How to fit 6 people and 2 dogs in a 3 bedroom house?

Rent a pod, and only take your essentials in first. Then each day go through the pod and decide what you want in the house, what’s really needeD. That way you won’t be so overwhelmed with trying to put everything in at once and work around it. If there are things that just won’t fit but you want to keep in case you move to a larger house, check around for a storage unit and put in there temporarily.

Choose the furniture that is to be used in the home before you move. Discuss the best way to go with the furniture. Is his better than yours or vice versa, do the styles go together so that favorite pieces will be ok together. Go through kitchen things and decide which things are better. If the kids are older, a microwave in the basement may come in handy. If you have double large appliances, decide which are the best, again if the kids are older and you want one, a fridge in the basement or garage isn't a bad idea. Store things under beds, they hold a lot. The vacuum down bags are great for out of season clothes and the hand me downs to come. They are also great for extra linens, towels, pillows, comforters, etc. Put up higher shelves in all the closets to store things not used a lot. If you have a garage, find kitchen cabinets in there to hold things from the kitchen that are big, like stock pots, etc. that are too big for the kitchen cupboard. If there is a workroom in the house, it can be used for some storage, too. Build floor to ceiling shelving. Bunk beds for the kids will save some space in their rooms so that they can each have a dresser or chest of drawers. I hope this helps some, and may start the gray matter flowing to think of other ways to combine things. We had three kids, when they were little we put all three in the same room so that the third room could be used as a play room.

Boys share a room, girls share a room. Use under-bed storage for each child. If the house has a decent basement, make an area for toys, video games,etc. and make a mini-family room there for the kids to hang out. Trundle beds are great but that eliminates the storage underneath. Or, if the basement is an option, wall-off an area for an older kid or kids, throw down a cheap carpet and make a bedroom there.

If the kids are the same gender, and close in age, ask if they would enjoy sharing a room. Bunk beds can be a fun avenue as the kids row closer. If age and gender do not allow the shared room then let each have a room. If you have more furniture than house try DIY Murphy beds for the kids. That way more furniture can fit in each bedroom because you are missing that room hog (during the day). At bedtime slide those extra pieces to the wall and drop down your bed

I would speak to a counselor before I moved in with someone. Blended families don't always work. Don't sell your home in case this doesn't work out. Sound like Dr. Phil don't I?