It all began in 2016, when Lars and Lise were both on maternity leave with their youngest child.
One evening they watched a documentary on Netflix about minimalism, and the message hit them right in the solar plexus.
The documentary made them reflect on their consumption and materialistic lifestyle.
– It really dawned on us how we were just preoccupied with owning things – and how we spent all our time and all our money renovating our home, they say.
Lars owned 12 pairs of sunglasses
Inspired by the documentary, they immediately began selling off their belongings.
They removed things that had previously been a big part of their lives – shoes, clothes and bags.
For example, Lars was very into branded clothes – and owned no fewer than 12 pairs of sunglasses.
– Imagine that I have stood 11 times and made a decision that I had to own another pair of sunglasses. I can wonder about that today. It is pure overconsumption, he says.
The family ditched the detached house and moved into a 70 square meter apartment: – We have chosen to live small to live big, they say. Photo: Lars Pauli
It also occurred to Lars and Lise that they had a circle of friends who often talked about what they had just bought – or what they should buy next.
– Then we could stand there and talk about the newest barista model. Basically, it wasn’t exciting at all, recalls Lars Munk Madsen.
The process did not only lead to Lars and Lise cleaning up all the things they had.
It also led to a fundamental consideration of their lifestyle and housing choices.
At the time, they lived in a terraced house in Aalborg SØ – a nice terraced house with a garden, new terrace, washing machine and two bathrooms.
Yet they did not thrive.
– It gradually dawned on us that we were not comfortable in the traditional detached house life, say Lars and Lise.
During the day, the double bed hangs vertically behind a 10 centimeter wide door, which can also act as a partition. This means that the living room floor is free for Asta and Elli to play. Photo: Lars Pauli
They longed for a more non-committal way of living and living.
They had previously lived in the center of Aalborg, but when they had children, they did what most people do: move house.
And suddenly it dawned on them that they felt trapped in an expectation.
They chose to downsize
For sure, detached house life represents the traditional framework for a family with children, but nevertheless it was far from Lars and Lise’s actual wishes.
Lars and Lise therefore asked each other what could make them happy.
And the pulse of the city can do that.
– I am happy when I cycle past a cafe and people are enjoying their summer with coffee and cheesecake. Or when the Christmas lights at Salling are switched on, explains Lars.
In 2018, they therefore decided to downsize – and sold the terraced house.
Instead, they rented an apartment closer to the city to test whether they could thrive in a smaller home and embrace city life.
It soon dawned on them that they felt much more at home in the city than in the terraced house.
So in 2020 they bought their own apartment in the center of Aalborg.
Lars and Lise sleep in the living room
– Many would probably look at floor plans and square meters. Instead, we looked at a city map to see where we should settle to be closest to the center, laughs the couple.
Their choice came as a surprise to many.
– There is probably a prejudice that you cannot live in the middle of the city if you have children, says Lars and adds dryly:
– But those who live in Copenhagen, Tokyo and New York also have children. So apparently it can be done.
Now Lars and Lise have bought an apartment of approx. 70 square metres, which – in addition to the living room and kitchen – only has two rooms. One for each of the daughters, Elli (8) and Asta (10).
Lars and Lise sleep in the living room themselves – in a double bed that they hoist down from the ceiling every evening.
Every evening, Lars and Lise lift the bed down in the living room with a hoist that is actually intended for hoisting engines out of cars in a workshop. Photo: Lars Pauli
– We have slept in all sorts of ways, but this ended up being the model that works, says Lise and adds:
– From the beginning, we have promised each other that we will try our best until the right solution is found – we have also moved a lot in the girls’ rooms.
Although the couple does not have to keep the garden, there is still “work” in living in an apartment.
For example, you have to go down to the laundry room to hang clothes to dry. And there is no room for all the clothes, so in winter the summer wardrobe moves to the basement. And vice versa in the summer.
The family has no more clothes than can be in the closet here. In spring and autumn, they collect winter jackets/summer sandals in their six square meter basement. Lise has not bought new clothes this year, but instead shops in thrift stores. Photo: Lars Pauli
The family makes use of the city’s life and cultural activities on a daily basis. Visits galleries and art exhibitions, goes for walks on the waterfront, skates and plays tennis – and goes to gymnastics in Nordkraft.
– It’s actually very nice that you don’t have to maintain play equipment in the garden – but that the children can just rush off to the whole thing, say Lars and Lise.
The family appreciates meeting in cafes and eating in restaurants.
– We can just go outside the street door – and taste food from all over the world, they say.
For Lars and Lise, it is the ultimate freedom.
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
See the photos from Lars and Lise’s apartment
Photo: Lars Pauli
And then it may well be that they had to buy an apartment without a bedroom.
– We have chosen to live small to live large, they say.
And Lars and Lise Munk Madsen are not alone.
Opposite housing trends
More Danes are choosing to live smaller and more functionally, says Louise Byg Kongsholm, CEO of the pej group.
– For some it is a necessity – often due to the housing market’s high prices. But others do it because they find positivity in the simple and minimalist, says Louise Byg Kongsholm.
They choose – like Lars and Lise – to prioritize experiences outside the home over space and materials inside the home.
– Interestingly, the latest figures show that the homes are actually getting bigger on average, but there is also a clear parallel trend with the desire for smaller, more functional homes, says Louise Byg Kongsholm.
2024-11-17 18:10:00
#sleep #living #room #night #family #children #lives #square #meters
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