Finding Extra Space in a Small Room

Many, many times I find myself trying to squeeze just a little extra space out of an already small room.  I ran across these creative solutions and just had to share them.

A place for hanging pots built between two kitchen joists.  The green paint on the back wall adds a pop of color. 

 

A cozy bedroom alcove for sitting.  The perfect substitute when there isn't room for a chair.  Notice the built-in lighting and trim around the edges. 

Shelving for books and display at the bottom of the steps.  Flat pillows are stored under the window seat.  What a clever idea!

Open shelving in the bathroom framed and painted to complement the wall color.  The thin ledge underneath the shelving and running the length of the bathroom, is also ideal for keeping small frequently used items within easy reach.

Custom shelving built under the eaves in this small bedroom uses space that would otherwise be empty.  Carrying the wall color to the shelves adds depth to the tiny room.

Enjoy your weekend!

Genevieve

The old becomes new...

Every month you can find me drooling over the latest small home featured on  The Old Painted Cottage blog.  It gives me inspiration even in my most non-creative phases of Tiny Home Living! 

Today I was glancing through some of the archives and appreciating the homeowners' imaginative uses of furniture and displays for storage and showing off collectibles.  Here are just a few of my favorites.

All Photos Courtesy of The Old Painted Cottage

Old shelving in an entryway holding jars, shoes and dishes of money and car keys.

Vintage cabinets displaying ironware and linens. Metal baskets of rolled towels. 

Ugly plumbing and cleaning supplies hidden by long fabric skirts.

Crates stacked to form a shelving unit holding baskets and collectibles.

Utility shelving artfully displaying kitchen pots and pans, metal strips to hold knives.  Bathroom fixtures with hooks to keep coffee mugs at the ready.

Ladders serving as a pot holder and drying rack.

Old screen doors closing in a beautifully lit linen closet.

Jars with decorative labels to store laundry supplies.

Vintage pharmacy cabinets in a bathroom holding towels, soap and bath salts.

Open kitchen shelving decorated seasonally.

Inspiration at its finest.  Go for a visit on a snowy afternoon.  I promise you won't be disappointed! 

~Amber

Every Girl's Dream

A beautiful wardrobe - simply divine!

Teeny Tiny!

 All Photos Courtesy of Apartment Therapy

This cottage is 350 square feet.  Yes, you heard me.  And you thought your house was small.  Tsk, tsk...that'll teach you to complain about your storage space!

This 1930's bungalow is fortunate for the element of light.  It is bathed in natural light and that gives this small space the feeling of being outdoors, larger, more open.  By keeping the room fresh and white splashes of bold, vibrant color, the homeowner embraces the beach cottage feel and makes it her own.

When asked what the biggest design challenge was for this homeowner, she replied " My greatest challenge has been finding storage that serves the dual function of killer design and smart hiding place."  She repurposes items such as kitchen shelves, armoires, and a media cabinet to house her television and her wet bar.

By hanging curtains at the very top of the ceiling the owner of this small space distracts the eye and draws our attention up creating more space.  She also uses a neutral floor covering to trick our eye.

The next time you feel like complaining about your lack of storage, consider this small space and breathe a little easier knowing you can stretch your legs!

~Amber

Simple Storage Solutions for 2011!

Happy New Year!!!  One of my favorite things about saying goodbye to year end is also saying goodbye to clutter and reassessing my storage needs.  As much as I love Christmas and its abundance of decor and festivities, I love to pack it all up, scrub my house from top to bottom and organize!  It feels like starting the year off on the right foot.

A common problem in many small homes is storage.  I love to see clever ideas for storage paired with displays and home decorations!

Photos Courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens

These ready to assemble shelves mounted to the wall provide storage for books, CD's and also add to the modern look of this home's decor.  The divided shelves make organization easy, but still look stylish!

We've all seen armoires used for storing many different items, but it looks like art in this glass fronted cabinet! Large prints, vases and books can be stored in this piece of furniture and look lovely.

