Living minimalistically: This is how the Bressem family masters 58 square meters in BS!

Living minimalistically: This is how the Bressem family masters 58 square meters in BS!

The Bressem family lives in an exciting experiment in minimalism in the middle of Braunschweig. In an old building apartment with just 58 square meters, four of them live in this room - that's less than half of the national average of 122.7 square meters for families in Germany. This decision to live in such a small space comes from a combination of rising rental prices and the desire to live more consciously. The move to a larger apartment was quickly deemed utopian after they had to face reality in the city's real estate market.

The first son was born four years ago, and another followed just three years later. As the family grew, space in the apartment became increasingly more of a challenge. However, Julia-Janine Bressem and her partner have not thrown in the towel but have committed themselves to a minimalist lifestyle. Minimalism, as becomingminimalist.com describes, involves consciously owning fewer things and focusing on what is essential.

Tidying up and clearing out

Julia-Janine, 31, is recognized as a role model for many of her over 31,000 followers on Instagram when it comes to creative space-saving tips. “We now have four fewer things than we used to have two people,” she says as she describes the benefits of decluttering. The Bressems have separated themselves from heavy pieces of furniture such as coffee tables and TV cabinets and instead focus on multifunctionality. Your living room not only functions as an office, but also as a playroom for the children. Small items find space in neatly organized drawers and boxes stored on high shelves.

Everyday life also shows how well thought-out order makes life easier. Julia sorts things out once a month and uses a timer to work efficiently. Your laundry will be sorted into four baskets, and a full basket means it's time to wash. In this way, the family ensures that everything has a fixed place and that clutter is kept to a minimum.

Financial savings through minimalism

Avoiding unnecessary stuff not only freed up space, but also saved the household budget. Last year, the family only used 941 kilowatt hours of electricity - around six times less than comparable households. Some of the savings go into a reserve so that they can one day invest in their own home. “We want to have at least one more room in two years, especially for the children,” explains Julia. Currently, visitors are often welcomed at a small beer tent set, which sometimes leads to a lack of space at the kitchen table.

The Bressems' lifestyle reflects what minimalism shows in the best light: it is not only a movement to free yourself from material baggage, but also a way to live life more consciously. According to Wikipedia and becomingminimalist.com, this approach promotes a clear way of life that distances itself from the superfluities of consumer culture and instead focuses on experiences and relationships.

With creative solutions and a conscious use of space, the Bressem family is an inspiring example for everyone who thinks about how to live happily even in the smallest of spaces. It's an interesting way of looking at things that reminds us that less is often more - and that attitude matters, regardless of the space we inhabit.