A few weeks ago, a sweet reader, Jessica wrote:
…I’ve loved the little series of posts you’ve been doing for investments in the home. I’m trying to get our family organized, and re-evaluate our spaces. I’ve loved your lazy gal’s guide for purging and simplifying. I was wondering on a personal note, what you consider to be your most valuable spaces in your own home? What made the difference for you and your family? Would you share why?…
We thought this was a great question, because honestly, the answer will be different for everyone. But we thought this might be a good chance to share the lessons we’ve learned from these changes, along the way. If you tuned into our first post on when and what to splurge on in your home as far as decor…
and our second post, smart upgrades for your home…
What makes a great home? It’s more than just pretty things. I could talk funds and investments all day long as far as upgrades and changes. But at the end of the day, a successfully functioning home {no matter where you live} is more about careful planning, and making the entire system work for you.
The age old argument of form vs. function go hand in hand. Forget the pretty pieces, room redos and cool accents. If they do nothing for you or your family, there’s really no point. At the end of the day, we all know that your home has to work hard for you, and there’s a balance there in terms of all things eye candy vs. how they work for you, every day.
If your home is a reflection of you, it’s going to grow with you as your family’s needs change. It’s really all about utilizing that square footage to your biggest asset in a wise manner, no matter how much or how little, you have. So here are the main zones, that have meant the most to us… and why.
1. The Homeschool Room
If you’ve been reading for a while, then you probably guessed by now that this may be one of our favorite spaces in our home. You may be quite tired of looking at it It’s hard to pick, but I think one of the reasons it’s our favorite, is because this space is like an orchestra of happy accidents. We took our time, and unintentionally let it change with us, rolling with the natural evolution that came.
When we decided to bring the kids home last fall and start school here, we had no idea what we were in for. I also had no idea where I would teach them. At first, I thought I could hold on to our dining room space, and make it work.
So it went from this,
To this.
But then I realized that what would work best for all, would be having a space solely dedicated to our little adventure. To make it a true reflection of us and create an environment that inspired them.
We all felt confined, with a giant dining room table, and I felt limited with what we could do in terms of working with them. We knew what would work best for us, so by spring, we changed it to this:
It freed up our spaces, let me evaluate our needs, and finally let go to feel full on freedom from the “rules”. I find that they usually impose themselves in our lives, without us even realizing it. I was still holding on to that space, thinking… but what if someone comes over and we have no dining room to sit in?
Really? Clearly, southern blood runs thick in my veins, as I could picture my great grandmother having a come apart over the fact that the space now donned a bright blue sofa and red desks. But it was time.
Lesson learned: there’s nothing more freeing than letting go of those rules. Even if it’s a lesson we have to re-learn. Over and over and over again…
2. The Playroom
Before we changed it over, the space looked like this. {Before that, it was Aiden’s room} And as a basic playroom {see: extra bedroom with the boys sharing a space}, it was perfect for three toddlers. But as they grew older, our needs changed. Even though we purged almost half of what we owned, they needed more space just to separate things.
I always bemoaned over not having the perfect upstairs bonus room to provide a space for our kids. And then, I got over it.
One can only handle so much Mickey in a day, for so many years in a row, y’all. We needed a bit of a lounging area for reading, where the kids could watch their movie, or play their games while we {see: mom and dad} scored a little peace and quiet.
They’ve really enjoyed this space since we’ve changed it over, and it’s helped store all their belongings, so they can actually appreciate what they own. Whereas before, it was a couple of closets jammed full of toys and mismatched clothes, ready for a life-threatening avalanche, we now have this:
Lesson Learned: Work with what you have, and make it what you want.
Which brings us to…
3. The Family Closet
I know it sounds so weird saying that one of our favorite changes is a closet. But y’all. If you have the floor plan for it, if it works for your family, do it yesterday. The time saved on laundry, searching for that other sock, and other various whatnots, makes it totally worth it. Not to mention, just because you share a closet with little kids, doesn’t mean your closet can’t be fun.
Lesson Learned: Taking the time for the little things: to purge and organize and rethink, is always worth it.
4. The Studio
Was one of the first changes we ever made. Chalk it up to a “hair brained” idea Jamin had one night… we decided it made perfect sense to expand our square footage by adding a wall. {And, our home’s value.}
First, it was the “veranda” because I’m a nerd and love pretentious names.
But I think sometimes, we also have to realize when spaces aren’t functioning that well for the family, and be willing to turn them into something else. {And then name them something cool to make yourself feel better.} We desperately needed a place to work without children crawling on our laptops, so this space was born.
