Introducing Small House Living

Next year we are officially launching a new feature to the blog called Small House Living. I’m sharing now because I suck at keeping secrets and I want y’all to be as excited as we are about this upcoming project. You see, we live in a small house. Not a tiny house, but a small house. Coming in at just under 1,000 square feet (not including the unfinished basement) it has been challenging living here at times.

Of course, the internet hasn’t helped matters. It is HARD seeing all the huge, beautiful, gorgeous homes on Pinterest and other blogs. I love how bright and airy those homes look and then when I look around my small 70’s style home I get that sinking feeling in my gut like I just don’t measure up.

Well, I had a little “come to jesus” meeting with myself and said enough moping about your house. You can’t have larger because you like to travel too much AND you really hate cleaning. I decided that the time has come to embrace my small house living and finally, after 20+ years, make this house more of a home. Well, that or too much HGTV has finally brainwashed me into thinking everything needs a big old makeover. Either way we are spending lots of time next year on the house. Downside, less travel for me, but in the end it will be worth it.

Alan and I have walked through each room of our small house and made a wish list of everything we want to accomplish in it. Some of the rooms have a long list, others are short and sweet, which gives us a great balance.

We’ve already started working on the kitchen. We’ve replaced our cabinet knobs and painted the kitchen sink shelf (thanks to Dixie Belle Paint). We actually had the kitchen slated for January but then I decided that the kitchen really needs to be gutted and updated in a major way. I broke that news to Alan this morning. He took it fairly well although it will probably take him a couple days to be completely onboard with the changes.

Check back in January to watch as we start to transform and fix up the house to modern standards. We’ll be sharing how-to’s, including vidoes, tips and tricks and how we are embracing small house living on a budget.

TENTATIVE SMALL HOUSES LIVING FIXER UPPER SCHEDULE

KITCHEN (This is the room that needs the most updating)

• Remove soffit
• Replace upper cabinets with shelves
• Replace counter tops
• Paint lower cabinets, replace hinges
• Move fridge & extend countertop
• Paint ceiling fixture
• Replace trash bin
• Create an organization system for herbs, spices and food
• Tentative budget: $400

DINING ROOM

• Replace dining room table —COMPLETE 12/2016
• Replace drapes
• Replace sliding glass door with French Doors
• Move white cabinet
• Find art work for the wall
• Tentative 2017 budget: $300

LIVING ROOM

• Replace furniture
• Replace drapes
• Create media center
• Tentative budget: $2500 I anticipate this being our most expensive month due to furniture replacement.

BATHROOM (by the way, smallest bathroom on the planet!)

• Paint
• Replace toilet
• Replace ceiling fan
• Replace tub surround OR convert to shower only (still undecided)
• Possible create between the studs shelving
• Tentative budget: $350-$600

GUEST BEDROOM 1

• Paint
• Add curtain
• Bedding, nightstand, floor lamp
• Tentative budget: $200

GUEST BEDROOM 2

• Paint
• Curtain
• Floor lamp
• Tentative budget: $150

MASTER BEDROOM

• Paint
• Replace flooring
• Curtains
• Matching nightstands
• Dresser
• Closet remodel
• Tentative budget: $800

OFFICE/ENTRY WAY

• Steam carpets
• Entry way organization system for shoes/coats
• Desk organization
• Tentative budget $200

THREE SEASON ROOM/DECK

• Add screens
• Finish interior
• Add outdoor rug
• Tentative budget: $200

BASEMENT

• Drywall/paint
• Deep clean
• Tentative budget: $150

Anticipated budget for the entire project: $5,250