Facebook
X
Pinterest
Copy Link
Making Small Spaces Work for Growing Families
Making Small Spaces Work for Growing Families
It’s common to find more and more young families starting in smaller spaces than in previous years. Finding a larger home is harder these days, but smaller spaces can be just what parents need, especially when kids are still young. Here are some ways growing families can make a small space work for them.
-
Look for a mini crib
If you have a new addition to the family, consider searching for a mini crib to fit into your room if you don’t have a dedicated space for a nursery. The biggest difference between mini cribs and regular cribs is size, with mini cribs being more easily slotted into corners and tight spaces. You won’t get as much use out of a mini crib, however, and may have to move your baby to a toddler bed within two years as opposed to the regular three, but it’s still a great option if you’re tight on space for the immediate future.
-
Turn a closet into a mini nursery
Closets can be useful nooks, and if you have the option of using a wardrobe or dresser for your clothes, consider removing the closet doors and using the space for a little nursery right in your bedroom. You’ll be able to take advantage of high shelves for supplies and keep everything neatly in place.
-
Have your furniture pull double duty
As much as possible, you’re going to want to maximize the use you get out of your furniture pieces when you’re short on space. A dresser makes a good changing table, and ottomans make for great storage spots that kids can easily access toys. As much as possible, opt for furniture that includes storage space such as under-bed drawers.
-
Everything needs a place
With kids, it’s easy for toys to end up everywhere, making a small space look even more cluttered. As you incorporate storage solutions, make sure that every single item has a spot and that everyone knows what goes where. It takes a team to keep a home neat, and kids will have an easier time cleaning up if they know where everything has to end up at the end of the day. If you find yourself with more toys than storage spots, it might be a good time to start donating toys that kids have outgrown.
-
Go for darker furniture
If your kids are still young, chances are accidents will happen. But don’t cry over spilled milk! Get the longest use out of your furniture by opting for dark fabrics, especially in rugs and couches that are forgiving of stains from sticky fingers.
Monthly Features
DIY Project: DIY Newborn Shadow Boxes
When you get over the sleep deprivation, you’ll realize your newborn is growing up quickly! Remember your child’s earliest days and milestones with these shadow boxes that’ll show you just how far they’ve come.
Recipe: No-Bake Cinnamon Rolls for kids
This sweet snack is great for little helpers in the kitchen since it avoids using the oven. Let them help out and snag a few for yourself before they’re all gone!
Image Credit: Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4, Image 5
Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight – Zanoni Agema Turner Group
In this episode of Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight Series, we highlight the Zanoni Agema Turner Group from CENTURY 21 Foothills South Real Estate in Lethbridge, Alberta. This accomplished team—comprised of Julia Zanoni, David Agema, Meagan Turner, and Klaus Witzke—has earned the esteemed CENTURION® Team status, a reflection of their dedication, collaboration, and commitment to excellence.
The team shares how their diverse strengths and unified vision have driven their collective success. They offer practical advice on everything from team dynamics and time management to client relationships and growth strategies—providing a blueprint for sustainable success in real estate.
Whether you’re part of a team or building one, this episode offers valuable takeaways for anyone aiming to grow in the industry.
Get Your Backyard Ready for a Great Summer
Get Your Backyard Ready for a Great Summer
Now that the days are getting longer, you’ll be spending more time outside with friends and family, enjoying those warm summer nights. Here are some tips to make sure your backyard is ready to go and everyone’s favourite place to make some memories over the next few months.
-
Get your patio furniture cleaned up
If it’s been a long winter and you leave your patio furniture out through all seasons, you want to take a moment to give it a once over. Make sure no little pests have made their home in them, give any furniture frames a good hose-down and maybe take a vacuum to any fabric surfaces.
-
Bring in some flowers
Nothing brightens up a yard like some flowers, and if you didn’t plant those seeds back during the spring, have no fear! Many local hardware stores and nurseries will be bursting with summer blooms that are ready to be transposed into your backyard. Tall planters can add some great decoration to the side of doorways, hanging baskets are good for shaded patios, or you may want to create a bright flowerbed – as a bonus, these are a great way to help pollinators!
-
Add some lighting
Just because the sun sets later doesn’t mean you want to go inside when it’s dark! While many homes have some basic outdoor lighting, it’s often utilitarian and not very ambient, so take the time to research some good lighting options. Strings of Edison bulbs are a popular option that lend form and function or consider using smaller strings of battery-operated lights in mason jars to resemble fireflies. You might want small ground lights staked into the ground to illuminate paths. Before you add any lighting, however, be sure you know where each of your exterior outlets are so that you’re not left in the dark!
