This summer was unprecedented. Our daily routine of taking our four energetic kids to the pool and playground was replaced by exploring local trails, afternoons in the backyard, and (honestly) more screen time than we typically allow.
Over the summer, we at least had freedom in our schedule and the weather allowed us to play outside, so we didn’t feel overcrowded very often. As school starts, we now have multiple school-aged kids virtually streaming class, two working parents, and two toddlers that all need their own space inside the home to thrive.
Ways to Boost Value and Keep Your Kids Happy
Moving to a bigger home that accommodates your short-term needs is not realistic for almost anyone, but there are some practical ways you can make your space work for you, while investing in the long term value in your home:
1. Reorganize your bedrooms. Sometimes the simplest solution is re-imagining the space you already have. Do you have kids that currently have their own rooms, but could share a room and free up extra space for a home office or playroom? Consider making the second or third smallest bedroom your master bedroom so that kids can more easily share a room. Remember, the change doesn’t have to be permanent! We’re in survival mode.
Furniture can go a long way in making it possible to share space more effectively. Here are some of our favorite versatile pieces that have been critical for our family to thrive in small spaces during times of transition:
Bunk beds: the original space saver! If you plan to un-bunk the beds when COVID ends, consider investing in a quality piece that can be separated into two twin beds. If you’re looking to maximize your space and budget, it’s tough to beat the efficiency of this IKEA bunk + trundle!
Loft Beds: for our younger kids, we’ve used a low-loft bed in small spaces to leave room for them to play under their bed. Our oldest daughter just graduated to a high-loft bed that has room for school, crafting, and storage all built into one space!
Fold-away: Our daughter loves having large open space in her room for gross motor play, but needed a desk for school. We maximized space with a folding desk she can put away when class is done. Get creative with murphy beds, folding tables, and more to make your space work for you.
2. Finish a section of the basement. Many Pittsburgh basements are notorious for flooding or getting water when it rains, so many families avoid finishing them.
But a few modifications could go a long way.
In our last home, we installed shelves near the washer and dryer for laundry, but these same shelves could be great for storing toys. We opened up an old storage room, and closed in a Pittsburgh Potty.
We also added an enormous chalkboard for the kids to draw on, and we placed colorful mats for the floor for them to play on.
This relatively small investment gave us dedicated laundry space, a home office nook, a usable powder room, and large play space for the kids. It was also a major selling point when we listed our home this Summer.
If you struggle with basement moisture, check to make sure your gutters are in good shape and that the earth right next to your house slopes away from the foundation. It may be worth calling in a specialist if you’re considering truly finishing your space with drywall and flooring.
3. Put in that addition you’ve been talking about. An addition is a much bigger investment than some new flooring in the spare room, but it’s also the most direct pathway to increasing your home’s square footage—and its overall price tag.
If you don’t have resources to invest in a large scale addition right now, consider closing in a porch to be a three season room, and add a heat source so you can use the space comfortably over the winter.
If you’ve always dreamed of a larger addition, this may be a great time to look into financing options. Refinancing rates are still at a record low, so it may be possible to improve your home with limited impact to your monthly payments.
While you may be building an addition for a specific purpose to meet your current needs, remember to make the room as versatile as possible to maximize the future value if you ever sell your home.
4. Use Flex Space for a home gym. Get creative when you consider space for kids (or grownups!) to be active. A home gym doesn’t have to take up a whole room, full time, in your home.
Consider adding a slide, monkey bars, or gym mats in your garage, and allow the kids to play when the cars are pulled out. We added a rock wall into our daughter’s room, which gives her a place to be active without using floor space.
Of course, safety is important here. Mats can help soften the blow from a fall, and you should watch your kids when they’re playing on a faux rock wall.
Build the wall sturdy enough for an adult to climb, and you could add “in-home gym” as a selling point to your home!
5. Clean up your yard. Our yard is an absolute work in progress, but we focused first and foremost on making it a great space for the kids to play. Ted installed a zip-line and a tree-swing, and we’re working on building a small tree-house with monkey bars.
Even without these gadgets, kids have a great imagination. A sandbox filled with sensory toys, or a simple play-house you find on Craigslist can give kids a reason to play in the yard.
If your yard is unruly, Fall is a great time to prune overgrown shrubs and remove decaying trees, which can add extra square footage to play space.
If you’ve been wary of an old, decaying tree potentially falling, clear it out. If your yard is lined with some unsightly bushes that are more trouble than they’re worth, cut them down. If you’ve worn a dirt path into the grass from years of walking to shed, use pavers.
The actions may seem relatively small for you, but they could transform the way your imaginative children play. Removing an entire tree opens up more area to run and play. Anything you add—from pavers to new siding on the shed—helps to shape how your kids interact with the world around them.
If you need help weighing your options around a thoughtful remodel, contact us at theblocks@blocksintheburgh.com or 412.926.7976. We’re happy to help!
Cheers,
Julie & Ted