As trends in living space transition downward, it could proportionately compound the amount of clutter stacking up on shelves, and in closets, basements and attics. So we turned to Greg Dodge whose recent post at designbasics.com reviewed “5 Modern Ways to Reduce Wasted Space in Your Floor Plan.”
A couple of suggestions Dodge provides are to knock down walls, and even eliminate entire conventional rooms if that’s what it takes to expand the floor plan.
For home designs have multiple small rooms, if it is not imperative to your lifestyle, Dodge says knock down a few walls and open up the area. Open floor plans are the way many modern home designs are leaning – and are on the ‘must-have’ list for many homeowners.
And if the floor plan of your home includes a dining room, and your family lifestyle has no need for a formal place to eat your meals, Dodge says consider converting this space into an office, playroom, craft room or just about anything else you would actually use on a regular basis.
Personal organizing expert Dena Pasis (personalorganizing.about.com) believes by adopting a few simple strategies, you can maximize your living space, conquer clutter and get organized.
Pasis goes for wall storage. She says walls are a great use of space that is often neglected.
Pasis says using wall-mounted shelving, a baker’s rack or cabinets provide a functional option for freeing up floor space and accommodating a number of storage solutions:
- Photos
- Photo Albums
- Books, Catalogs or Magazines
- Multi-Media
- Office Supplies
- Correspondence
- Craft Supplies
- Keepsakes
To avoid a cluttered look and to create defined spaces, Pasis says room dividers are a great solution. They provide separation while having a functional and stylish purpose.
Furniture pieces with storage compartments provide a great space-saving option as well Pasis says. Another option to create a separate area is to use an armoire for an office or craft room, the doors on the armoire will allow for the same function as a closet.
