Post by MrsDeweySmith on Jul 30, 2005 15:34:49 GMT -5
I can't be the only one lacking in space and needing to really streamline my living (right 
) Here are some basic tips to get anyone started... Enjoy!
Deanna
MAXIMIZING THE SPACE THAT YOU HAVE…
…SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY…BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER, FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU REALLY NEED IN YOUR SPACE. GET RID OF EVERYTHING ELSE. NO MATTER WHAT TRICKS YOU USE TO MAXIMIZE SPACE, IF YOU PACK IT WITH TOO MUCH JUNK, IT WILL BE CRAMPED AND CLUTTERED. CONSIDER BUILDING A SHED FOR YOUR SELDOM USED STUFF THAT YOU JUST CAN’T PART WITH. THINK PRIORITIES. HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE YOUR SPACE? DO YOU WORK AT HOME? DO YOU ENTERTAIN? ARE YOU AN AVID READER WITH A NEED FOR A BIG, SOFT CHAIR? THINK NECESSITIES. DECIDE WHICH THINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, WHICH WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE, WHICH YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT IF NECESSARY.
…COLORS CAN ADD SPACE…LIGHT COLORS, COOL COLORS (LIGHT BLUES AND GREENS, BUTTERY YELLOWS) USE TONE-ON-TONE COLOR TECHNIQUES. PAINT FURNITURE AND RECOVER WITH CLOTH THAT MATCHES THE ROOM’S COLORS. AVOID WALLPAPER BORDERS AND DARKLY PAINTED MOLDINGS IN SMALL ROOMS; THEY TEND TO OUTLINE THE ROOM’S DIMENSIONS AND CAN MAKE YOUR SPACE SEEM SMALLER. PAINTING MOLDINGS AND TRIM A SLIGHTLY LIGHTER COLOR THAN THE WALLS CAN MAKE THE ROOM LOFTIER AND MORE SPACIOUS.
…ELIMINATE OBSTRUCTIONS…THE FARTHER YOU CAN SEE INTO AND THROUGH A SPACE, THE LARGER IT WILL SEEM. ARRANGE FURNISHINGS TO OPEN UP AREAS OF FLOOR. AVOID BLOCKING VIEWS TO WINDOWS AND DOORS. LOW BENCHES, OTTOMANS AND ARMLESS CHAIRS ARE GOOD CHOICES.
…BRING IN MORE LIGHT…BANISH ROOM DARKENING SHADOWS BY UNCOVERING WINDOWS AND ADDING MORE LIGHT FIXTURES. (L.E.D. LIGHTING WILL NOT USE VERY MUCH HOMEMADE ELECTRICITY). CONSIDER COVE LIGHTING ,UPLIGHTS, ROPE LIGHTS, BOOKSHELF LIGHTS, ETC.
…USE MIRRORS…MIRRORS CAN ADD SPARKLE AND DIMENSION TO ANY ROOM. USE MIRRORS FOR TABLE TOPS. WHEN YOU HANG MIRRORS ON A WALL, MAKE SURE THEY WILL REFLECT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SEE.
…USE GLASS AND LUCITE…FURNITURE MADE OF THESE MATERIALS WILL ADD SEE-THROUGH STYLE.
…USE SHEER FABRICS…FOR WINDOW TREATMENTS AND TABLECLOTHS. LETS LIGHT SHINE THROUGH WHILE ADDING SOFTNESS. AVOID HEAVY, FANCY WINDOW TREATMENTS THAT CUT OUT LIGHT AND MAKE THE ROOM FEEL FUSSY.
…USE LARGER PIECES AND ACCESSORIES…REDUCE VISUAL CLUTTER BY USING FEWER PIECES. LOTS OF SMALL PIECES CAN MAKE A ROOM LOOK CLUTTERED. CLUTTER TAKES UP SPACE, LOTS OF SPACE.
…USE PLAIN UPHOLSTERY…COVER SOFAS AND CHAIRS WITH PLAIN CLOTH RATHER THAN VIBRANT PRINTS. NEUTRAL TONES IN LIGHTER COLORS WILL MAKE THE ROOM FEEL LARGER.
…USE CLOSED STORAGE…TO CUT DOWN ON CLUTTER.
…USE SMOOTH SURFACES…AVIOD SHARP CORNERS. ROUND EDGES OF WALLS AND FURNITURE. USE SLEEK HANDLES, OR NO HANDLES AT ALL, ON FURNITURE AND CABINET DOORS. AVOID GROSS, BOLD TEXTURES.
…CREATE VISUAL LINES…USE FLOOR PATTERNS THAT EXTEND THE PATH OF THE EYE. LET WINDOWS TAKE THE EYE OUTSIDE. CREATE A SMOOTH INSIDE TO OUTSIDE TRANSITION WITH PLANTS AND GROUND COVERINGS.
