From the Floors Up

Smart Space Savers for a Family (Part One)

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Let’s be honest; the space in your home is precious, but it always has a limiting factor.  Getting the most out of your space is essential for functionality and design.  To help, we created this Space Saving series to help you with common household space challenges.  The more you learn how to consolidate, minimalize, and multitask items in your home, the more space you can have.  

Perhaps, your small space was working for you, but new challenges came to surface.  For example, you are living in a single-family home, you have every room occupied, and a child is on the way.  Do you move, or do you tailor your space for the expected arrival of the new family member?  To help you make the decision, we have several ideas to consider before packing up and relocating. Let’s take a look! 

Eliminate a “Want” Room

Your first step is to consider all the space used in your home.  For example, Jack and Jill have two children, both occupying bedrooms.  Jack has his own study where he can get away, check his emails, and read.  Jill has renovated the basement into her music studio.  A new child is on the way, and they must eliminate a space.    They have the option of eliminating either one of their “want” rooms to create a space for their new child. Eliminating a “want” room can be the first step of action when expecting a new family member.  

Multipurpose Room

Another idea to contemplate is combining two rooms into one.  Jack and Jill could combine both their children into one room which would free up a new space. They could also turn the study or studio into a combined space as well.  Combining rooms can sometimes create clutter; therefore, Jack and Jill should be careful when connecting their “want” rooms.

In your own life, decide if there are rooms in your home which could be shared.  Maybe your office could be moved into your master bedroom, or your home gym can be moved out of the basement into the garage.  Creating a multipurpose room is a way to prevent eliminating your “want” rooms by just consolidating them.

Not every home can accompany space demands.  We recommend assessing all options before moving. 

Do not forget to check out Part Two to see more options available for Jack and Jill.  Thanks for reading!

How to Eliminate Visual Obstructions in Your Design

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Do you lack extra space in your home?  Space can be an essential element to how your home portrays itself, and a lack of space can make your designs feel overwhelming, disheveled, unorganized, and messy, even when everything is clean.  Learning to conquer these challenges can seem like a daunting task at first, but with some simple tricks, you can transform your home into a sleek, visually appealing design. 

The first step to creating a sleek design is to focus on your view. If your room feels clutter or chaotic, it may be due to your space and the way your furniture pieces are designed. To help you create a less visually obstructive view, we have created four tips. Let’s take a look!

Low Profile Furniture

Your furniture and decor should make a statement but not feel overly prominent in the space.  Bulky dresser and large couches can be beautiful in the right environment; however, if you feel like you are tight on space, consider eliminating your large, encumbering furniture and replace it with more sleek, low profile designs.  Low profile couches can give the illusion that your ceiling is higher than it actually is.  More compacted entertainment centers can allow for more space in your den.  Even downsizing from a king size to a queen size be may be a smart move for your space.  But remember, not all rooms are created the same.  A king sized mattress may look great in a large room, but it can be overwhelming in a smaller sized bedroom. 

Minimalist Approach

Less is more.  Free up your countertop space and eliminate excess decor for a minimalistic look.  This approach is ideal for smaller space living.  Consider everything that you bring into your home.  Everything needs to serve a purpose.  Multiple-functional furniture is perfect for saving extra space. For example, you could look for furniture that can serve as a storage solution as well as seating. This dual-purpose seating option will give you a place to store your blankets while eliminating the visual obstruction an extra basket may cause. 

Extra Lighting

Nothing opens a room better than great lighting.  Focus on how much light your room has in it and do not be afraid to add more.  Natural lighting is ideal but if it is not an option, invest in brighter light bulbs.  It can make a significant difference by switching all your light bulbs to higher-quality, brighter bulbs.  Brighter bulbs can help illuminate the room better and aid in the atmosphere feeling more open and more welcoming.

Mirrors

Adding mirrors to your space can also enhance the room’s light flow.  Mirrors are great for eliminating boundaries in rooms and making walls look like they go on past the surface. Rooms with no windows can use mirrors to help open up the space. They have so many different benefits that they bring to any room.  Consider adding mirrors to your small room to help open up the space.

Making your space feel less obtrusive is an art and a science.  Consider everything you bring into your home and its purpose.  It can be challenging but rewarding when you change your room to create a more open layout. 

Transforming Your Space from Small to Big

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If your space feels small, it can quickly hurt the overall appeal of a room.  Smaller spaces tend to feel more clutter, less comfortable, and sadly, unwelcoming.  You cannot always change the blueprint of your space; however, there are several simple tricks that can help your space feel significantly larger without breaking ground or the budget.  Incorporating these three simple tricks in your home is an easy way to enhance your space and make smaller areas appear more substantial. Let’s take a look! 

Light Colors

Applying a light color palette to your room’s theme is a simple yet effective way to help make a small room appear bigger.  Light can travel easier through the room, making the space feel brighter and more open.  Using this paint trick on your walls and ceiling is the first step, but you can take it a step further by using light colors even on the ground and for your decor pieces.  The brighter a room, the larger it will look. Finish off by adding bright lights in your room and consider if it is bright enough.  If not, you may also want to apply more lighting in the room to create the perfect balance of brightness. 

Mirrors

Another great tool to help your small space appear bigger is using mirrors.  Rooms may seem smaller because of boundaries. Using mirrors can help visually eliminate those boundaries.  Mirrors will create the illusion that the space continues while allowing light to reflect around the room, opening up the space. 

Furniture

If a room feels cluttered and small, consider replacing or removing furniture.  Low-profile couches and beds will give the illusion that your ceiling height is higher than it actually is. Using glass end tables or coffee tables can allow you to see through the room easier and leave it feeling less obtrusive.  

Open design furniture that is less bulky and more open can leave your atmosphere feeling airy. The more you add to the room, the smaller the space will appear.  A minimalist approach to smaller areas is key to having your room looking larger.

The key to making your space feel bigger is allowing the space to feel open.  Try incorporating these three tricks in your space and watch the wonders it can do on your home.  For more great tips and tricks, visit us at From The Floors Up. 

From the Floors Up

From the Floors Up blog was created with the goal of providing a destination for consumers, designers and those interested in the flooring, design, and kitchen and bath industries. Here you’ll find, current, accurate and informative information that is always just a click away!

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