Why This Small Place Works So Well for Me

The first thing people notice

When people come to my place, the first thing they usually ask is, “Where do I sleep?”

Not long after that, they usually say how spacious it feels.

That probably sounds strange for a small one-bedroom unit, but that’s the whole point of how I’ve set it up. It’s simple, compact, and it works well for the way I live.

I’m usually only home from Thursday evening through to Monday morning because I’m away on site during the week. I also have my kids most weekends, so the place needs to work for me on my own, but still feel like home for them too.

Keeping it small keeps it manageable

I don’t own a lot of things, so I don’t have a lot of clutter.

That makes a big difference. The place is easier to clean, easier to reset, and easier to live in. It’s not styled for show. This is just how I keep it. The only time it looks a bit more lived in is when the kids are here, which is exactly how it should be.

What I like most is that the space doesn’t feel crowded. Less furniture means more room to move, less visual noise, and less stuff to manage.

Why the bedroom is for the kids

It’s only a one-bedroom unit, and the bedroom belongs to my kids when they’re here.

That matters to me. I want them to feel like they have a place in this home and that they’re part of it, not just visiting for the weekend. Giving them the bedroom helps do that.

It also means I sleep in the lounge, which a lot of people probably wouldn’t choose, but for me it works.

The futon setup is worth it

I sleep on a futon that folds out each night and packs away again in the morning.

That setup won’t appeal to everyone, but I genuinely don’t mind it. It takes me about three or four minutes to make the bed, and in return I get my living space back during the day. For me, that trade is worth it every time.

The bedding lives in the top of the kids’ wardrobe, so it’s out of the way when not in use.

What surprised me most is how good the futon actually is to sleep on. After going to Japan a couple of years ago and sleeping on futons there, I noticed my back felt better than it had in a long time. That’s what made me look into getting one properly when I came home.

Since then, it’s been one of the better decisions I’ve made for the house. I sleep well on it, and I don’t wake up sore.

Space matters more than convenience

A lot of people wouldn’t want to pack up their bed every day.

I get that.

But for me, having that open space through the day matters more than the small effort it takes to fold it away. It changes how the whole place feels. It also saves me from paying for an extra room I don’t really need, which makes a difference financially as well.

That’s the kind of trade-off I’m happy with: a few minutes of setup in exchange for more space, less rent, and a layout that works better the rest of the time.

Furniture that earns its place

A big part of why this unit works is that the furniture does more than one job.

The little collapsible table beside the lounge is one of the best examples. It works as a coffee table, bedside table, side table, and general drop spot. I’m actually thinking about getting another one because it’s been that useful.

The folding table is probably my favourite piece in the whole place. It can stay out when I need it, then fold away quickly when I don’t. When the kids are here, we use it for games, Lego, and whatever else we’re doing. When I’m on my own, I can move it into the kitchen for meal prep or use it for extra bench space.

When it’s folded away, I get that room back. That space then becomes useful for drying clothes, moving around more easily, or just keeping the place feeling open.

That’s what I want from furniture now. Not more pieces. Just better ones.

Why I still keep DVDs

One thing people probably notice is that I still keep DVDs.

That’s deliberate.

I got tired of streaming services constantly changing what was available. Even when you pay for something digitally, it doesn’t really feel like you own it. DVDs are simple. I know what I’ve got, I can watch it when I want, and I’m not relying on subscriptions or internet issues.

A lot of what I watch is older stuff anyway, especially 80s shows. It’s familiar, easy to throw on, and helps me switch off at the end of the week.

Everything works better when it has a place

Probably the biggest rule in this house is that everything has a home.

That applies in the kitchen, the drawers, the storage tubs, and pretty much everywhere else. If something has a place to go, it’s much easier to keep the place tidy without having to do some big reset all the time.

The kitchen is a good example. It’s small, but it works because everything is laid out where it belongs. Same with the cupboards. Same with the tubs in the storage area. Even the messier sections are still organised enough that I know what’s there.

That system makes daily life easier. Things don’t build up as quickly, and when I do a clean before heading back to work, it’s straightforward: dishes, sweep, vacuum, mop, done.

The messy part is still real life

There is still a more practical side to the place.

The washing machine area, camping gear, work gear, home brew equipment, freezer, brewing fridge, tools, first aid kit, and all the extra odds and ends still need to live somewhere. That side of the house isn’t as neat as the main room, but even there I try to keep things grouped into tubs and categories so it stays usable.

It’s not perfect, but it works.

And that’s really the point of the whole place. I’m not trying to make it look like a display home. I’m trying to make it easy to live in.

What I still want to improve

There are still a few jobs I want to do.

I’d like to add some drawers so a few things can be stored more cleanly and out of sight. I want some lighting for the display shelf. I’d also like better storage for clothes and a few other loose items that don’t quite have the best setup yet.

None of that is urgent, but they’re the kinds of changes that would make the place work even better without changing what already works.

Why this setup suits me

This place isn’t big, but it doesn’t need to be.

It gives me what I need. It works for my routine. It works for the kids. It’s easy to maintain, and it feels calm when I’m home. That matters more to me now than having extra rooms full of things I don’t use.

For a lot of people, this setup probably wouldn’t suit them.

For me, it does.

And that’s enough.