Hello everyone and happy Wednesday!

Our Downsizing Journey: An Honest Three-Year Update on Small Home Living

It’s wonderful to connect with you all today, especially as I delve into a highly anticipated topic: an update on our life in our beloved, downsized home. This post has been in my thoughts for quite some time, and a recent feature on Architectural Digest provided the perfect impetus to finally share our story.

The Architectural Digest piece harked back to the very early days of our downsizing journey, capturing some raw emotions. I recalled a particular estate sale outing with my mom, where walking through a grand, sprawling house stirred a fleeting sense of “large house envy.” While those feelings were temporary, they were a natural part of navigating such a significant life change. That experience, revisited through the feature, truly cemented my desire to share a comprehensive update with you now, three years into our bungalow adventure.

I did share an update after our first year in this charming little bungalow, but after three years, so much more has evolved. It’s definitely time for a deeper dive. For those new to our community, let’s quickly revisit the foundational reasons behind our decision to downsize. For our returning friends, it’s a good refresh of the journey that led us here.

Why We Chose to Downsize: A Quest for a Different Life

In the spring of 2014, my family and I made a pivotal decision: to transition from our larger, builder-grade tract house to something significantly smaller and more aligned with our values. At the time, the exact blueprint for our future home wasn’t crystal clear, but the urge for a profound change was undeniable. A major catalyst was the undeniable truth that we simply weren’t utilizing much of the expansive space in our previous home.

Our old house boasted a formal living room, a formal dining room, a separate family room, and a generously sized eat-in kitchen designed to accommodate a ten-person table. Yet, the formal areas remained largely untouched and, in fact, unfurnished throughout the three years we lived there. When we initially purchased that home, our children were quite young, and we envisioned needing ample space for them to grow into. However, as they matured, a clear realization dawned on us: we didn’t actually need all that space. Instead of fostering connection, the excess square footage seemed to create distance, with family members often retreating to their separate corners of the house.

Our children were also a significant driving force behind our decision to downsize. At the time, they were 12 and 7 years old, and we began to observe a concerning trend of entitlement, particularly in our daughter. Living in an affluent area where many of her friends resided in large homes and drove fancy cars, she began to perceive this as the standard – the very definition of success. It became imperative for us to gently, yet firmly, redirect their understanding of what truly constitutes a rich and fulfilling life. We wanted them to internalize the profound lesson that bigger does not inherently mean better, and that genuine success and achievement are not measured by the size or opulence of one’s home.

When we collaboratively outlined our vision for our next home, the wish list was surprisingly concise and focused. We sought a property no larger than approximately 1500 square feet. Our current residence at the time measured around 2400 square feet, featuring four bedrooms and three bathrooms. For our future home, we aimed for three bedrooms and two bathrooms, and crucially, we longed for an older home that exuded character and presented an opportunity for a little tender loving care – a place we could truly imbue with our own spirit and design.

Finding “The Cottage Bungalow”: A Home with Heart (and a Compromise)

The moment I stepped through the front door of what we now affectionately call “thecottagebungalow,” I knew, with absolute certainty, that it was the one. It instantly felt right, whispering promises of a simpler, more connected life. Naomi, however, needed a bit more convincing. Her primary concern revolved around the home’s layout: just two bedrooms and a single bathroom. In fact, the absence of a second bathroom was almost a deal-breaker for her; she initially didn’t even want to view the house.

Thankfully, I managed to persuade her to approach it with an open mind. As we explored the charming spaces and absorbed the unique ambiance, she, too, began to see the undeniable potential hidden within its walls. That shared vision, even with its inherent compromises, became the foundation of our new chapter.

Life in Our Downsized Home: The Unmistakable Joys

Now that we’ve spent a few years establishing our roots here, how do we truly feel about our decision? Let’s start with the myriad of positives that have profoundly enriched our lives:

1. The Perfect Footprint (Almost)

I describe our home as the perfect size, though with one important caveat: we ideally need one more bedroom and an additional bathroom. The current absence of a dedicated master bedroom and bathroom is, admittedly, a practical challenge. However, if our existing square footage simply accommodated a three-bedroom, two-bathroom layout, it would be absolutely flawless. So, it’s not about needing more space, but rather a more functional distribution of the space we already have.

2. Cleaning is a Breeze, Not a Burden

One of the most immediate and tangible benefits of downsizing is the drastic reduction in cleaning time. We can now thoroughly clean our entire home, from top to bottom, in a mere couple of hours. This stands in stark contrast to our previous house, where a full cleaning session could easily consume an entire day, feeling like an endless chore. This efficiency frees up precious time for family activities, hobbies, and relaxation.

3. Embracing Character and Timeless Charm

There’s an undeniable magic to old houses. Our bungalow, built in 1940, is imbued with original details that continuously bring us immense joy. From the architectural nuances to the craftsmanship of yesteryear, these elements contribute a soul and character that modern, builder-grade homes often lack. It’s not just a house; it’s a piece of history that we get to live in and appreciate every day.

4. A Community That Feels Like Family

Our neighbors here are, without exaggeration, truly amazing. Our new neighborhood embodies an ‘old school’ charm, where many residents are original homeowners or have inherited their homes. Within just one week of moving in, every single person on our street took the time to introduce themselves and warmly welcome us. This genuine sense of community made a profound impression on me and is something I know we will deeply miss if we ever move. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to our previous neighborhood, where only two neighbors ever spoke to us during our three years there. This connection fosters a feeling of belonging and mutual support that is invaluable.