-
Give your lawn some TLC
If it’s been a rough winter, your lawn may need a refresh. If it’s developed bare patches, this may be a prime spot for weeds, so consider reseeding these spots. You can find a seed mix that matches the rest of the lawn or look specifically for a seed blend that stands up to high traffic areas if you anticipate a lot of people walking over it. Add in some fertilizer and keep things watered until the patches fill in, and you’ll have a lush and healthy lawn to be proud of!
-
Invite some feathered friends
A great backyard feature that helps nature is a bird feeder! If you enjoy lounging outdoors and doing some bird spotting, a feeder will help bring in colourful hummingbirds and cardinals (location dependent.) These feeders are great for local wildlife without causing disruption to ecosystems, and it’s a great way to pass the time while relaxing on a peaceful summer day.
Monthly Features
DIY Project: Outdoor Tic-Tac-Toe
Need something to do while the burgers are grilling? This life-size version of Tic-Tac-Toe will keep your guests from young to old entertained!
Recipe: Mediterranean Chickpea salad
This light summer salad has fresh ingredients and lots of flavour, perfect for warm days as a light lunch or side dish at dinner.
Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight – Serge Normand
In this episode of the Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight Series, we’re proud to feature Serge Normand of CENTURY 21 Nord-Sud. With a wealth of experience and a passion for real estate, Serge has built a reputation for excellence in his market through dedication, professionalism, and a client-first mindset.
Throughout the episode, Serge shares the strategies that have helped him build and sustain a successful career—from cultivating strong client relationships to staying consistent in a changing industry. His story is a testament to the power of hard work and adaptability in real estate.
Whether you’re an established agent or just starting out, Serge’s journey offers valuable takeaways for achieving long-term success.
Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight – Matt Glen
In this episode of the Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight Series, we feature Matt Glen, a Sales Representative from CENTURY 21 Assurance Realty Ltd. in Kelowna, BC. Matt joined CENTURY 21 in 2020 and has already earned CENTURION® award status, proving that success in real estate doesn’t have to take decades.
A passionate advocate for innovation, Matt embraces technology to enhance client experiences and streamline his business. He’s also the co-host of the Kelowna Real Estate Podcast, where he shares industry insights and trends with a broader audience.
In this episode, Matt talks about his rapid growth, the tools and mindset that helped him achieve it, and how agents can use tech and media to amplify their business.
Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight – Corina Baldwin
In this episode of the Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight Series, we’re excited to introduce Corina Baldwin, a dedicated Sales Representative with CENTURY 21 Seller’s Choice Inc. in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. With over a decade of experience at CENTURY 21, Corina has built a successful business by blending her own systems with the powerful tools provided by the C21 network.
Specializing in repeat and referral clients, Corina has earned a reputation for consistency, authenticity, and forward-thinking. She’s also a strong advocate for video marketing and real estate tech, using innovative strategies to stay ahead in a competitive market.
In this episode, Corina shares the key habits, tools, and techniques that have helped her grow a sustainable and thriving real estate career—perfect for agents looking to modernize their approach and boost client loyalty.
Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight – Harp Khela
In this episode of the Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight Series, we’re thrilled to introduce Harp Khela, the #1 producer by production in 2023 across the entire CENTURY 21 global network—an extraordinary accomplishment among over 135,000 members worldwide!
Harp began his real estate journey in 2007 with CENTURY 21 Coastal Realty in Surrey, BC. Since then, he’s built an exceptional career rooted in off-market opportunities and a powerful repeat and referral business. His ability to consistently deliver results and build long-term client relationships has made him one of the most respected and successful agents in the industry.
In this episode, Harp shares the mindset, systems, and strategies that helped him rise to the top. Whether you’re a seasoned agent or just getting started, his story offers rare insight into what it truly takes to build lasting success in real estate.
Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight – Brad Miller & Kieran McCourt of the Goodale Miller Team
In this episode of the Real Estate: Real Success Spotlight Series, we’re proud to feature Brad Miller and Kieran McCourt, leaders of the Goodale Miller Team—the #1 team in all of CENTURY 21 Canada for 2023! Based in Oakville, ON, with CENTURY 21 Miller Real Estate Ltd., this elite team has held the top spot for an impressive four years in a row.
Brad and Kieran open up about what it takes to consistently perform at the highest level. From strategic leadership and team culture to client-first philosophies and long-term planning, they share powerful insights that can elevate any real estate career.
Whether you’re building your brand, growing a team, or just starting out, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable advice from two of the best in the business.
