into an alcove or part of a wall. Our ceilings are not tall but we have 8 shelves on our bespoke bookcases, whereas most freestanding read mades would be 6 or so. We didn't have space for an IKEA kallax 5x5 so we have a 4x4 stacked on a 4x1 to make the most of the height. But don't use kallax for books, it's inefficient. One look I've always fancied is a shelf running along at picture rail height or higher, filled with books, with maybe pegs underneath or some artwork. But you probably don't need to go to that extreme. You'd have a whole house not just one room.

I think being in a partnership but living separately is a really interesting idea, and we will see much more of it in the future. If your partner happens to have a garage for the surfboards or you rent a garage or storage room between you, not the end of the world. I think this is more about how you live and work day to day, not those few boxes of Christmas decs and holiday stuff that most people need.

We don't keep much else in the loft "just in case". We have a bookshelf in every room but they are big.

Books - consider a kindle. Then declutter anything that can be replaced on kindle if you want to re-read it. A library membership is also a good idea. Camping - consider upgrading to glamping. You can still have outdoorsy holidays, but in more comfort, and the yurt (or whatever) and bedding will be provided, so you can declutter tents and sleeping bags. Lego - I don't know. Could you fit high-up shelves in the hallway or on the landing to display it, so it is out of the way? Under-bed storage is a good idea for out-of-season clothes and bedding.

I've just had to move from a 3 bed house to one room and I have to have a large dog crate in there with me! So... Storage needs careful thinking about and then if I haven't used or worn it in year it got skipped. I got rid of loads of stuff! It also went if it didn't fit so that included a year old robot hoover etc.
Once your in, the odd thing you really miss you will find room for and the rest you'll be glad to not have cluttering up your life .

I did treat myself to a little shed so I could keep my push bike and I have 2 cars, one of which is broken down and never used but I just mot it each year and tax it and insure it anyway cause I love it a lot.

Oh I forgot - for toiletries, makeup, perfume - look into Project Pan. There is a whole community of people who have overbought this stuff - so easy to do if you love a good sale. Starting with the smallest sizes (so that you see quicker results) concentrate on one product per category. So one shower gel, one body lotion, one lipstick, one perfume and so on. Use that product until it's gone, then shop your stash for the next one. The idea is to save money on buying new stuff until you genuinely need it, reclaim space used for storing the excess, and stop so much stuff going to landfill.

You work out how much it actually costs to store stuff. For example: 3 bed vs 2bed = 300 extra on the mortgage per month. New wetsuit and body board =150 and probably a lot less. Throw them away, but or borrow next time you go on holiday. Ditto tent etc. Keep the one most useful tent if you're the sort of person who does last minute camping trips, otherwise bin. Bin everything you haven't used in 5 years, which will be a good 20% of your stuff. 2 bed is loads of space for a single person.