A home for life – How to maintain a home through life’s many changes
Written by Mehran Charania, Ready Steady Store
Life is full of changes, and as such, it’s not uncommon to outgrow that one-bedroom flat you started in as a couple. From welcoming a new baby to caring for an elderly family member, the twists and turns of life often call for adjustments to our living spaces. In fact, a survey by Homesea found that 40% of homeowners are unhappy at home because they feel they need more space. Because of this, many homeowners are seeking affordable ways to expand or adapt their living spaces.
If moving home is not currently on the cards, there are many ways to make your space work for life’s new challenges. Whether it’s adding nursery furniture, babyproofing, or creating accessible spaces for ageing loved ones, making a home fit for life’s changes requires thoughtful planning and preparation.
Here, we offer practical tips to help you make the most of your space and prepare your home for life’s most significant transitions.
The first bundle of joy
The arrival of your first child is an unforgettable milestone. However, after the excitement of announcements and gender reveal celebrations settles, new parents then face the reality of preparing themselves and their home for this big change.
First-time parents may feel overwhelmed by the preparations needed, but with a plan and research, this process can be simplified. For instance, setting up for a new baby doesn’t mean purchasing every product available. According to NHS guidelines, the safest place for a baby to sleep during the first six months is in the caregiver’s room, in a cot. This means a full nursery may not be necessary right away, helping to spread costs and focus on essentials.
When preparing a nursery, prioritise basics like a cot, a changing station and safe storage for baby essentials. It’s important to remember that what a newborn needs differs from a toddler’s needs, so you may need to swap out items as they grow.
Consider storing unneeded items like a baby bath, keepsakes such as the baby’s first outfits or convert the cot to a toddler bed when it’s no longer required. To maintain an organised and workable space, it is worth utilising solutions such as regular clear outs, self-storage and boxed organisers to help you keep the sentimental things and potential ‘second use’ items for another baby or to sell/pass on to family and friends in the future.
The return of the Graduate
For many families, having children and loved ones move in and out over time is not unusual. One of the most common examples of this is the moving out and, often, the return of children after graduating from university.
Sending a child off to university can feel like the house suddenly has a lot more space. Their once busy bedrooms might transform into temporary guest rooms, home offices, or more commonly, a dumping ground for items that gradually gather dust. However, fast forward a few years and graduation arrives – so too does the sudden realisation that they’ll be moving back home, bringing the belongings they left with and three years’ worth of accumulated items. From kitchen gadgets to textbooks and new furniture, the many boxes of items can turn that once extra space into chaos.
To prepare for this transition, start by decluttering and repurposing the space mindfully, ensuring it remains functional without being overfilled. Use storage solutions like under-bed storage or closet organisers to maximise space and involve your new graduate in sorting through their belongings to decide what can be donated, stored or integrated into your home. By staying proactive and organised, you can ensure an easier transition back home and create a comfortable environment in the process.
Making room for an elderly relative
As life evolves, so do the demands on our living spaces, particularly when needing to move in, and/or care for an elderly relative.
Creating a comfortable, functional and loving environment is essential in these situations and requires thoughtful planning to ensure you’re not feeling cramped and ‘living on top of one another’ – but it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Simple tactics to reimagine your space and prioritise accessibility and safety, including rearranging furniture to ensure clear pathways to reduce fall risks, or adding inexpensive grab bars in bathrooms can make a significant difference. Additionally, by opting for multipurpose furniture, such as a daybed that serves as seating and a sleeping area, can maximise limited space.
Consider small but impactful changes like brighter lighting for better visibility and non-slip rugs to enhance comfort and safety. Most importantly, involve those living in the home and the relative moving in throughout the process to ensure a harmonious transition for all – with a space that reflects their needs. With a mix of creativity, practicality and empathy, your home can adapt beautifully to this new chapter.
Life made easier
Life is full of changes, and our homes must adapt to accommodate new dynamics, whether it’s welcoming an elderly relative, a returning university student, or a newborn baby.
By embracing creativity and clever storage solutions, these transitions can be smoother and more manageable. Utilising self-storage for items like cots, baby keepsakes, or unused university essentials ensures that the home remains uncluttered and functional while preserving cherished belongings. In addition, simple adjustments, such as adding anti-slip rugs for safety and rethinking layouts can make spaces more accessible and adaptable.
With thoughtful planning, homeowners can embrace life’s many changes with open arms, all while creating an organised, welcoming environment that meets the needs of everyone in the home.
About the author
Mehran Charania, Director of Ready Steady Store
Established in 2005, Ready Steady Store is one of the fastest growing self-storage providers with cost-effective storage units located in the Midlands, South, North and East of England.