What To Do When Space Lacks Full Function

All indoor space is prime real estate.  It’s what you do with it that really counts.  Utilizing the underutilized maximizes your square footage and can create more function where there was once blank space. 

A home office is on the wish list of many future home buyers.  Yet a room set aside for work and technology is not always an option.  When you still need a designated place for that work space, think smaller.  Some linen and hallway closets are not living up to their full potential, but instead hold more storage-related items, coats that never see a cold day, or sheets and towels that do not get used.  By cleaning out those shelves and adding document cases for paperwork storage, bins for office supplies, and a home base for a laptop, you just added a functional space, minus the need for more square feet.

The layout and design of some homes leaves little areas that seemingly serve little purpose.  Wider areas of hallways, cutouts in a room, landings, and some bay windows can all make you wonder just what to put there.  Consider incorporating what is referred to as a reading nook: a stand-alone chair with a floor lamp or small table and lamp.  Set apart from a main living room seating arrangement, a reading nook can be cozy and inviting and can add additional colors and dimension to a room.  With room for a small bookcase, you also add new surfaces for storing books and magazine files and displaying a collection or decorative pieces. 

In small living spaces, offering a multi-functional guest space can let an area do double duty when needed.  A chair and a half can double as a comfy pullout bed in a tighter space for a single overnight guest.  Additionally, using a room as half home office and half guest room can be accomplished easily with the right furniture and arrangement.             

Look around and see what space is lacking function in your home.  A little rearranging or adding a few small furniture pieces can create a whole new room or new purpose where there once was none.   

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 29th.  

From the Ground Up: Roles of Rugs

Whether you are trying to catch dirt before it crosses your threshold or soften your steps while standing at the bathroom sink, rugs play some pretty important roles across the floors in your home.  Ensuring they are functional, attractive, and well-fitted for their spaces just takes a little knowhow and planning.

Area rugs in living room seating areas and under dining room tables can be costly but well worth the investment, since large rugs are not items changed out very often.  Choose a rug that blends well with the surrounding flooring.  It does not have the match it of course, but should be either another shade of a neutral at its base or a pop of color that highlights the seating arrangement.  Whether you stay neutral or choose a bolder color, consider the longevity of its staying power should you decide to change any furniture pieces.

When sizing large rugs, consider that the edges should be under each piece of furniture in your seating area.  A rug that simply grounds your coffee table and then is not large enough to extend under your couch and chairs is too small, and thus will not act as the appealing unifier it should be that anchors your furniture in a cozy, inviting fashion.  At a dining table, each chair should be able to be pushed back for dinner guests to get in and out and still have the back chair legs on the rug.  This creates the most unified look.  Plus, the frequent movement of chair legs could otherwise damage or scuff floor surfaces beyond the rug area.

For small rugs in entryways, at the kitchen sink, and in the bathrooms at the sinks and toilet base, think about the backing.  If your rug backing tends to be dried out, damaged, and crumbly when washed and dried, you would likely be better off with a more modern small rug that has no backing.  Instead, many rug options now are rugs on both sides that perhaps just have two different textures.  This way, you can machine wash them frequently enough for them to be fluffy, fresh, and clean and still in good condition. 

Just because they let you walk all over them doesn’t mean your home’s rugs don’t need a little TLC when choosing and maintaining them.  After all, quality interior design usually starts from the ground up.     

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 22nd.

10 Things: Easy Updates for Early Spring

1.  Restock your guestroom and bathroom.  Now that holiday travelers have come and gone, make note on your next grocery list what items need refills and backups – hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, new toothbrush packages, candles, and the like.  Do that now, and you will be set for your next set of guests without the last minute rush to prepare their space.   

2.  Frame the family.  Despite the prevalence of photos mainly online, framed family photos are still nice at home.  If you had a stand-out Christmas card photo taken or now have a good group shot after the holidays, print a large version and frame it to display on the mantel or as the center to a grouping hanging on a wall.

3.  Revamp the pantry.  Without all the extras you hauled in for your plethora of recipes last month, your pantry may need a little makeover to get it straight and organized.  And if 2012 is starting out on a health kick, now is a good time to purge the sugary treats now off-limits and stock with go-to meal options.  Why tempt yourself?

4.  Try a new living room arrangement.  If “the more, the merrier” in December showed you your home could use a new arrangement or traffic flow, enlist the help of some heavy lifters and try out new orientations with your seating and tables in your living areas for a fresh start.  

