There are many ways to find more space throughout the house. You just have to let your imagination guide you and it is limitless. The secret to finding that ever-elusive space is sometimes as simple as looking at something in a new way.
living room
- Place a hall console table or dining room sideboard in the living room. Store everyday items in the drawers and save the tops for beautiful accessories.
- Place a large woven basket in a secluded spot to place coral cushions and Afghan blankets.
- Furniture that doubles as a coffee table with a tray on top frees up storage space that a bulky tray would require. The top of the tray lifts up for easy travel to other rooms.
bath
- An under-the-sink storage area built with simple 2x4s covered in plywood, then painted, will replace a vanity and add more space. Sectioned shelves will make organization easier and prevent the deep build-up that usually occurs in under-sink storage.
- Chrome baskets slide out easily for access to hand towels, washcloths, toilet paper and rolled bath products.
- A niche cut into the wall for a narrow cabinet and shelves adds plenty of hiding space but doesn’t intrude on the room.
- Countertop sinks take up less space below the sink, providing even more storage area below.
bedroom
- Fill in the “dead spots”. Built-in window seats make use of odd-sized areas that will provide storage under the cushions while providing a place to sit and watch.
- A mantelpiece makes a nifty headboard in a bedroom that’s too small. use the top for pretty accessories that won’t fit anywhere else in the room.
- Go vertical when there is no horizontal space. Wall mounted lights will light up the room and solve the dilemma of not having nightstands. The cables are hidden behind.
Base
- A quick way to make a big change is to cover a bare concrete floor with an inexpensive spill-proof vinyl floor.
- Instead of dropping the ceiling to hide the pipes, paint the existing ceiling and pipes with a heat and cold resistant paint. A bright or neutral white is best.
- The ceiling-high units next to the laundry center have sorting baskets, poles to hang clothes, and clear plastic bins to store other household items.
Office
- A laminate tabletop placed on top of a file cabinet at one end and anchored to the wall unit at the other becomes an instant desk.
- A closet accommodates a custom-built desk, and units for the computer, printer, and scanner keep equipment tidy and out of the way.
Kitchen
- A small acrylic pedestal table sits neatly in a corner and is ideal for a quick meal or a game of cards.
- Keep things on one level. Because the backs are low, woven-back chairs don’t look bulky or take up a lot of space.
- Leave the windows bare and let the sun in. – Choose a whiter shade of pale like white cabinets, walls, and furniture to visually open up the space.
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