Modern-day living doesn’t come without its qualms. People enjoy living comfortably with all their amenities, however, it can be quite burdensome.
The stress of living paycheck to paycheck can be easily overwhelming for most since they feel like they are financially obligated to remain in their current situation. It’s a predicament many Americans face in a struggling economy that has been trifled by stagnation especially now due to the global pandemic.
On the other hand, there are people who prefer to forge their own path and create options to better suit their living space. In Florida, a family of four decided it was time to downgrade their home of 2,500 sq.ft. to a 250 sq.ft. R.V. with a more simplistic living space. The process was tough, but the payoff was every bit as rewarding as the family expected it to be. This is their journey.
Chelsea and Logan Hawley, along with their two children, decided it was time for a change of pace. They had the idea of building their dream farmhouse over the next five years and they knew they had to adjust their current situation to fit the timeline.
To do that, they utilized 5 acres of land as space to begin their project. In the fall of 2019, the Hawley’s bought their R.V. and began working on the unit to create their ideal living quarters. The total cost of remodeling was approximately $16,000. After they finished, the family moved in April 2020.
As for the layout, the first thing you see coming through the door is a daybed as a couch in the living room area of the home. The floor is made of sleek vinyl hardwood that gives it a vintage appeal. It has a rustic appeal that complements the overall simplistic aura of the other amenities.
The kitchen is right next to the living room with a huge sink that definitely sticks out like a sore thumb. It’s not a bad idea to have a huge sink when you have so many mouths to feed including two young children who probably gobble up food as quick as you can read this sentence. It also comes equipped with a refrigerator and a stovetop in an efficient way that helps save room. In addition, the shelves above the sink keep things tidy and organized for storage and later use.
The overall aesthetic of the small home is that of a mini-farmhouse; white walls and wood cabinets that coalesce with industrial influences like the tiles on the kitchen walls as well as the black faucet.
One of the more interesting features of the kitchen is the small coffee bar that remains tucked away in a small corner. A great benefit of this coffee bar is that it reduces the congestion of items on top of the countertops.
Chelsea and Logan’s master bedroom is located on the other side of the main living area. The bed is efficiently cradled into a corner of the room to maximize space. The cubbies next to the bed act as storage for Logan’s clothing or any other valuable items. As for Chelsea, she has her own closet and is quite spacious.
The children, Madison and Maverick, have a private room in the house filled with their toys and games that they like to play.
“It’s really designed for them,” Chelsea said about her kids’ bedroom. The ceiling is creatively painted to look like the night sky since Madison enjoys those type of views.
Furthermore, the bathroom came with only a shower, but Chelsea made sure to upgrade the unit with a tub for the kids. It was a no brainer, but she is a bit saddened that the bathroom space is much more limited than she envisioned.
Although the Hawley’s have limited living space in their R.V., they definitely make use of their outdoor living space as much as possible. They utilize a patio area that sits on the family’s five-acre land, which they’ve also made plans to establish and grow their own farm. So far, the Hawley’s own one pig, one rabbit, two cows, five goats, and 18 chickens.
“When you’re inside in a tiny space, there’s so much clutter and you’re just on top of each other all day long,” Chelsea said. “That was definitely a challenge of trying to figure out how we could manage in a small space.”
This is what modern-day living looks like. The process involves meticulous planning, imagination, and determination to get the dream built into reality. Chelsea has a few words for those thinking about downsizing:
“Take a good look at what you have and think about what you could live without,” she said. “It’s very hard to get rid of your things at first, but the moment you start doing it, you get a new perspective. For me, it was very freeing.”
It seems the Hawley’s have made a terrific decision for their family and have continuously strived to inspire others to do the same. Make sure to follow Chelsea for an update on their R.V. and many more tips on how to downsize.
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