How I think one family can live small with a baby (and it's not a Murphy Bed)
My friends' living room and current sofa
Having a blog about living in a small space with kids means I inevitably get asked by friends (and strangers) how they could live small with kids or invite me to come over and help them edit their possessions or worse, they are afraid to show me their place for fear I would judge it! Our place is not always spotless and organized, it is a constant work in progress, please don't be fooled by pretty photos. But once in a while a friend will truly ask for my input in their space and I love it! Some dear friends of ours asked my opinion recently on their one bedroom apartment and their current awkward sleeping arrangements and I was more than happy to give my opinion (I have been told at times I have too many opinions, ha. Good thing I found somewhere to put them all, this blog).
Our dear friends live in a one bedroom apartment that is the converted top floor of a three storey home. We don't know the exact square footage but I would estimate it is close to 800. The layout is decent if quite segregated and the ceilings low. All the rooms are separate. A long hallway separates the bedroom from the bathroom and the kitchen and the living room. Currently their baby, who is now 15 months, is sleeping in a nook of their bedroom beside their bed, in a mini crib. Because of the close quarters and a desire for quality sleep they have been pulling their mattress and bedding nightly into their living room (oh what we will do for sleep!). They rent so major structural changes are not possible to the space so we have been brainstorming ideas. Also their walls are rounded and ceilings lower thus a Murphy Bed (my answer to everything ;) ) is off the table.
Their current bedroom set up
The view from the living room to the hallway to their bedroom
My answer:
I think they should switch out their current sofa for a sofa bed and give their bedroom to their baby. The bedroom is large and could still house their clothes, baby's clothes and toys while leaving their living room open for play and entertaining. It would also give two distinct play areas for the baby which is nice in a small space for a change of scenery. Removing their bed from the main bedroom would free up a lot of floorspace. It could also allow for a small desk in that room, something I know my friend misses currently (though coordinating work with nap times could be challenging). Anyway, a sofa bed seems like the perfect solution to me.
You might think they should move but the rental and buyers market in Vancouver has gone a bit crazy recently. My friends pay reasonable rent, actually like their landlord, have a shared backyard and a gas stove. All these elements add up to wanting to make this place work a bit longer but the physical act of dragging their mattress and bedding down the hall twice a day is a bit much.
The only issue we are having is finding the right sofa bed. Here are my top picks:
But I (and my friends) would feel better if I knew someone who sleeps on one everyday. Does anyone else use a sofa bed as their full-time bed? I know most Murphy Beds and mattresses are designed for occasional use so we searched until we found one that could withstand daily use. Someone must be making sofa beds to achieve this same goal!? Or is there a company that will custom make the mattress to withstand daily use? Do any readers have any experience with sofa beds as a small space solution? Help!!