Dream living space on 58 square meters: This is how the Bressem family masters the lack of space!

Dream living space on 58 square meters: This is how the Bressem family masters the lack of space!

In the middle of the vibrant city of Braunschweig, the Bressem family lives in a 58 square meter apartment in an old building, which is significantly smaller than the national average of 122.7 square meters for a household of four. The minimalist lifestyle they have chosen comes with both challenges and benefits. Julia-Janine (31) and Maximilian, together with their two sons, have created a home that is particularly functional by avoiding unnecessary things. NDR reports how they have anchored this lifestyle in the city.

The couple moved into the apartment while they were studying, which was ideal at the time. However, with the birth of their first child four years ago and their second son just three years later, the question of more space quickly arose. However, when looking for a larger apartment, it quickly became clear: the real estate market in Braunschweig is expensive. For this reason, they decided to make their apartment more attractive by cleaning it out.

Ways to minimalist living

An important step on their way was to reduce the offering to a minimum due to a lack of space. After clearing out their clothes, coffee table and TV cabinet, the four of them now live much more freely. Every or almost every piece in the household has its own place. We clean out once a month to prevent unnecessary clutter from accumulating. Julia-Janine uses a timer to keep order in check. The family has learned how important it is to only own the things that they really use. Frugales Glück explains that minimalism often means lower rental costs and less time spent cleaning the apartment, which is clearly true for the Bressem family.

The use of multifunctional furniture is particularly exciting. Your living room serves as an office and the bedroom doubles as a children's room. There is a small playroom for the little ones, with gymnastics activities providing good entertainment on rainy days with the help of gymnastics rings in the door frame. The limited space has pushed the family to think creatively and find innovative solutions that impact their lifestyle.

Challenges and advantages

One of the disadvantages of the minimalist lifestyle can be seen at the kitchen table, which often quickly becomes cramped, especially when guests come. For larger gatherings, the family has a mini beer tent set that they place on the sofa when needed. Julia-Janine dreams of a larger dining table, especially with the upcoming holidays in mind. She has over 31,000 followers on Instagram, where she shares creative space-saving tips.

The family also has the financial advantage of reducing their costs through this lifestyle. Last year they only used 941 kilowatt hours of electricity, which is around six times less than comparable households. The money saved goes directly into reserves for a future home. This financial strategy is part of the minimalist approach, which is not only limited to the living situation, but is also evident in financial planning, which is also evident in the current trends of minimalism. Jiazhudesigns highlights that minimalism is often seen as a response to social developments and a growing awareness of environmental issues.

Julia-Janine and Maximilian are convinced that a more conscious use of space and resources not only enriches their small home, but also embodies an essential lifestyle that is becoming increasingly important in today's world. In two years they plan to have at least one more room available - in the spirit of a comfortable and functional living space for their family.