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First things first, it might feel like no amount of space is enough when you’ve got kids at home. It doesn’t matter how mansion-like your house is. When you’ve got tiny munchkins with excessive energy to waste and a thousand tricks up their sleeve, you will always need more space. This can be an even bigger issue if you’ve got a house that is on the smaller size — unless you’re smart about it. Is there a way to raise kids in a small place without feeling cramped? The answer is yes. Read on to know about some clever hacks to make your small space seem bigger for you and your kids!
Get Rid Of The Clutter
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If you’re a hoarder — and most of us are, it’s time to kick your hoarding habit goodbye. Spend an entire day getting rid of unnecessary items in the house. Right from the chair that no one sits on to the clock that hasn’t worked for ages, throw them all out. Decluttering your space isn’t just good for your house; it is good for your health as well. Believe it or not, research has been conducted on clutter, and the conclusion is that excessive clutter in your house can increase the level of cortisol in your body, which can raise your stress levels (1). You’ll be surprised how much space all the unwanted items in your house can take. If it isn’t helpful to you and won’t be in the long run, you don’t need it.
Memorializing Can Take The Backseat
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Once you’ve thrown the clutter away, there’s something else you need to come to terms with — stop memorializing everything. Yes, your child’s drawing is precious, but you don’t have to keep them all. Instead, make a memory box for yourself. You can store a few treasured items in it. If you find it too hard to get rid of a few things too close to the heart, you can donate them. This way, you’re helping someone in need.
Opt For Dark Shades
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Children can be messy, and if your space is too small, things can get messy really fast. To handle this problem, you can opt for items on the darker side of the color spectrum. For example, get curtains that don’t show stains easily. Try to paint the kid’s room or play area in a darker shade as well. Instead of white furniture, opt for mahogany or dark brown.
Explore The World Outside
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There’s a whole world out there beyond your door. Make it a point to enjoy the great outdoors with your children. If you live in an apartment complex or your space is too tiny, use this as a reason to take your kids to the park. It might feel too cramped at some point if you stay indoors always — it doesn’t matter if your house is big or small. If you’re too busy during the weekdays, make it like a weekday thing. Stick to this plan at all costs, even if going out, simply means making a trip to buy groceries.
Call Dibs On The Smaller Rooms
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As parents, we think we are entitled to have the master bedroom. There’s nothing wrong with that, except it makes a little more sense to switch places, particularly if you have more than one kid. Kids will enjoy the space that comes with the master bedroom, and you will enjoy the intimacy that comes with the smaller room — it’s a win-win for all!
We’ve been told that bigger is better, but that’s not necessarily true. Sometimes, you can make the best of what you have and still be happy. You don’t have to worry about space if you make use of these good hacks. And at the end of the day, you can still have a smile on your face knowing that no matter how big or small your house, it only becomes a home when you have your loved ones around. Have you been raising kids in a small space? Tell us how it’s going in the comments below!
