Our home is functioning a little bit differently these days. Yours too? :) When we are all at home all day every day, I feel like it's important for everyone to be able to find a space of her/his own. It also feels important to not have to stay in the same space all day. And we need space for some extra things (like a home office for my partner).
Our house isn't big + it's not small either. The four of us do most of our living in 1000 square feet (with another 300 square feet downstairs). My preference would be to just have the 1000 square feet, but it was impossible to find that when we moved here + the downstairs is necessary for tornados. The space we have is a privilege. I feel like keeping the amount of furniture we own limited allows our spaces to adapt more easily. Space is what I crave most...space to move...space to breathe, so less stuff is always optimal.
In the years we've lived here, our downstairs space has shifted from craft/hangout space to yoga space to its current iteration: home office for my partner. When we first moved here, I envisioned it as a space for my girls to have friends over + for craft projects. We outfitted it with a Craigslist couch + big table with a leaf for crafting or studying with friends. As their hangouts moved out of the house, we (re)Craigslist-ed the furniture and left the space open for yoga mats + calm lighting. This open space allowed for a quick transformation to home office. My partner was able to bring a desk + office chair (+ a whole lot of other stuff) home from work. :)
Our house isn't big + it's not small either. The four of us do most of our living in 1000 square feet (with another 300 square feet downstairs). My preference would be to just have the 1000 square feet, but it was impossible to find that when we moved here + the downstairs is necessary for tornados. The space we have is a privilege. I feel like keeping the amount of furniture we own limited allows our spaces to adapt more easily. Space is what I crave most...space to move...space to breathe, so less stuff is always optimal.
In the years we've lived here, our downstairs space has shifted from craft/hangout space to yoga space to its current iteration: home office for my partner. When we first moved here, I envisioned it as a space for my girls to have friends over + for craft projects. We outfitted it with a Craigslist couch + big table with a leaf for crafting or studying with friends. As their hangouts moved out of the house, we (re)Craigslist-ed the furniture and left the space open for yoga mats + calm lighting. This open space allowed for a quick transformation to home office. My partner was able to bring a desk + office chair (+ a whole lot of other stuff) home from work. :)
Now that we've lost our yoga space, I've rolled up the rug in the living room, pushed the couch back, and left a big open space for yoga mats to come + go throughout the day. We have enough room in our bedrooms to roll out a mat, but sometimes it's nice to practice together or with a little bit more space + the ceiling fan blowing. The floor here is also a good place to lay out a puzzle that can be slowly + periodically worked (now that we don't have a dog or a little one around to disturb it). :)
As in most homes, the kitchen table is a place to gather for meals + all the rest...art, work, snacks, projects, tea + conversation. These are the days when we can often open the screen door nearby + feel the sun + breeze as we work, play or eat at the table...together or alone.
My girls have always enjoyed the sanctuary of their bedrooms. They each have desks, enjoy sitting on their comfy beds + sit on the floor sometimes too. My bedroom gets beautiful, southern light + provides me with a little space throughout the day as well. I prefer to sew + sometimes work at the desk in my bedroom. While I could sew at the kitchen table, I like that I don't have to move my projects for every meal...and that I don't have to worry about crumbs becoming part of my project either. :)
The outdoors is another space we can use at this time of year when it's not too cold + not too hot or buggy. I've tried having outdoor furniture, but over time it has become our indoor furniture. We find it easy enough to just move a chair from the kitchen table in + out as desired. We also have a couple of camping/beach chairs to do the same with.
I'm glad that we have a space where we can come together + also find a little solitude these days. I'm so grateful for this simple home.
Love,
Jane
The outdoors is another space we can use at this time of year when it's not too cold + not too hot or buggy. I've tried having outdoor furniture, but over time it has become our indoor furniture. We find it easy enough to just move a chair from the kitchen table in + out as desired. We also have a couple of camping/beach chairs to do the same with.
I'm glad that we have a space where we can come together + also find a little solitude these days. I'm so grateful for this simple home.
Love,
Jane
