To think 43m2 is too small for a couple with a toddler

[moumoute]

Anyone else in this situation? How do you cope? Not too mention maternity leave is endless where I live and husband is at home too.

That is tiny, basically one kitchen/living/dining and one small bedroom. It’s not impossible though, you’ll just need to live very minimally. People and families can and do live in mobile homes.

i have seen people spending 2 years in a caravan with 2 under 2 whilst redoing their house.

You just need to be tidy, make efficient use of the space, and use your home as a base. Toddler groups, parks, library, children centre, anything. I don't know anyone who can stay home with a toddler anyway, it's so much nicer to take them out - no mess, no boredom.

Nope.
We're in 45.8m^2.
2 adults, 2 (soon to be 3) children. I'm a sahm and DH works from home.
It's totally do-able!
I am a bit sad that we can't really have people over, but we're fairly young still so hope we'll get there one day.

I used to live in a 28 × 10 ft caravan with my husband and toddler. It was fine space wise, just don't have much stuff, build in some storage and be tidy and organised.

WE did it when my eldest was a toddler. It was OK (and quick to tidy). We even had guests to stay sometimes! You have to be very sensible with storage (we had those ikea cube storage units going up high). We also accepted that we didn't really have any adult space - the free floor space was for toddler's toys (and obviously they had to be tidied up immediately . DD still slept in our room anyway then so that wasn't an issue. We went out at least once if not twice a day if only to playgroup or the park (not in this weather!)

I think it would be more difficult if the space wasn't a little open planned - lots of small rooms would feel more clostrophobic.

I’m guessing Oslo or Japan! Have a look at some YouTube videos on small homes for some great ideas. You can make anything work. Good luck

Definitely doable OP.

Spend time figuring out the best way to utilise your space and sneak extra storage in there if you can, for example a lift up bed so you can store items beneath the mattress. An ottoman can triple up as a surface to put a tray with drinks by the sofa, a foot stool and an extra storage solution for blankets, toys etc.

Don't keep clutter. Be minimalistic.

Realistically we don't need lots of clothes and clutter, kids don't need lots of toys. A small home can in ways make your life more fulfilling.

I used to rent a place in Japan that was 25m2 I think. My sister called it the caravan when she visited:) I loved keeping it perfect as it was mine and the place I managed to escape my abusive ex to. I loved each chair and spoon I’d broken the bank to purchase. You can love a small place but you need perspective and practical thinking. There’s a lot of stuff you don’t need and reminding yourself how it’s affordable, how you’ve a bed to sleep in and cooker to make a meal on, sofa to watch movies on and cuddle your child. Really that’s all any of us need. You might have something else bigger in the future but actually you don’t need it.

It's not much space, but people manage with less. You have to be very tidy. When I was an estate agent I knew sold a one bedroom house for a couple with three small children. They'd got into negative equity when the market crashed and not been able to move.

there are some ideas in some of the tiny house movement threads on how to live in small spaces

Almost exactly the size of our flat when I had DS - one bedroom flat with open plan kitchen/living room. Fine when they were a baby, did get a bit of a nightmare when he started moving around.

I don't know the exact floor space of where we are now but not much bigger. We've got 2 adults, teenager, a preteen and a toddler in a 2 bedroom flat but we are doing everything in our power to change this.

Is there anyway of changing the situation?