I love re-purposed furniture!  It makes me feel frugal and clever.  This end table was once wooden closet shelving and now doubles as a craft supply area while CD storage sits on top!  Love it.

Alcoves are often considered troublesome decorating areas in a home.  This homeowner thought outside the box and installed shelving in this alcove.  A perfect way to showcase art and display collections that might otherwise be relegated to the attic.

Peek-A-Boo!  This old desk got a fresh coat of paint and some whimsical curtains and now doubles as a dining room buffet.  The hidden storage behind the fabric holds linens, serving ware and table decorations.

Using your imagination can be the key to organization.  This entry way is fun and creative with a few re-purposed items.  Old air vents were spray painted and hung on the wall to organize mail and letters to the teacher.  A drawer was turned on its side, nailed to the wall and now doubles as a key holder.  And the wooden sectioned shoe rack is neatly labeled for each family member.

Transform a basic table into a multi-use work station by hanging wine racks and baskets under the surface to hold utensils and build a larger shelf below to hold big items like mixing bowls.  Instant kitchen island!

This vegetable bin once held potatoes and onions but is now transformed into a bedside table that holds clothes, but could also be used to store toys or books!

Look for hidden treasures in your attic or at garage sales around town.  You never know what new piece you can reinvent to serve an altogether new purpose for the new year.  Now, go get organized!

~Amber

Everything In Its Place

There's no excuse for being untidy with all these wonderful storage ideas!

Organizing with Style

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

I love it when a room is both organized and stylish!  A house can be the most perfect looking house from outside, but decorating means nothing when you can't find your car keys or the kids' backpack.  

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

If I use an item daily, I normally leave it out or keep it somewhere within easy reach.  However, just because an item is a necessity doesn't mean it can't be cute and stylish!

 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

My favorite thing to view in all my home magazines and idea circulars is to see everyday items made functional and lovely.  Look how these keys became a focal point with just a little creative organization.  Love that!

 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

If something is interesting or pleasing to the eye, who says we can't leave it out on display?  I love the green color of this Kitchen Aid mixer.  Why not leave it out every day?

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Those of us living in small spaces know firsthand how important storage, organization and functionality are.  When considering organization versus style, try weeding out those items that are not necessarily used more than twice a week.  These items don't need to be left on display unless you love the way it looks.  

 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

I love everyday objects made beautiful.  I'm a sucker for beautiful soap arrangements, luxurious towels artfully folded and toiletries left on display. 

Photo Courtesy of Country Living

Confucius says  "Everything has beauty.

Storage: Kid's Art!

I just love my creative kiddos and I hate to throw away any piece of artwork that they have spent their valuable time creating! But I must admit, it begins to pile up! What starts out as a small collection quickly grows. Here are some fun and creative ways to display and store your child's masterpiece.

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Take advantage of a trusty old Three-Ring Binder! Let the kids decorate the front, punch some holes in their artwork and file away! Each child can have their own special color.

• Re-use pizza boxes! That's right, a clean pizza box covered in shelf paper is the perfect storage box. Flat and square, they stack easily and fit on most closet shelves, under beds and out of the way!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Display new creations by attaching string to a yardstick for an impromptu mobile. Using binder clips purchased at an office supply store, you can switch out old creations with new ones on a weekly basis!

• Scan artwork into your computer and use as your screen saver or digital wallpaper!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• Purchase inexpensive wooden picture frames and paint them all one color. Frame your little Picasso's drawings and group them together to make a stunning and eye-catching display in their bedroom or in your entryway!

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• One of our favorite ways to display artwork is by attaching a clothesline and clipping art to the line to display a gallery of work. You can also use magnetic strips like the one pictured above, attach a self-adhesive magnet to the art and display!
  

Photo Courtesy of Family Fun

• What to do about on-going projects? We purchased simple wall-mount mailboxes from the local Home & Garden Supply store and painted them to match our walls. By using alphabet magnets to spell out the kids name we created the perfect spot to store drawings that didn't get finished that day and need to be finished. After all, some art is an on-going work in progress!

~Amber