When we were 5, we had a room just like this -- only it wasn't a closet, it was the entry hallway. In a space about 4 feet by 6 feet, our bed, one dresser and a whole lot of shelves were stuffed in and became our new bedroom. Cozy and comfortable, it was akin to having a bigger playhouse -- a space truly our own. In the recent New York Times' article "Move Up? Move Out? Families Squeeze In", Samatha Storey writes about several families who, when faced with lack of space, came up with some creative solutions.
Move Up? Move Out? Families Squeeze In
The article features four families in New York and San Francisco who chose to stay in their big city, even if space was an issue. Storey writes, "In most parts of the country, Dr. Stephen Shaw, an internist, and his wife, Bobbi Avery, a labor nurse, and their two young children would probably live in a three- or four-bedroom house with a yard. But like a growing number of well-off families, they have decided to remain in Manhattan, even though it means squeezing into a one-bedroom rental in the West Village. It costs them $3,995 a month, an amount that would allow them to rent a four-bedroom house in a suburb like Short Hills, N.J."
According to Andrew A. Beveridge, a demographer, the number of white-collar families living in one bedroom apartments in Manhattan has increased 31%, so arrangements like the ones featured in the article are not uncommon. The Shaw and Avery household has a queen-size bed, a toddler bed and a crib in their one bedroom. Other families, like that of Dina Weiss and Jason Severs, have entirely given up their bedroom to their children. Their two children sleep in their former bedroom while Dina and Jason sleep in an 8-by-9-foot closet which now features a wall of built-ins and a queen-size bed.
The Mason family in San Francisco converted a breakfast nook into their son's nursery, and the Unkenholz Sutton family made over a walk-in closet and laundry room into a bedroom for their daughter. More and more, this is a common occurrence.
Have you made inventive use of your current space, like the families in this article? What do you think?
To read the entire article, and to see more photographs, visit the New York Times' Web site.
Photos by Heidi Schumann and Tina Fineberg for The New York Times.
Comments (8)
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Thanks for sharing this article. I completely identify with these families, as my husband and I have chosen to stay in the city instead of heading out to the suburbs. We both reject the popular notion that suburbs are where childhood happens, and we feel that the expansive world the city will provide is worth more than a few extra bedrooms. It creates some challenges as far as space goes, but it's completely worth it.
view hyacinthine's profile
I enjoyed this - we moved from DC to just outside of the city and even then, our house is only 1680 sq. feet. We'd like to stay in the area for a few more years but will have to "squeeze" in the additions to our family. So this was very helpful - thanks!
Tabitha - http://www.fromsingletomarried.com
view Tabitha (From Single to Married)'s profile
when growing up we had 6 people (4 adults and 2 kids) in the 3 room apt (and 1 of the rooms was completely, I mean it, hidden behind the piles of books)! We could not afford to buy an apartment. My sis and I had a bunk bed. At some point we had a bed in the 16 sq.m kitchen for our great grand mother. So, I personally find those articles pathetic as there are people who HAVE TO live small, and there are people who can afford, but chose not to, and get all the attention. It's just wrong, IMHO.
view Nudik's profile
I think it is more about a change in culture than an attack on people faced with poverty. Just a way of showing that we don't "need" a huge amount of space to live in with a family. American culture seems to think bigger is better for almost everything, especially housing. Smaller living environments actually promote closeness in families, save on heating costs and reduce carbon footprints. While I hate that anyone would be forced into a small space by poverty, I am glad to see others making it a concious choice.
view KellyBelly's profile
I can completely relate. I live in a 1 bedroom apartment with my husband and son. We managed to convert a long entrance hallway by adding a sliding door to create a 5'x 11' bedroom. It's amazing what you can do with space that narrow. We we able to squeeze in a twin loft bed from Ikea and use the space underneath the bed for storage space for toys and a small dresser next to the bed. It's very cozy and my son loves it. I think utilizing every space in a home is much more efficient and certainly brings a family closer together.
view brooklynnest's profile
8x9' closet?? That's the size of our second bedroom.
view threesquare's profile
I loved the article- we moved into a 1bd house (in a great old neighborhood) when our son was one, to save money while my husband finishes his degree... then his baby sister arrived, and we had to get really creative! At first we had everyone's beds in the one bedroom, but now we have our bed in the living room (like a daybed on steroids) and the kids have the bedroom to themselves.
We are lucky- we have a small yard for the kids to play in, a garage for storage, and many locally owned businesses (and a farmer's market) within walking distance. As much as we'd love more space, there's just no way we could afford a bigger house in this area. So we make do... and I'll admit, as tight as it is, I'm gonna miss this little place!
view SeattleMama's profile
I remember what a pain have been when me and my family moved away. So many things to do, to count, not to lose something and a lot of work. But then it was the enthusiasm of being in a new better house so it kind of compensate everything. I remember I took steroids
in that period to face the situation.
view JoeAnna's profile