How to Incorporate Maximalism Without Adding Clutter to Your Home
How to Incorporate Maximalism Without Adding Clutter to Your Home
Out with the emptiness and neutral tones of minimalism, in with the bold patterns and funky designs of maximalism! In recent years, designers have begun to re-embrace bright colours and eclectic pieces to curate spaces that are overloaded on personality, but there is a fine line between ‘loud and bold’ and ‘crowded and overwhelming’. Follow these easy tips to bring a little more fun into your space without things getting too out of hand.
-
Have a colour palette in mind and stick to it
To avoid a clash of colours, make sure that what you do add to a room flows together. Design trends of the past may have encouraged complementary shades, but for a more maximalist feel, go for contrasting walls and bright accents. However, consult a colour wheel to ensure that your shades are properly picked out and stick to two to three main shades so that it’s not harsh on the eyes.
-
Layer textiles for an indulgent feel
The different types of textiles you have in a space can make a room seem cozy and it doesn’t have to crowd a space. Think about layering rugs with different textures for a fun look or indulge in some bright curtains in contrasting shades which can add both colour and function. Blankets can make for great accents on a bed or over a sofa and be experimental with patterns!
-
More is better – but keep things together
There’s a fine line between a maximalist room and a cluttered room, and a great way to find the right balance is to be intentional about how you choose to use décor items. Instead of having items strewn around on every surface, find ways to group them together and arrange them in ways that catch the eye. Consider using small display shelves or cabinets to better show off collections, the varying heights on your surfaces will add variety to your rooms.
-
Gallery walls will display your art at its best
A staple of a maximalist space is a varied and interesting gallery wall! From photos to art prints to mementos, these are a great opportunity to mix and match frame textures and colours, as well as step outside of the box on how you want to display your items. There are no rules here, so be as bold as you’d like!
-
Mix your pattern sizes
Maximalism lets you be as wild as you want with patterns, but you don’t want an eyesore on your hands. A good way to avoid this is to vary the size of the patterns you use together. For example, a floral pattern on your accent cushions will clash harshly with a similar size motif on your curtains. You may have to try a few options before you land on something you like but try to keep big patterns with small ones so that it’s not a full onslaught once you walk into a room.
Monthly Features
DIY Project: DIY Confetti Clock
Show off your fun personality with the bright clock that will remind you of a party at all hours of the day. And if you place it to catch the sun, you’ll get a beautiful display of colours once a day!
Recipe: Homemade Gnocchi
An Italian staple, you may be intimidated at the thought of making these at home, but with just three ingredients, you’ll soon impress even the most skeptical Nonna.
CENTURY 21 Granite Realty and the Jump in the Lake Challenge Celebrate Five Years of Supporting Local Food Banks
May 2024, Kwartha Lakes – The force is strong for a Kwartha community fundraiser sponsored by CENTURY 21 Granite Realty Group Ltd. on May 4, sales reps Dean Michel and Jennifer Bacon took to the waters of their local lake for the fifth annual Jump in the Lake Challenge (JILC), raising over $25,000 for food banks in the Coboconk and Haliburton area.
Going with the theme of ‘Stars Wars’ day, Michel donned full Jedi garb for the annual dip, which began as a COVID distanced fundraiser back in 2020 as a way to help their community. It has since grown, with a few hundred generous donors and many brave participants coming together to raise much-needed funds to battle hunger.
“We continue to be amazed how our community has embraced what has now become a fun, annual event,” Michel says. “When you combine brave individuals and generous donors, good things happen to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Over the past five years, the challenge has raised $175,000 for the local community and gone a long way in supporting those struggling with food-related costs. “What a generous and supportive community we live in,” said Coboconk and Area Food Bank chairperson Amy Alfredsson. “With more than $20,000 in cash and food donations collected and more still coming in, the JILC has provided the funds to pay meat purchases for almost an entire year.”
Alfredsson, who jumped into a frigid Balsam Lake herself, added “The funds raised and the food collected will go a very long way in feeding our CAFB families. Thank you for your participation in and donations made to the Jump in the Lake Challenge again this year.”
The hope is that JILC expands beyond Kwartha’s lake shores and spreads to other communities in Canada. “It’s such an easy fundraiser, all anyone needs is social media and something to jump into,” says Michel. “So many charities are willing to help out local fundraisers, so all you need to do to reach out to a cause that you’re passionate about and let them know what you want to do.”
There is still time to donate for this year’s fundraiser, to participate, visit www.kawarthalakeside.com and click “Get Involved”.