5. Fostering Intentional Living and Mindful Consumption

Living in a smaller home inherently forces a heightened sense of intentionality. With limited space, every item brought into our home must serve a genuine purpose or evoke true joy. This philosophy has transformed our relationship with possessions, encouraging us to be incredibly selective and to declutter regularly. It’s a continuous practice of mindful consumption, ensuring our home remains a sanctuary rather than a storage unit for unused items.

6. A Stronger, More Connected Family Unit

The adage “small homes make close families” rings incredibly true for us. Our downsized space has naturally brought us closer, both physically and emotionally. We now spend significantly more time together, engaging in shared activities and conversations, simply because there are fewer separate corners to retreat into. This increased proximity has fostered deeper bonds, more open communication, and a stronger sense of togetherness that we cherish profoundly.

7. Unprecedented Financial Freedom and Peace of Mind

This is undeniably one of the most impactful benefits of our downsizing journey. Our mortgage is incredibly affordable, offering us a level of financial freedom we hadn’t experienced before. We were even able to comfortably transition to a single-income household without any financial strain regarding our mortgage payments. For full transparency, our monthly mortgage payment is a mere $1050 – a figure that is almost unbelievable in California! As someone who works in property management, I can tell you that a one-bedroom apartment in my community starts at over $1200 per month. To be paying significantly less for a character-filled home than the average rent for a single apartment is truly remarkable and a huge source of peace of mind.

8. This House Simply Feels Like HOME

Beyond all the practical benefits, there’s an intangible warmth and coziness about this house that makes it unequivocally feel like home. It perfectly encapsulates “us.” Interestingly, we’ve found ourselves hosting more guests, often for extended stays, since we moved here. A common sentiment shared by all our visiting friends and family is, “We love this house so much more than the last one!” We wholeheartedly agree. It possesses an inviting, authentic charm that our previous, larger home lacked, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable and welcome.

Navigating the Challenges: The Tough Adjustments of Small Home Living

While the positives far outweigh the negatives, our downsizing journey hasn’t been without its share of adjustments and compromises. Here are some of the areas we’ve found particularly tough to navigate:

1. The Need for a Dedicated Master Bedroom

As previously mentioned, our bungalow features two bedrooms and one bathroom. Our daughter currently occupies the larger bedroom, leaving Naomi and me to utilize a room that was originally a den as our makeshift bedroom. Its location directly off the dining room means a significant lack of privacy, which isn’t ideal for a primary sleeping space. We genuinely miss the concept of a dedicated, private master suite.

2. The Single Bathroom Struggle

This is arguably the most significant daily challenge we face in this home. While I personally find it less problematic, sharing a single bathroom among two adult women, a teenage girl, and a tweenage boy is undeniably tricky. The morning rush, the endless rotation, and the constant demand for space can test everyone’s patience. Naomi, in particular, finds this arrangement incredibly frustrating, and we constantly wish for the convenience and privacy of a second bathroom.

3. A Smaller Dining Area for a Lover of Entertaining

If the single bathroom is Naomi’s biggest frustration, the dining area is mine. I absolutely adore entertaining guests and hosting dinner parties, but our current dining space is incredibly compact. It breaks my heart that I can’t accommodate a large dining table, nor host the kind of grand dinner gatherings we enjoyed in our previous home. We’ve learned to be creative with our arrangements and menus, but it remains a difficult adjustment for me, as entertaining is such a cherished part of our lifestyle.

4. The Lack of a Dedicated Guest Space

Ironically, since we downsized, we seem to have attracted even more overnight guests, often staying for several days at a time. While we absolutely cherish these visits, the logistics become quite tricky without a dedicated guest room. Naomi and I don’t even have a true master bedroom ourselves! Typically, guests end up sleeping on the sofa, or one of our children graciously gives up their bed. We are actively researching sleeper sofa options, believing this will be the most practical solution for our limited space, but I genuinely miss the ease and comfort of having a proper guest room as we did in our previous home.

5. The Never-Ending List of Projects

Anyone who owns an older home can likely relate: the projects truly never cease! While I genuinely love design and the process of working on our home, it sometimes feels like as soon as one project is completed, three more inevitably emerge. There are moments when I wistfully recall the relative maintenance-free existence of our former, newer home. This bungalow, with all its charming character, definitely keeps us on our toes and our tools busy!

Reflections on Our Downsizing Journey: A Transformative Choice

And there you have it – an honest, comprehensive look at our life three years after making the leap to a smaller home. When all is said and done, the positives that this transformative journey has brought into our lives far outweigh the challenges. If faced with the decision again, we would, without a shadow of a doubt, still choose to downsize. The core values and lifestyle changes it has enabled are simply too precious to forgo.

Would we, however, choose this exact house again? Probably not. Living here for an extended period has highlighted that the absence of a third bedroom and a second bathroom are significant practical hurdles. While we certainly make it work, and life here is genuinely good, we wouldn’t intentionally opt for this specific configuration again. As I emphasized earlier, if our current square footage simply encompassed three bedrooms and two bathrooms, I would be absolutely, unequivocally content.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll reiterate it with even greater conviction: choosing to downsize into a smaller home has been an incredibly wonderful and enriching experience for our family and our overall lifestyle. It is, however, not a universal solution, and that is perfectly okay. This journey has profoundly shaped so many of our actions and the way we approach daily life. It has compelled us to redefine our understanding of “home” and “space” in a completely different, more mindful way.

Looking ahead, I don’t know if we could ever return to living in a large house again. And even if the opportunity arose, I’m genuinely not sure we would even want to. Our downsized life, with all its beautiful imperfections, has taught us the true meaning of home, connection, and contentment.

Until next time, friends – may your homes be filled with joy and purpose!