How small is too small?
By Nykkee
@Nykkee (2522)
Canada
June 1, 2007 7:45am CST
My husband and I recently wen to looks at a house for sale. The price is right, it has a nice piece of land, and is solidly built, but it is very small. The house it 800 square feet, total, over two floors. The bedrooms are in the basement, and the livingroom kitchen combination, bathroon and laundry are upstairs. We have a cat and a large dog. My dog has lived in smaller spaces with me before and I think that the private yard should compensate her for the lack of space inside because all she does is lay around and sleep anyhow. However, I am just a little worried still about the size. My husband and I are relatively small people, I am 5 feet tall and he is about 5 foot 6 inches, so we ourselves don't take up alot of space, but we couldn;t have anymore than 2 people visit us at a time or the house would be seriously cramped. So the question is, in your opinion, is 800 square feet too little space for 2 adults, a dog and a cat? Would you judge someone because thier home was smaller than yours, or the average home? What do you think of the new trend (I saw it on TV) of people buying smaller spaces so they can afford to make them nicer? Please let me know what you think. In addition, what the hell ever happened to that line of furniture IKEA used to carry specifically designed for small spaces? Di they discontinue it or an I just suffering from selectuve blindness while searching thier site?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
1 Jun 07
I agree withthe above poster. Don't worry about what other people think...go with what works for you!
My boyfriend and I will be moving into a place around the same size so I understand the need and desire for "small area living" ideas. The IKEA website has these little tutorials that show you how to make the most of your space. You have to do a little digging...but I found some tips for cooking and eating in a small space by going here:
http://www.ikea.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=12&langId=-1&catalogId=10103&cattype=top&identifier=00014_irwtree003
Abd then scrolling down to the "tips and ideas section" on the left. Maybe they have this for bedrooms and living rooms too?
I hope to go to IKEA this weekend in fact, so start working out some storage plans.
Are you a person who loves having people over? If so I think the idea of building on a deck or patio is a great one. That is something you can ask your relator about. Good Luck!
@Nykkee (2522)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
Hey, thanks for the tip on the IKEA page. Do you find that they have become significantly more expensive over the years? I do. The house actually has a small covered deck in the back large enough for a barbaque and a table and chairs. We are not big entertainers but we both have big families that live locally and will eventually want to visit. Unfortunatly Christmas holidays are when we have the most people over and that's kind of an indoors only season here but I think we can get around it by staggering the arrival and departure of guests if we have to. I think what I will probably do after just checking out the prices of some things today is buy second hand and fix things up, I like to have real wood furniture and it's just too expensive brnad new.
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
1 Jun 07
The "Open House" plan for Parties is pretty good. You can stagger the comings and goings of your guests. Of course you may have those people who stay the whole time, but it's worth a shot. That's what I hope to do when I have a house warming party some day.
1 person likes this
@margieanneart (26423)
• United States
19 Jun 07
Hoeny, go with what you are comfortable with, and what you can afford. Do not be concerned what anyone else has to say about it, as it isn't their business.
I do think that 800 sq.feet is small, from a realestate view, it will reflect a lot on the price when you try to resell it. But, good luck and do what you and your hubby want to do. God bless, M&M
1 person likes this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
I live in Toronto (Etobicoke) and moved here from a smaller city. You cannot imagine the shock I suffered to see how small the condos are, especially the new ones. Houses are out of the question. The average price is now $ 300 000.
Anyway to get back to your question. Your little house sounds charming. Having moved to a much smaller space I have learned that organization and decluttering makes life bearable and enjoyable in a smaller space. You can still find great ideas at Ikea especially for storage.
Since you have a large lot you may want to build on to your house at a later date, or simply build a nice patio if you want to have a large group over. You need to watch the weather forecast though in case it rains and you have 30 people in your yard. Lol what would you do!
Your dog may want to stay outside during the summer. You could build him a nice dog house where she could snooze during the day and you could bring her in at night.
Anyway do not worry what other people think, the main thing is to enjoy what you have and can afford.
@Nykkee (2522)
• Canada
1 Jun 07
Thanks for your input. Wow, I am so glad I don't live in Toronto, we are in Nova Scotia, but even around here the real estate prices have been sky rocketing. I never tie my dog out ever, she hates it, she was raised in apartments in the city, she is more like a hairy child than a dog, she hs preferences about television programming and everything. My concern is not for her happiness, I expect her to pee and then pass out when she sees the yard and the trees, we have never had a year that she can play in, my concern about her was that, I don't tie her out and it's not an option so she and the cat are constantly sharing the space with us (I don't let my cat outside either). See I am a super-protective pet-parent, the thought of either of them being outdoors alone for even a few minutes makes me feel sick, there are too many dangers outside for domesticated animals.
@daycarepal (1998)
• United States
19 Jun 07
If you like the house and the location and the price is also right. Then it sounds like it might be a good move for you. Since there is a nice piece of property, you could possibly add on to the house in the future if you felt like you needed more space.
1 person likes this
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
8 Jun 07
I always think of houses like that as Chocolate Box Cottages. I'm not really sure how small exactly 800 feet is, but if you have 2 floors and 2 bedrooms, you might be able to manage, maybe as a starter?
I wouldn' look down on someone for the size of their house. I bet you could do a lot with it andd it looks like a lovely setting. Is that where those freaky wasps and leeches live? It looks gorgeous, other than the creepy crawlies!
1 person likes this
@321633wy (1795)
• United States
8 Jun 07
800 squer feet for two afult ,and two pets is just perfect.As i don't see anything wrong with it.
I only say it's too small if you have 2 kids and 2 pets,that's my opinion.Regardless what people think about the size of your house as long as you feel confortable ,you don't have worry about what people say.You can't satisfied every body and you don't have to.People like to give comment and judgement it's very common.
I will never insult peoplea because they leave in small house,i love them as my friends nomatter they leave.
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