Look at pinterest and search "organizing" -- lots of organizing porn there.

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all the info and encouragement. I figured there had to be other people in this situation in the city. It just doesn't make sense to buy something bigger while paying so much for daycare. I just need to make the best use of our space and I figure I want to get an early start since organization isn't easy to undertake with a toddler running around.

I'm in the same position (with a toddler, thinking of #2) and don't want to give up the convenience/location/affordable mortgage even though I daydream of getting a single family home and having more space and a yard. But there are also many benefits to being in a condo, so I just try to focus on that. We have a storage unit in our building (and may eventually need off-site storage in addition), but I think its key to cycle stuff you don't use out of the condo and into storage (if you'll need it again for #2). With little ones, they go through clothes/toys/equipment so fast and you can quickly accumulate stuff that is no longer in service. Get it out of the condo and free up the space. Build out your closets with custom shelves to fit your needs, and only keep things in your closets that you actually use. Don't use them as long-term storage or else you are taking up valuable space for things you use every day or at least more often.

Elfa is on sale at the Container Store! 30% off. I paid just under 250.00 to create useful space out of a very underutilized corner in my kitchen. I'd love to help.

Lisa
info@dcmamaconcierge.com
dcmamaconcierge.com
202-538-2449

I just saw this on a listserve http://openspacedc.com/

Thanks for all the info and encouragement. I figured there had to be other people in this situation in the city. It just doesn't make sense to buy something bigger while paying so much for daycare. I just need to make the best use of our space and I figure I want to get an early start since organization isn't easy to undertake with a toddler running around.

Kim Mihalik at The Neat Life is great.

Ikea expedit and a shit ton of baskets keeps me sane. And a cleaning lady.

go visit ikea! seriously look at their space that they have set up to get ideas.

we're doing this as well. just had baby #2 and living in 900 sqft of space. we finally decided that springing for a small storage space to put things that we want to keep but don't need for now was worth the $ compared to buying a bigger space in the city.
we also reorganized our closet (using a home depot solution) to make better use of the entire space. put our low platform bed on risers and stored a lot of things underneath. replaced a low, wide dresser with a taller armoire and tall chest of drawers... as pp said, make the most of vertical space.
this being said, make sure to anchor all furniture to the walls to avoid your toddler pulling something down and getting badly hurt

Two kids in a 2 bedroom is totally doable! The two keys are using all vertical space (add extra shelving in closets, in bathrooms, etc.) and making everything do double-duty wherever possible. Ottoman? Storage ottoman! Changing table? No, changing pad on top of dresser!

Also, de-clutter as much as possible.

Try Nicole Anzia at neatnik.com. She does a column in the Thursday Living section of the Post 2x/month on organizing your space. She lives in NWDC. Good luck!

Does anyone know if there are professional organizers that can help with families living in a small space? I have no idea if this is even a service someone offers. We have a small condo and are ttc #2. I am not ready for a longer commute, but we cant afford a bigger place close in and 2 daycare payments. I am thinking maybe we should just plan on staying in our 2 bedroom 850 sq foot condo even after we have a 2nd kid at least until my 1st is ready for K. I think I would want some help making the best use of the space I have. Anyone know someone who helps organize small spaces?