Posted on: Tuesday, March 15, 2005
How to maximize a minimum of space
By Diane Goldsmith
Knight Ridder News Service
Ideas for making the most of limited space can be applied to homes of any size. Here are tips from small-space experts Dennis Wedlick and Christopher Lowell:
Gannett News service photo • A space revealed in stages is more satisfying, so find ways to create "layers." Built-in shelves can add depth to a room that lacks interesting architectural details. • Whenever possible, borrow light and space (or a view of it). If you're a homeowner, create something outside you like looking at, such as a garden, and install a window to gaze upon it. If you're a renter, position a mirror diagonally opposite a window to reflect the view beyond. • Don't rely on furniture to provide all the visual interest in a room. Consider window treatments, textures, and other details. • Choose furniture that's versatile both in function and use of space, including dropleaf tables, daybeds that can double as sofas, and beds with storage underneath or in the headboard or footboard. • Select a pair of club chairs over a loveseat — a potential space hog. (Two people won't sit on it unless they really like each other.) • Group seating in the center of a room to save wall space for shelving. • Good lighting makes a small space more flexible. Instead of hanging one ceiling fixture in the middle of a room, use different lighting sources throughout.
• Reduce clutter by getting rid of items you no longer have a connection to, rather than taking up valuable storage.
Functional furniture, with pockets and side tables, can make a small space more livable.
