Wunce Agane Perspective & Relativity Fale Me

[serinde]

So I picked up the keys to the apartment last night, and went in for the first time since I looked it over and said "yes, have some". I unlocked the door, dropped my four bags of miscellaneous crap, and looked around; and then did an impression of the above icon.

I don't know how, but it looked bigger with all the previous tenant's stuff in it. I WILL NEVER FIIIIIIIIT I HAVE THROWN OUT ALL MY STUFF AND I STILL WON'T FIIIIIIIIIIT

While I was slowly rotating and gibbering, sweh came in (with flowers!!) and got me a bit calmed down; and then I proceeded with the intended goal, which was to take the tape measure and the graph paper and actually graph the place out. (This is what happens when your parents start you on D&D at age 7.) Regrettably I cannot scan it at this time, so draw along at home: The place is basically a big rectangle, just under 11' wide, and about 25' long. (And then the bathroom is stuck on the end.) At the not-bathroom end are two windows; if you set your back to them and walk forward about 15.5', the walls come in to form a 5' wide doorway, with two folding doors. When you're standing with your back to the windows, immediately to your left is stove, sink, enough countertop for one appliance (who wins? Coffeemaker, mixer, rice cooker, or toaster?), and fridge. Th-th-th-that's all, folks.

Intellectually, I know it is more than possible to live in such a space. We all know people who do, and do it well. And moreover, as I keep chanting to myself, I have a one year lease; if the place chafes, I can leave. But it's still a shock to the mind to feel all "oh I've done pretty well! Look at all the stuff I'm getting rid of or not taking!" and then realize, well, actually, it's not half enough. It has been noted that perhaps I am just a wee bit too wrapped up in Proving Something and Doing It Perfectly and sundry other related issues.

I'm not sure if the futon fits. The desk does, but by damn the computer goes there and only there. TV goes where? Can't take the blue armchair, or if I do, it's in place of the futon and that seems bad, want to have a guest bed. Must get flat-panel TV, no two ways about that. I can fit bed and dresser, and the jewelry armoire, but I just don't know about the vanity. OH MY GOD I FORGOT ABOUT THE BAR STUFF WHERE DOES THE BOOZE GO

Oh, and litterbox. I could probably get a smaller one, as Ranger eats two kibbles a day and produces very little effluvium, but it still must needs go somewhere.

So. Yes. Everybody Panic.

Comments

[damned-colonial.livejournal.com]

The sleep pad is an excellent point. Keep in mind that in a small space, you probably won't have as many long-term guests as you do in a full size house. You won't be as profligate with invitations, and people won't expect it.

In my 1BR I personally place a cap of 1 school night, or a weekend, with very few exceptions. I just don't have room to host people for a week at a time, and people don't generally ask for it. Find a decent cheap hotel close to your house, and offer the details to anyone who wants to stay longer. A night or two on the floor won't kill anyone.

(That said, if you want a sofa anyway, keep the futon.)

[lillilah]

My thought on the futon was that in our previous place a long futon was not as conducive for socializing as a seating setup that allowed people to face each other. At our current place, we have yoga balls, padded folding chairs, and a folding stool, all of which are very nice when we have company and very easy to put away when we don't.

(BTW, for sewing and cutting and all that, I use the floor. No big fancy table necessary.)

[damned-colonial.livejournal.com]

Agreed. A long sofa is only good for one person, or for two if you have armrests/cushions at the end that let them turn towards each other. The armrests do make a difference though. In my small apartment in Melbourne I had a couple of large floor cushions for guests, and currently I have both floor cushions and folding Ikea chairs.