Small Ways To Make Your Home Fit Your Family’s Needs Better
Getting ready for the Holiday Season is joyful, but also , in my case realizing that I had too much stuff that could be eliminated or given to a charity. While digging out my Christmas decorations I felt so overwhelmed by the stuff that I have been
collecting that I really felt claustrophobic in a strange way, so I wanted to share some advice to my Oakland County home owners and maybe future home buyers. If it seems like the walls are closing in around you, it might actually be true. More stuff? More kids? New pets? Children grown but not yet out of the house? Maybe your elderly parents have moved back in? Maybe you’re even running a home office from your residence? All these changes—and all the extra stuff that comes with them—can make any home feel cramped.
What can you do—short of moving? Here are five proven tips to make your home “live bigger.
Before you buy it, think
What will you toss, recycle or give away when you bring something new to your home? If you are just adding to your stash, reconsider. If it’s “just nice to have” or you’ll “use it later,” hold off.
If it’s flimsy, avoid the clutter and hassle of dealing with it after it breaks. Sometimes waiting to buy the well-made, but more expensive item makes more sense.
Review your belongings, one-by-one
Do a deep declutter. Unpack every closet, drawer, cubby, container and bin. Pretend you’re moving. Be ruthless with the 5-Pile-Moving-Mantra: Sell, Return, Give/Donate, Toss/Recycle or Keep/Use. You don’t have to do this all at once. But carve out time to cut back your stored stuff.
Don’t hide things
When items are stored in opaque bins and closed boxes, no one can remember what’s inside; out of sight, out of mind. Bury the bins in closets, attics, crawl spaces, basements or under beds, and the memory gets even dustier. Inventory each box using the 5-Pile standard, and you’ll be amazed how much unwanted stuff you’ll clear out.
Double duty wins
Make sure new purchases can do multiple things, making them more useful. If you find a desk that has lots of storage space and a chair can fit completely under it, that desk can make a bookcase unneeded and more practical than a desk with a chair that sticks out.If the dining room is rarely used, convert it into your home office with a cabinet desk or get a credenza so that you can put away your work gear when meal time arrives.
Know when to throw in the towel
Sometimes, a home truly isn’t going to feel spacious no matter what you do. If you’ve worked through these declutter tips, but your home’s still not big enough for your needs, give us a call. We can help you sell your home and find a new one that is just right for you. Best of all, the packing for your move is mostly done!
Decorating For Small Spaces
If you live in a smaller home or condo, you face some particular decorating challenges. Getting comfort and style while reducing clutter in a small home can be done with a few smart furniture choices and a good understanding of colors and placement in small rooms.
Keep It Light And Bright
Dark colors make a room look smaller, so stick to lighter choices for small rooms. If you absolutely love dark red or chocolate brown, there is no reason you can’t make it a part of your room, just use it as an accent color instead of painting the walls in that color. Try to choose lighter tones for flooring, wall paint, and the largest pieces of furniture in the room.
Darker, more vibrant colors are perfect for things like throw cushions, place mats, candles, and decorative vases and other art pieces. They will bring those richer colors into the space without overwhelming it and making it feel dark and cramped.
Choose Furniture That Does More
Save space by making your furniture multi-task for you. Look for coffee and end tables that include storage for books, remote controls, and magazines. Choose storage ottomans where you can stash extra blankets and other items. If you occasionally need a larger dining room table, pick one with a butterfly leaf that can easily be tucked away when not in use.
Look for an all-in-one entertainment unit for your television and home theater components that will allow you to tuck things away out of sight to prevent clutter. A unit that includes storage for DVDs and CDs provides even more use—but watch that the piece is not so large as to dwarf the room.
Simple Walls And Windows
Putting too much on the walls contributes to the clutter feeling, so keep it simple. Choose a few favorite paintings or carefully placed floating shelves showcasing your favorite vase or candles. Keep framed photos simple; avoid fancy frames and don’t hang too many photos in one place.
Choose sheer or semi-sheer window coverings in light colors to allow more light into the room. Dark, heavy curtains will contribute to the small and claustrophobic feeling small spaces can too easily have.
Small spaces can be just as elegant as large ones, and feel a lot bigger than they are if you make smart decorating choices. Make the best use of all your square footage, and keep it light and airy for the best results.
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