There was a time when my husband and I lived in a very tiny studio apartment on the corner of Erie Street and Lake Shore Drive.  We were on the 50th floor of a high rise with one wall of floor to ceiling windows overlooking Lake Michigan – the views memorable and spectacular. Space, however, was not so spectacular – as the china and crystal and other special gifts from our wedding were stacked in their original boxes under a tiny table serving as a dining table that I don’t recall us ever eating at.  We somehow managed to squeeze in a giant sofa that is currently sitting in our garage awaiting new ownership because it won’t fit in the door and around the corner of our HOUSE that we are in now (it was built in the 1950s).  Later we moved into a two bedroom townhome where I thought the basement and a small attached garage were the most wonderful things on earth and that I was so lucky to have them in the city.

I don’t know if it’s having a toddler, or being in Michigan, or both.  But it seems like I simply cannot get enough space these days.  We moved into a house larger than our townhouse and I’m already wishing each room had just a bit more, well, room.  Perhaps the most perplexing thing is that the two car garage is full and there’s only one car in it.  I admit I have also found myself often thinking that a minivan would be a very useful car to have (and I only have one kid!).

I try to remind myself that a small space is more economical, friendlier to the planet, and (biggest plus here) so much easier to keep clean.  However, some additional space might just have the added benefit of looking cleaner and possibly, for once, not tripping over the dining room table.