I watch a lot of House Hunters on HGTV because I like to see how the rest of the world lives (HH International is addictive). Whenever I encounter an episode with a hunter squealing about closets or demanding more space or a second sink in the master en suite bathroom, I want to hold their hand and tell them it will be OK. You CAN live with less closet space, and one sink? Try one bathroom.
I know it’s very Judgy McJudgmental of me, and that three or four years ago I’d be demanding and squealing about the same things. But after a year of living in the fabulously old fabulous house with less closet space than I had in the college dorms and only one bathroom and one pedestal sink, I realize it’s not that hard to get used to the limited space. I think more judiciously about what goes into and stays in my closet, and the Modern Love Machine and I have gotten accustomed to notifying one another when we’ll be occupying the bathroom for an extended period of time.
It’s kind of like this, but I’ve never spit toothpaste on the MLM:
I’m with you! We have teeny, tiny closets (2) and 1 small bathroom/laundry room. We make it work and we’re pretty happy with the smaller space. If we had children I could see us wanting a bit more room, though.
Absolutely valid point that I wish I had made. Kids do come with a lot of stuff, it seems.
I ADORE House Hunters and HH International, but HH International does get annoying after awhile when American after American keeps complaining about the lack of space in other countries, as if they honestly expect to have their McMansion-size home, just in another country.
There’s really something to be said for downsizing and learning to appreciate having less.
I love both of those shows too. After moving from Dallas where everything is super-size and I had a closet that was 11′ by 10′ (yes, I realize that is the size of a bedroom in other parts of the country and world) to the Northeast where my closet is a fraction of that size, I took it as an opportunity to really downsize and only keep what I truly loved. It forces me to be more mindful of what I buy and the clothing I really love. Now I’m much more into “double duty” pieces that can be paired with other pieces to make multiple outfits. I’m also into “ladder hangers” for pants as a space saving measure. There are some things I really love that I can’t do without like my Dyson that will always present a space challenge!
I’m with you. What is up with the double sink obsession? We talk about that when we watch HH all the time. We are never getting ready at the same time anyway. We have 2 bathrooms, but both are small (the master is the smallest) and both have pedestal sinks. Never been a problem.
I am also an HGTV addict and I agree. Some of the House Hunters people and their demands are out of control. I get wanting a second bathroom but it’s all about priorities when searching for a house. Plus, having one bathroom is not the worst thing, seriously.
Yes, but buying a house with only one bathroom is a huge mistake if you ever intend to sell it. True story, so say the real estate professionals. 🙂