Considering Shared Bedrooms

Ever notice that while the size of the average family is shrinking, the average number of bedrooms in a home is increasing? Granted, one bedroom is often earmarked for a home office, but I show a lot of homes, and I find that the goal for most parents is to have a separate bedroom for each of their children. I know that everyone wants their own space these days. Makes sense when you're a parent of both boys and girls, or if there is an enormous age difference, as can sometimes be the case. But, for those of you with children of the same gender and somewhat close in age, I encourage you to at least consider that they share a bedroom.

For a number of years in my early childhood, my older sister and I shared a bedroom. We were eventually separated because I would keep her awake at night, being too restless to go straight to sleep. As we grew older, we would periodically share a bedroom , mainly when guests arrived from out of town and were given my bedroom for their stay. I enjoyed those occasions with my sister, chatting about school, boys, and music before finally falling asleep. It was disappointing to me that those opportunities were few and far between, particularly since my older sister kept mainly to herself, as was her nature.

Some friends of mine who grew up sharing bedrooms with their siblings have said that, while they didn't necessarily enjoy sharing space with their brothers or sisters, they feel they grew up knowing more about each other. Despite the arguing that would undeniably occur, they had to figure out how to co-exist. This, some have felt, was good training for dealing with college roommates later on, as well as good experience for dealing with others throughout life. Conflict resolution skills cannot be overrated.

Another point I would like to make is that siblings are another protective buffer in this world. Granted, it's not a hard and fast rule - and by no means scientific - but, in general, no matter how much we may argue with one another, no one else is allowed to pick on our family members. But it's not just about protection against neighborhood bullies. It's shocking how easily people with poor intentions can infiltrate the lives of children. And, yes, teenagers are still children - with raging hormones, more freedom, and later curfews, which make them quite vulnerable. Siblings may be more likely to know what's going on with one another than a parent is, if they spend time together. And while it's an unwritten rule that sibling secrets are never divulged to parents, there are rare occasions when that rule must be broken - and mortal safety lies at the heart of such occasions.

Again, I know of no statistics on this subject, and perhaps it's just my own opinion - which is fine, because it's my blog. But it seems to me that "togetherness" comes from, well, being together - spending time, sharing space, working out differences. Some other things that may stem from togetherness - compassion, time management, communication and organizational skills, creativity, collaboration, and the list goes on... So, consider the gift of togetherness for your kids. I'm sure you can think of a million other uses for that extra bedroom.

Use Your Space

Square footage in a home is a valuable commodity, and yet it often goes underutilized. I've witnessed this to be the case whether a home is quite spacious or bordering on tiny.

A couple of years ago, I worked with a client in need of home staging services, as she prepared her home for sale. Like many people today, she and her family spent very little time at home, as work, school, and other activities occupied their time. After a thorough review of their home, their lifestyle and needs, it was clear that they didn't use half of the square footage they had. This was, in a way, tragic, as they were paying for twice as much home as they actually needed.

If you're currently considering a home purchase, be realistic about your lifestyle and your needs. Do not pay for space and amenities you really don't need or won't likely use. That money could be better spent pursuing your passions, saving for retirement, or countless other things.

Of course, many of us are trying to use all of our space, but we don't know how to arrange it. Much of residential construction over the last 15 years or so has focused on creating large, open, communal spaces - Great Rooms, as opposed to separate rooms for the kitchen, dining and sitting areas. The lack of interior walls can present challenges for homeowners, with regard to furniture placement, storage options, and noise control - particularly in homes with vaulted or cathedral ceilings. Consider incorporating some design and storage solutions that might be found in a loft, which is commonly a space with very few interior walls.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I've been in some very small homes that really want for closet space, or virtually any form of storage. Homeowners tend to gravitate toward these types of homes when they're first-time buyers or in a period of transition, as the price of the home often reflects its "shortcomings." But these homes could serve as much greater opportunities for building equity, if only their owners would pay a relatively small price for a little creative vision and a really good handyman, which could greatly extend their stay and satisfaction in the home.

There are numerous resources available for those seeking a little inspiration to help make the most of their small spaces. Online sources for HGTV and Better Homes & Gardens offer valuable advice and lots of photos.

Look closely at each of the rooms in your home. Determine what the space needs - what could make it much, much better? Make a wish list for each room, gather photos either online or in home improvement/decor magazines to be used as a visual aid, and then begin contacting insured, professional "handymen" for competing quotes on projects. Work quotes are typically free, though be sure to verify this with each professional. With work quotes in hand, you can begin to decide which projects you'd like to tackle first, according to both your budget and your needs.

The bottom line is simply this: Make the very most of all the space in your home. After all, you're paying for it.