To redecorate already?

[Firefumes]

Moved into our new build home in 2021. It’s quite small. Bought everything new, didn’t go cheap, it looks nice and gets a lot of compliments.

However I’m now struggling for space. I literally don’t have anywhere to put a bookcase down for example, so looking into floating shelves/wall cabinets instead. I also wanted a proper desk for my fully remote job, but due to size it has to be interchangeable eg desk during day, dining table at night.

I’m not sure whether to potentially replace existing perfectly-fine furniture for utility furniture that offers more storage (eg I currently have a large chest of drawers, but could replace that with a one that has shelves on top). Or, do we just look at moving in the new year?

I'm confused.

You wrote it all the way through as though you live alone but then right at the end you mentioned 'we'.

Is that another adult or do you mean kids?

If it's another adult, what do they think?

If it's not then I'd just do whatever you think is best for you.

This is a bit of an odd question: shall I change some of my furniture (not redecorate 🤔) or shall I move house?

It’s completely normal to change small things in your house on a fairly regular basis.

So a blank canvas and you bought your furniture for looks rather than use/living.

you won’t do that again!

does the “shell” of the house work for you now? If not can you afford the space that would now suit you better?

as somebody else said, it’s normal to change and move furniture regularly and even more common to date accessories frequently.

So when I moved in, my income was about a third of what I make now. I save around £2.5k a month, so in a nutshell I am not sure whether to keep saving in my current space or upsize asap. How do you know when it’s time?

The crux of my issue is I have a very small place. The bedroom is average sized but everything else is smaller than average. So I am considering getting rid of things I use/like/don’t need replacing just to make room for more storage-focused products.

my current furniture is fine - I wouldn’t say I went for aesthetics over functionality. For example I bought the white chest of drawers pictured 3 years ago. However ikea released something similar with cabinets/shelves on top, shown in the second image. So I just think, do I get rid of my perfectly fine drawers to try and facilitate extra storage that the shelves/cabinets provide? Cause I’m otherwise happy with them, and wanted them, it’s just that as time has gone on, there isn’t much storage space.

So in summary - do I try to extend my time in current house, or just look to move on? I can’t tell if I’m throwing good money after bad.

Instead of adding more storage, can you get rid of 'stuff'?

See above - I wouldn’t say I bought furniture for looks. The drawers I have are fine, and aren’t particularly stunning. It’s just a lack of storage as a whole.

I could afford to upsize or buy somewhere bigger. I’m just not sure if I should do that, or just make do as I am to buffer savings out! I’m able to save a decent amount at the moment, not sure whether to stay put.

I had a good clear out but I’m at the point where I’m having to consider getting rid of normal things that should otherwise fit in the house. I’m at the point of considering getting rid of my dining table/chairs to switch to a desk instead for example. There just isn’t really that much storage space.

Even the Christmas tree being out feels quite cramped!

What size by sq ft is it? I did see some new build homes like this and it put me off them.

Moving costs lots and is stressful so that has to be weighed up against the benefits of a bigger place. But it doesn’t hurt to sign up to rightmove alerts and keep an eye out. Something else to weigh up is how likely your income is to stay stable now.

If you are happy enough where you are and somebody that can and will save, do that for nowhere

If the living space in your house is exceptionally small I'd move somewhere with more room in which to live and be thinking specifically of what you want from the extra space and how to maximise it. If you can still save something without overstretching yourself on a mortgage then that's even better. Obviously, the cost of moving house is huge so you need to add that into the equation when considering the viability of buying somewhere new. If it's a matter of getting a bit more creative with storage solutions to make the most of current wasted vertical space then that also would be cheaper than a house move. It depends on whether it feels small because your furniture is not working with the property or whether it's because it's an impractical and poorly designed layout.

Hmmm happy to take advice on layout! I might draw a diagram and post shortly

We have just moved from a 3 bed flat to a 4 bed house and the difference is insane. I'd recommend that if you're short on space. I'll never again buy a piece of furniture that is space saving or has to double as something else.