Tips on making 2 brm flat work with 2 children?

[Zara8]

We currently live in a relatively large (850 sq ft +) 2 bedroom apartment. No garden, but a large balcony. We've been here quite a few years and the rent is reasonable - we're hoping to move away/overseas in the coming year (DH job hunting), and would prefer not to move (even though more space would obviously be great).

We have one 20 month old DS who will be 2 when DC2 arrives in October.

Master bedroom not large enough for standard size cot so if we were to stay baby would have to go into DS' room once she grows out of her crib/Moses basket (unless we got a space saver cot).

Those of you with 2 DC in a 2 bedroom apartment - tips on making it work? We could buy some kind of storage shed possibly for the balcony for more storage? We have a roof garden too which we can colonise a bit as extra play space for DS (during clement weather).

Despite DH's protests for more space I would like to stay where we are so we can save faster for a deposit - hope to buy in the next 3-5 years.

How big is your living room? Why not try having your bed in there and giving the kids a bedroom each. We've been in a 1 bed flat with DS, now 2.5, and we all started off in the bedroom, then got him a spacesaver cot (amazing). And then when he outgrew that, we moved into the living room and our bed acts as a massive sofa with throws and cushions during the day time.

I would, get a space saver cot. Also get rid of as much stuff as possible into family's lofts and garages!

Declutter like mad!!!

If it helps, we are a family of four in a terraced 2 bed cottage, approx 500 sq ft.

Missy surely they don't need to give up their bedroom for a newborn?

We have a 2 bed terrace and ttc DC2 so I've thought about this too however we have a very big bedroom so a cot (even another single bed!) would be OK for us but I think once the baby is out of the moses basket I would move it in to you DS room (depending on how far away the room is?)

Definitely agree with the shed - we put so much stuff in ours it's great. I don't like to use the loft as I think things go up there and that's where they stay until you go to move and then adds to that stress! In the shed you see the stuff a lot more and I throw/re-home as things are no longer needed.

Also agree with decluttering. I had a big heave out the other day and the house looks big again if you DH is like mine ban him from buying tat

Don't buy all the gadgets going either. My DD has a trike, a scooter and a bloody bike and is really not interested in either of them and I wish we'd not bothered with the bike yet (thought she'd love it )

Doesn't sound like it is for long enough to worry about it tbh. Your baby will be tiny, so won't take up much room! If your DH is job hunting and you plan to move within a year, then I think you will be fine.

possumpoo I meant when the baby has to go into a bigger cot or a bed and there isn't room for a double bed in there too. We shared with DS for 10 months but then had to put the heating on - only place his cot fitted with us in there was next to the radiator! Otherwise we would have shared for longer. It was a tiny double bedroom!

He's 2.5 now and we're still sleeping in the living room. It's been fine - and cheap - but we're going to feel so blessed when we buy our 2 bed house and have our own bedroom again : )

OP, I think you decided to loft convert right?

Missy they are renting, so no loft conversion. Why doesn't DC2 go in with DC1?