Can you live long term in a one bedroom flat?

[smosha]

If there are two of you? Aware that some people may not have a choice, but say you do, is it realistic to be able to live in a one bed flat in the long term?

Not for me I need my own bedroom.

We did for 3 years with 2 kids while saving a deposit for a bigger house! Not ideal but an amazing motivator for saving. I spent a lot of time outside with the dc 😂

It depends.

For me it would need additional entertaining space, at least a separate dining room for our dinner parties and a conservatory for breakfasting. I assume it has a en-suite and separate main bathroom? We would definitely need two bathrooms.

yes, of course - especially if you work outside of the home. If you wfh, that’s more difficult.

😂😂 Most of us manage just fine without a conservatory for breakfasting, even in houses.

We did for years, and only moved because I was pregnant and DH’s job moved locations and then threatened to make everyone work from the office. This was pre Covid. We both worked from home before then; and it was fine.

We shared a bedroom, and had a kitchen; living room and bathroom. We had a shared garden, technically, but it was more of a patch of grass in front of the car parking spaces and garages. We did have a quick nice walk to town; and two parks nearby.

We were convinced by people that we absolutely needed more room for a baby, but I don’t think we did really, except for where he’d sleep now!

This really made me laugh. Do you think you are talking about the same sort of place that the OP is talking about?

I agree that it depends, but more on the kitchen/dining space/living area being a decent size, ie not tiny, enough for these three areas to be distinct.

Preferably at least one storage cupboard for vacuum cleaner, coats, shoes etc too. Also no-one needing a proper WFH set up or has loads of stuff or things like bikes unless outside storage is available.

Also depends on lifestyle. If it's a choice between a two bed or a one bed and more disposable income that you'd like to be available for holidays, theatre etc, you might be fine with the smaller place that's only really somewhere to sleep and keep your stuff.

Requiring a separate dining room, conservatory and two bathrooms for a couple is such a typically ridiculous MN answer.

i assume it’s a couple? Yes, it’s possible and DH and I did it for quite a while at the very beginning. I think it depends on the size of the flat, the bigger it is the easier it is . It makes wfh difficult but not impossible. We both worked with paperwork at home but went to the office for meetings. It was olden times with no Teams or Zoom. 😆
It is different if it’s a parent and a child.

Yes a couple. No, only one bathroom which is en suite. Separate kitchen but dining table is in living room. No outside space.

🤣🤣🤣
are you sure you don’t need an office for your hard work from home?

Is there a space for small breakfast table in the kitchen?
How big are the rooms? Can you put their sizes?

Depends on the size and layout of the flat, whether either or both wfh and if there are children or any are planned.

My DD lives in what was once a large and airy one bedroom flat with a decent hallway and storage, that had had the attic converted into two bedrooms and another bathroom prior to their purchase. The original layout of just the lower floor would have been very workable long term for a couple without children.

Her brother lived in an awkwardly converted small one bed with his gf, with zero storage, both wfh over lockdown - not at all a comfortable situation and only marginally better than their previous studio.

We lived in a one bedroom flat for 5 years ( plus dog ) , even having his two children come stay for the holidays and we were fine

It was a proper flat where there was a separate kitchen with a huge lounge/diner, so very defined areas. I dont think we would have managed in one of these new style where its just one big living space

We moved to a two up two down which did us for 10 years, then we moved to a house which has a conservatory to breakfast in and 3 ensuite bathrooms and family bathroom , large bar and playroom to entertain in - and Im sick of the ruddy size of it !!!

🙄

Depends on the people really

If either is a hoarder then you will run out of space fast

You are mostly going out to socialise not hosting large sit down meals

If yiu have children is gets tricky once they are past toddler ages when the en-suite bathroom would be a problem

Separate kitchen is nice

We live in 2 bedroom flat as a couple. To be honest the spare room is just a dumping ground and a place to hang washing. We would be OK in a one bedroom, but would gave to do a serious declutter. However we both work out of the home.

We lived in a 2 bed flat for years pre marriage and children and we didnt use the 2nd bedroom at all. It had a pool table in it and a dart board 🤣🤣 and we rarely ventured in. 1 bathroom. No conservatory to breakfast in or en suite. Just a small kitchen. A very tiny shaded veranda and a living room. Rented and Managed for 4 years till we bought our first house.

Also a tiny,ground floor bedroom for the woman who cleans your teeth.

Depends what you call long term, we did 5 years and found it tough towards the end

@StripedTomatoes @determinedtomakethiswork @pizzaHeart @Kitkat1523 @WickedSerious

For the avoidance of doubt, my post was tongue in cheek. The OP is the one wondering if she could possible cope in a one bedroom flat when there's only the two of them!

😆

We did pre children, only moved when I was 6 months pregnant with our first. It's definitely doable but I think you need to be able to be very minimalist, any kind of clutter stressed me out because there wasn't enough space. We didn't ever host anyone because again there wasn't enough room and we spent most of the weekends out of the house, luckily we both worked full time so it really wasn't an issue.