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Does Size Really Matter?
For many of us, the concept of "living well" looks a little different these days. On the surface, it is less about opulence and fashion and more about comfort, ease, and personal style.
Some factors contributing to this change... an uncertain economy, a shift in personal values and major advances in technology, are also motivating people to view smaller living spaces as a positive alternative. Requiring less time, energy and money, they provide greater lifestyle flexibility.
Design elements can enhance the small space living experience. The following strategies will significantly diminish the loss of square footage:
A Functional & Flexible Furniture layout
- Create a list of all of the functions that need to be performed in each room. It is key to both the layout and selection of furnishings.
- Subliminally create different zones for different functions in each room, rather than separating them with walls or tall visual barriers.
- Determine which functions can be performed in the same place, but at different times. For instance, can an office, with the addition of a Murphy bed or sleep sofa, double as a guest room? Can a dining area double as an office space?
- Put furniture on casters, allowing it to be repositioned easily. When entertaining, pull dining chairs into the main living area to supplement seating or place the dining table against the wall for use as a buffet and bar area, providing more room for guests to circulate.
Multi-purpose Furnishings
- Select furniture that can serve a dual purpose like sofa beds, coffee tables that elevate to dining height, console tables that expand into dining tables or ottomans and beds that have interior storage compartments.
- Identify furniture pieces in your space that can possibly roll away or stack. A series of small coffee tables in the same style and size can be grouped together to form one large table or reconfigured for use as individual side tables.
Maximized Storage
- The leading reasons for clutter are not enough storage, the wrong type of storage or the inability to let go of items that are no longer useful.
- A collection of unrelated storage pieces in varying types and sizes, placed all in one room, creates visual chaos.
- Built-in storage, with cabinets and drawers to conceal clutter, visually streamlines a space. Alternatively, lining up a series of tall bookcases or etageres, filled with attractive storage containers of the same style, is another strong, clean solution.
- Fit out closet interiors with shelving systems to use the space to its fullest potential.
Downsizing into a smaller living space isn't a consolation prize. It can be your key to freedom and an engaging new way of life. If you need some assistance making the transition, we are here to help!
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