Big solutions for small spaces... (Part 3)

Now that we've all decided that small homes can serve up ample comfort, let's examine how we can stretch the boundaries of our less is more rule.

One of the most common complaints I hear from home-owners is the lack of a mudroom or catch-all area for those coming and going though our door(s). Because I have already examined this exact issue, I will simply refer you to this post...and this one, and show you great examples of optical illusion mudrooms:

photo: Coastal Living

photo: Jean Allsopp

photo: BHG.com

These old lockers, reclaimed from a school, make excellent storage and take up very little room. They could serve as not only a mini-mudroom, but also a pantry, utility cupboard and more.

photo: My Home Ideas.com

A separate laundry room is often another fantasy of small-home-owners. Many older homes relegated the laundry area to the basement. As if the endless flow of laundry isn't dreary enough! If you have the budget to hire a plumber, check to see of you can install your machines in a closet on the upper floors. If your linen closet is ample, perhaps you can invest in stacking machines, which still enables you to have some linen storage space. The example below is an ideal example of a recessed laundry area. The front-loading appliances allow for a counter-top to be installed...offering up a surface to fold clothes, store laundry supplies or, alternately, even serve as a seasonal wrapping station!

When space is at a premium, having a home office can seem like a pipe dream. However, if you give up the notion that your office needs four walls and a large desk, you just might be able to squeeze one in. If you can spare it, empty out a little used closet and install shelving, a small work surface and a task light, and you will have the perfect place to catch up on emails, do online banking, or read...blogs!! If every closet is in use, then start tapping! Investigate whether there are any recesses that can be hollowed out (not a technical term) and retro-fitted with your future office space! The photo below best illustrates just how great an idea this is. I love the use of curtains on a simple cafe rod to hide computer guts, filing cabinets, and the inevitable jumble of electrical cords that come with the territory. Simply pull up a stool, and get to work. A similar set-up can also work well as a craft/wrapping area, child's homework station, or message center for a busy family. In this example, a hallway or pass-through serves as a very useful command central for all the members of this family. Remember, when space is limited, go up! Use the vertical spaces in your home to your advantage. In this case, books, photo albums, photos, and magazines are neatly tucked away, but within easy reach when needed.
Another great example of how hidden storage areas are lurking within one's walls is shown over at Chris' Just Beachy blog. Chris went poking around and solved a storage issue she was having in her bathroom.Chris is a master of transforming a smaller home into a home that lives large. She uses each and every nook and cranny to its best advantage. While her home is not small, it also is not considered large by many standards. High ceilings help it to feel more spacious and airy, and Chris has maximized the functionality of her home with true finesse. She even offers up a great solution for organizing the overflow of magazines so many of us have.

An actual guest room to put visiting family is something I can only dream of. At present, we only have a futon in my husband's office where we retreat to when company comes. I always insist that our parents use our bed (as we all know how comfortable they are), but the situation is less than ideal. When just our mothers visit (one at a time, of course), we often give them Sophie's room, and she piles into our bed. Another less than perfect solution! So, I am in search of a better solution. I love this glorious, decadent daybed, which has a pull-out trundle. Great for sleep-overs for friends and cousins, but somehow I don't see my father sleeping comfortable on that! Not to mention, it is in a huge room...in an obviously huge house!! Still, I threw in that photo for our viewing pleasure...~sigh~

I think the ideal solution to this problem is to have a Murphy bed. Some even multi-task as a slick office area and bed. I saw them at a home show a while back, and they seem like the perfect solution. Now just to find a pretty one...or the plans to make one. Paul...???

Liz at Violet Posy shared her solution to this common small space dilemma: "...when we upgraded our double bed to a super-king, we gave the old double to our then 3 year old daughter. It means that if we have guests to stay they can have her room and she has the princess blow up bed in our room." As the British say, brilliant! Right, Liz??

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In keeping with my tiny house tours, here is the most amazing link to the most adorable, tiny homes. It was brought to my attention by Jen. Go tell her thanks for making us all feel better about our small homes!!

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Next time, we will look at some survival tactics for dealing with the (ahem) shortcomings of living in a smaller space. Storage, furniture selection, colours, organization. We are on the case!!