If you have a small house and multiple children

[RedRobyn2021]

How has it been for you?

I'm in a 2 bed end terrace with my partner, a 3yo, a Labrador and two cats. I'm pregnant with number 2 and a SAHM atm so we can't really afford to move.

We do have a lot of outside space, we live in the country so that's nice but the kids will ultimately need to share a room and storage is an issue

Would really appreciate how others have got on with this kid of set up? For reassurance more than anything or if you have any tips for space saving

Ignoring the obvious answer of moving to a bigger house which is currently unaffordable.............

You say you have lots of outside space so could you have a really nice garden shed but upgrade it and use it as a bit of a playroom, den, storage etc?
I don't mean an expensive garden room but a well put together 12x8 with some insulation, flooring, nicely painted, power & lighting etc?
Effectively it would give you an extra room in all but the worst weather and some clever storage could make some much needed room in the house.

We moved to our 2 bed cottage when we thought we'd only have our dd. 5 years later, our ds arrived, then cats, dogs, guinea pigs etc. 23 years later and all grown up. Both adult children still
here, one commuting, one at uni. Bedrooms are tight and ds too tall for the beams(😂) but we all still love it.

Different situation to you, we're in inner London but we would always go for location over size every time.

Be brutal about clearing out constantly. Try not to be emotionally attached to stuff. Toys should be 1-in and 1-out, otherwise they just multiply out of control. Get the kids on board with passing on their stuff to younger children.

Rotate summer and winter stuff in vacuum bags.

Get ottoman beds or under bed storage boxes. Look at bunk beds for kids or cabin beds/IKEA hacks to include under bed storage.

Use the full height of the room for shelving, kitchen cabinets etc

Definitely use shed for storage and if you can afford it maybe get a modular garden room for office/playroom

We had 3 under 7 in one room before we bought our own place. 7&5 year olds on bunk beds and youngest in cot until we moved when he was 3.
We had those pull out containers under their bed for clothes, one single wardrobe with drawers for uniform, coats and stuff.
Toys were mostly downstairs under the stairs unless they took the odd piece to play upstairs.
Nappy changing and baby stuff under the cot.
I had a cloth shelving thing hanging on the inside of bathroom door for extra loo rolls, towels and toiletries.
A tall larder unit in the kitchen/diner to store everything from tinned food to craft and painting kits.
A small shed in the back yard which had outdoor toys and the tumble dryer in it.

Infomral sharing arrangements with neighbours- one of you has a lawnmower, one has a drill etc. Only works if you get on but it's been great for us.