…USE ONE TYPE OF WOOD…FOR TRIM AND FURNISHINGS.
…USE SIMPLE FLOOR COVERINGS…WITH MONOCHROMATIC TONES. WALL-TO-WALL COVERINGS ARE BETTER THAN AREA RUGS THAT BREAK UP A ROOM’S SPACE. LOW PILE CARPETS PROVIDE LESS OBTRUSIVE TEXTURES. TILE LAID ON THE DIAGONAL FOOLS THE EYE AND MAKES SPACE APPEAR LARGER.
…THINK MULTI-FUNCTION…A CEDAR CHEST (OR OTHER CHEST) WHICH CAN BE USED AS STORAGE CAN ALSO BE A COFFEE TABLE. A KITCHEN TABLE CAN ALSO BE A DESK. A CHEST OF DRAWERS CAN HOLD OFFICE SUPPLIES, LINENS, CDs OR EVEN STEREO COMPONENTS.
…USE BUILT-IN STORAGE…BUILT-INS CAN BE SQUEEZED INTO ANY NOOK OR CRANNY. THEY OFTEN TAKE LESS FLOOR SPACE THAN REGULAR FURNITURE.
…THINK VERTICAL…THE MOST UNDERUSED SPACE IN ANY ROOM IS THE TWO OR THREE FEET BELOW THE CEILING. INSTEAD OF A THREE OR FOUR FOOT TALL BOOKCASE, THINK ABOUT A SEVEN FOOT ONE. MOUNT SHELVES HIGH UP ON WALLS, OVER WINDOWS AND DOORS, OR ABOVE KITCHEN CABINETS.
…BE CREATIVE WITH SLEEPING SPACE…CONSIDER LOFTS, FUTONS, PULL-OUT COUCHES AND DAY BEDS. GO VISIT SOME NEWER COLLEGE DORM ROOMS WHERE BEDS ARE OFTEN PLACED ABOVE STUDY/EATING SPACES.
…PARE DOWN ON CLOTHING…PICK TWO COORDINATING COLORS OF BASICS (FOR INSTANCE,NAVY AND TAN). TRY TO HAVE NO MORE THAN TWO EACH OF THESE: PANTS; JACKETS; SWEATERS; SKIRTS; DRESSES; AND TWO PAIRS OF SHOES.
) Here are some basic tips to get anyone started... Enjoy!Deanna
MAXIMIZING THE SPACE THAT YOU HAVE…
…SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY…BEFORE YOU GO ANY FURTHER, FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU REALLY NEED IN YOUR SPACE. GET RID OF EVERYTHING ELSE. NO MATTER WHAT TRICKS YOU USE TO MAXIMIZE SPACE, IF YOU PACK IT WITH TOO MUCH JUNK, IT WILL BE CRAMPED AND CLUTTERED. CONSIDER BUILDING A SHED FOR YOUR SELDOM USED STUFF THAT YOU JUST CAN’T PART WITH. THINK PRIORITIES. HOW DO YOU WANT TO USE YOUR SPACE? DO YOU WORK AT HOME? DO YOU ENTERTAIN? ARE YOU AN AVID READER WITH A NEED FOR A BIG, SOFT CHAIR? THINK NECESSITIES. DECIDE WHICH THINGS ARE ESSENTIAL, WHICH WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE, WHICH YOU CAN LIVE WITHOUT IF NECESSARY.
…COLORS CAN ADD SPACE…LIGHT COLORS, COOL COLORS (LIGHT BLUES AND GREENS, BUTTERY YELLOWS) USE TONE-ON-TONE COLOR TECHNIQUES. PAINT FURNITURE AND RECOVER WITH CLOTH THAT MATCHES THE ROOM’S COLORS. AVOID WALLPAPER BORDERS AND DARKLY PAINTED MOLDINGS IN SMALL ROOMS; THEY TEND TO OUTLINE THE ROOM’S DIMENSIONS AND CAN MAKE YOUR SPACE SEEM SMALLER. PAINTING MOLDINGS AND TRIM A SLIGHTLY LIGHTER COLOR THAN THE WALLS CAN MAKE THE ROOM LOFTIER AND MORE SPACIOUS.
…ELIMINATE OBSTRUCTIONS…THE FARTHER YOU CAN SEE INTO AND THROUGH A SPACE, THE LARGER IT WILL SEEM. ARRANGE FURNISHINGS TO OPEN UP AREAS OF FLOOR. AVOID BLOCKING VIEWS TO WINDOWS AND DOORS. LOW BENCHES, OTTOMANS AND ARMLESS CHAIRS ARE GOOD CHOICES.