Lesson learned: If you’re short on space, create it. You never know what you’ll find when you start thinking of all the ways different areas can really be used.
5. Outside.
Just like our own bedrooms, we usually end up saving these spaces or last. We think we’ll get to it later, or that it doesn’t matter that much. But changing our outdoor space from totally blah
To a great functional outdoor room is a sanity saver all on it’s own.
People ask us all the time how our playspace is holding up. It’s been one of our favorite changes, ever. It made our home a multifunctional area for fun entertaining and a retreat for the kids.
We had to learn a lot on the fly, along the way… and taught ourselves so much with this process. It was a big undertaking, but completely worth it.
Whether it’s something simple like a small swing or trampoline, sometimes doing things for your back yard is one of the best investments you can make for the overall feel of your home, and expanding those “expected” spaces.
Lesson learned: Anything is possible.
So there ya have it. Those are our favorite changes that we’ve made, that have (sometimes unintentionally) meant the biggest changes for our family. Everyone’s situation is different, {see: not everyone will need a homeschool space, or want to build a major playhouse} but the lessons learned, and the process behind it all are invaluable lessons for making our home work for us, and really planning for the way spaces are used. We love our home because of it. I hope that helps, Jessica!
Your turn, guys. What are some of the biggest changes you’ve made for your home… and lessons you guys have learned? We’d love to hear what you have to say, to help add to the topic. We know you guys know a whole lot more than we do! Have an inspired day!
Deanna says
Those are great changes for your home and I can tell they are really functional for your family! Clever too!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much, Deanna! ;}
Janet says
This is fantastic! I love all the changes you guys have made. And the best is those lessons learned. Keep being fearless!
Julie says
Love it! Thanks for the great ideas! <3
Tania // Run To Radiance says
Love. Everything. SO. Much.
Seriously, all the rooms are so gorgeous and functional and work for you guys and your family! And in the end, that’s who is there 99% of the time, not the random dinner party people (preaching to myself here!).
Also- why would anyone want to dine in the dining room when there’s that fabulous outdoor space?!? 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
HA! Such a good point, Tania. I will inform my inner critics of this fact that I so often forget ;}
Heidi @ Decor & More says
Great post Ashley and Jamin! About 10 years ago when I was a divorced working mom with 3 school age kids, I turned our dining room into a family study and it was the best thing I’ve ever done! The kids could all do homework within eye shot/ear shot of the kitchen and I set up all the computers in there where I could monitor usage. Now that my youngest is 16, it’s morphed into my Mom Cave where I write and read and watch HGTV and run the household. It won’t ever go back to being a dining room .. at least while I’m in the house!
ashley @ the handmade home says
SO smart, Heidi! Such a great lesson learned in doing what works for you! You go, girl!
jessica matier (@AW2SL) says
I’ve been trying to remember which site I started asking about homeschool via comments. The picture of your kids at the dining room table was the giveaway! I’m pleased to tell you that we’ve taken a leap of faith and followed through on homeschooling. I’ve become a little obsessed with my homeschool space too! Love the green walls and the closet!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much, Jessica and congratulations to you and this huge lifestyle change! Blessings to you this year! It’s such a rewarding adventure!
Christina @The DIY Mommy says
You guys are seriously one of my favourite bloggers right now. I LOVE your home and your style. The way you mix colour, style & functionality is so inspiring and something I’m striving to find balance with in our home. We have three young girls just starting school, and I need to take some cues from your house with all of your great organizational ideas. Thank you!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much, Christina! I think that when we just started school, that was when I came out of my toddler coma and decided to really make our home work for us – there was something about that schedule that threw me out of whack and I knew something had to change. So that’s awesome and you’re not alone! ;}
Amber says
Kind of obsessed.
Amber says
LOVE this post!!!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much, Amber! ;}
Krystal H says
Hi y’all!
We are in the process of building y’all’s hideaway in our backyard. That thing is a beast! And I love it! We have the roof, railing, and shutters remaining to finish. I cannot wait to send y’all a picture when it’s done if that’s alright. The funny thing is, it’s brought us outside more, even without the roof being done or railings on, even with the heat. It gives our backyard purpose – as a place to play and not just a random grassy patch surrounded by weeds that must be pulled. It’s turned it into a place we want to be instead of avoid. It has already been a game changer for us, even though it’s still in progress. Thank y’all for the inspiration! (Anyone thinking of doing it, save up and do it if you can!).