5.  Clean up the desk.  The thought of delving into 2011 taxes may be too taxing so early.  But you could give yourself a head start by ensuring your most recent files are in order and you have a refilled supply of office necessities like pens, paper, stamps, and so forth.

6.  Back up the family computers.  While you’re at it, use an exterior hard drive to back up every family member’s computer or laptop.  Name your hard drive folders with the computer owner and “January 2012,” and be assured you’re covered should there be any system failure in the near future.  Doing this quarterly is a safe idea to secure your important files.

7.  Cash in those gift cards.  Do not let your Christmas gift cards go to waste or be forgotten.  Make a list of things you want to replace, update, or add, and get shopping.  General gift cards can get you great new sheets, throw pillows, wall art, and contemporary accessories on someone else’s dollar.

8.  Set the table.  If your dining table now looks pretty sparse, put together a centerpiece that will carry you through spring.  Use natural elements like branches, stones, moss, and water for simple and easy décor.  Or focus on the next holiday and pepper your table with some pink and red as you look ahead to Valentine’s Day.

9.  Highlight your front door.  Minus wreaths and yard decorations, the front entry can look a little bare in January.  Arrange some taller potted plants or topiaries around your front door.  Throw down a general welcome mat.  Maybe even give your door a new coat of paint to spruce up your curb appeal.       

10.  Make your own list and check it twice.  Santa’s on vacation.  Put pencil and paper to planning ahead for your spring cleaning.  Take stock now of projects you could work in over the next few months so you can prepare a budget and set aside time.  Consider things like adding to your spring flowerbeds, getting your carpets professionally cleaned, fixing any household repairs in need, and painting inside or out.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 15th.

What Will Heat Up in 2012

Hot decorating trends abound at the start of each New Year.  What’s hot, what’s trending, and what will be “all the rage” indoors for the next 12 months in particular is something to brush up on now if you like to stay current.  So here is the scoop I’ve gathered . . .

 The most popular colors for paint, linens, and household accessories seem to be darker, rich shades this season: deep coral, peacock teal, emerald green, and ruby red.  Their cooler counterparts are light gray, bright butter yellow, camel brown, and bright white and beige.  Whether painting fresh walls, updating bed linens or window treatments, or adding new decorative elements, these shades are some to consider. 

Luxurious finishing touches also appear to be popular for 2012.  Marble and granite, dark slate tile, and glass bar tile in everything from a spa-like clear finish to shades of brown, green, and blue will accent kitchens and bathrooms alike.  Textures and layers will cover beds, tabletops, and seating area flooring.  Glossy surfaces of furniture and decorative accent pieces will be favored.  Mixes of materials – shiny with wood, silky with textured – will add depth and dimension to easy, eclectic style. 

Light will be an accessory of choice, with the use of large mirrors on open wall space and metallic decorations of silver, glass, and crystal.  Eco-friendly materials and products will continue to be popular choices when building, remodeling, and revamping this year. 

What is always in style is personalizing your space to let it reflect you.  There is something truly classic about using the shades, the materials, and the accessories that show off sides of your personality.  So let yourself shine in 2012.  That is one design tip that will never go out of style.  

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 8th.    
     

In With the New

“Out with the old, in with the new” is a statement most fitting for today of all days.  As 2012 is upon us and lists of New Year’s resolutions are being written out everywhere, there is no time like the present to contemplate things fresh and new for your New Year.

January is the perfect month for organization projects throughout your home.  Since Santa is usually very good, making room for new gifts should involve some of that “out with the old.”  If you were given some new small appliances and kitchen gadgets, what can now be removed to clear some counter or pantry shelf space of older items?  If you were given decorative items and household accents, what could you put away so your new displays can be featured solo?  Since the kids were likely given the latest and greatest of the toy department, what can you consider donating to teach them about giving and reclaim your storage structure at the same time? 

To add to your list making, what around-the-house projects would be perfect to get going on this year?  Paint a room or two to liven up your living area.  Switch out some lighting fixtures for more modern shine indoors.  Replace dated flooring for economical, easy maintenance options.  If you plan on moving this year, enlist some trusted outside opinions to start gathering ideas about making updates to add value and real estate appeal to your home over your future competition.     

Those things are thinking on a bigger scale.  But what are the little things that can make your 2012 fresh and new?  Add flowers to your home from time to time.  Build a date night into your schedule.  Treat yourself to a little something new and special, whether that be ordering that tempting dessert occasionally, or indulging in a house cleaning service quarterly for “the big stuff” in particular. 

Whatever appeals to you, make room in your home and your days for the new, the creative, the energizing for a revitalizing 2012.

DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 1st.