…BRING IN MORE LIGHT…BANISH ROOM DARKENING SHADOWS BY UNCOVERING WINDOWS AND ADDING MORE LIGHT FIXTURES. (L.E.D. LIGHTING WILL NOT USE VERY MUCH HOMEMADE ELECTRICITY). CONSIDER COVE LIGHTING ,UPLIGHTS, ROPE LIGHTS, BOOKSHELF LIGHTS, ETC.
…USE MIRRORS…MIRRORS CAN ADD SPARKLE AND DIMENSION TO ANY ROOM. USE MIRRORS FOR TABLE TOPS. WHEN YOU HANG MIRRORS ON A WALL, MAKE SURE THEY WILL REFLECT SOMETHING YOU WANT TO SEE.
…USE GLASS AND LUCITE…FURNITURE MADE OF THESE MATERIALS WILL ADD SEE-THROUGH STYLE.
…USE SHEER FABRICS…FOR WINDOW TREATMENTS AND TABLECLOTHS. LETS LIGHT SHINE THROUGH WHILE ADDING SOFTNESS. AVOID HEAVY, FANCY WINDOW TREATMENTS THAT CUT OUT LIGHT AND MAKE THE ROOM FEEL FUSSY.
…USE LARGER PIECES AND ACCESSORIES…REDUCE VISUAL CLUTTER BY USING FEWER PIECES. LOTS OF SMALL PIECES CAN MAKE A ROOM LOOK CLUTTERED. CLUTTER TAKES UP SPACE, LOTS OF SPACE.
…USE PLAIN UPHOLSTERY…COVER SOFAS AND CHAIRS WITH PLAIN CLOTH RATHER THAN VIBRANT PRINTS. NEUTRAL TONES IN LIGHTER COLORS WILL MAKE THE ROOM FEEL LARGER.
…USE CLOSED STORAGE…TO CUT DOWN ON CLUTTER.
…USE SMOOTH SURFACES…AVIOD SHARP CORNERS. ROUND EDGES OF WALLS AND FURNITURE. USE SLEEK HANDLES, OR NO HANDLES AT ALL, ON FURNITURE AND CABINET DOORS. AVOID GROSS, BOLD TEXTURES.
…CREATE VISUAL LINES…USE FLOOR PATTERNS THAT EXTEND THE PATH OF THE EYE. LET WINDOWS TAKE THE EYE OUTSIDE. CREATE A SMOOTH INSIDE TO OUTSIDE TRANSITION WITH PLANTS AND GROUND COVERINGS.
…USE ONE TYPE OF WOOD…FOR TRIM AND FURNISHINGS.
…USE SIMPLE FLOOR COVERINGS…WITH MONOCHROMATIC TONES. WALL-TO-WALL COVERINGS ARE BETTER THAN AREA RUGS THAT BREAK UP A ROOM’S SPACE. LOW PILE CARPETS PROVIDE LESS OBTRUSIVE TEXTURES. TILE LAID ON THE DIAGONAL FOOLS THE EYE AND MAKES SPACE APPEAR LARGER.
…THINK MULTI-FUNCTION…A CEDAR CHEST (OR OTHER CHEST) WHICH CAN BE USED AS STORAGE CAN ALSO BE A COFFEE TABLE. A KITCHEN TABLE CAN ALSO BE A DESK. A CHEST OF DRAWERS CAN HOLD OFFICE SUPPLIES, LINENS, CDs OR EVEN STEREO COMPONENTS.
…USE BUILT-IN STORAGE…BUILT-INS CAN BE SQUEEZED INTO ANY NOOK OR CRANNY. THEY OFTEN TAKE LESS FLOOR SPACE THAN REGULAR FURNITURE.
…THINK VERTICAL…THE MOST UNDERUSED SPACE IN ANY ROOM IS THE TWO OR THREE FEET BELOW THE CEILING. INSTEAD OF A THREE OR FOUR FOOT TALL BOOKCASE, THINK ABOUT A SEVEN FOOT ONE. MOUNT SHELVES HIGH UP ON WALLS, OVER WINDOWS AND DOORS, OR ABOVE KITCHEN CABINETS.
…BE CREATIVE WITH SLEEPING SPACE…CONSIDER LOFTS, FUTONS, PULL-OUT COUCHES AND DAY BEDS. GO VISIT SOME NEWER COLLEGE DORM ROOMS WHERE BEDS ARE OFTEN PLACED ABOVE STUDY/EATING SPACES.
…PARE DOWN ON CLOTHING…PICK TWO COORDINATING COLORS OF BASICS (FOR INSTANCE,NAVY AND TAN). TRY TO HAVE NO MORE THAN TWO EACH OF THESE: PANTS; JACKETS; SWEATERS; SKIRTS; DRESSES; AND TWO PAIRS OF SHOES.
