April 20th, 2016 2:49 PM by Michael & Jeanne Frank, Brokers/Owners/Navy Veterans
Tips for Maximizing Small Living Spaces
Clutter driving you nuts? Did you move in with someone only to find you have duplicates of everything from headboards to can openers? Here are 7 tips to help you make the most out of small spaces:
1. Weed out the extras. A yard sale will alleviate some clutter and a trip to the local Goodwill even more. A good rule of thumb: Anything you haven’t needed in a year can go.
2. Bookcases are for more than books! Your walls are your vertical friends for storage, and good book shelving can include plants, valuables, artwork and more.
3. Wall-mount entertainment systems. Television / cable / DVD cabinets are so pre-2000! Free up floor space by going with sleek bolt-in mounts. (Just make sure they’re anchored properly!)
4. Don’t pile it, hang it! This is especially true in kitchens where you can use pot racks, hanging baskets, and even wall-mounted shelving units.
5. Maximize cabinets and closets with organizers. Poor use of cabinet space can easily waste more than 30% of usable “hidden” space. There’s great hardware out there to tune up the interior of your cabinets and closets.
6. Go below. A raised bed is a great way to free up storage space equal to the square footage of your bed. Using baskets and drawers can ensure the below-the-bed storage remains tidy as well.
7. Paint light. Dark walls make small rooms feel smaller. For those rooms that feel a little too close for comfort, dial up the brightness with a fresh coat of a light colored paint.
Remember: Organization and smart storage can turn a tiny home into a cozy abode.
Of course, if you’re ready to upgrade your home rather than squeeze the last few inches out of your existing space, get in touch! I’d be happy to help you search for a new home today: Jeanne Frank (810) 650-9332
Posted by Jeanne on Apr 11, 2013 | 0 comments
I’s probably due to my obsession with home decorating magazines that I seem to always want to do something different to at least one room in my house almost daily. I get so excited after I’ve made a change; I gain a new sense of love for my room and relish in just being in it. Unfortunately my budget doesn’t allow me the luxury of switching out the furniture on a regular basis, so I have come up with fun ways to change the look of a room without spending a dime! You would be amazed at what a little furniture rearranging can do to your space! You can totally change the entire feel of your living room by pulling your couch that’s against the wall into the room and placing a sofa table behind it. Then have fun accessorizing the table with a pretty lamp, pictures or anything else that you love. Here are some pictures that have given me inspiration, maybe you’ll find one to inspire you as well!
Here they switched the sofa from the side of the room where the two chairs are now. I love the way it showcases the windows and what amazing light!
This is an excellent example of perfect symmetry if I ever saw one!
This is a very clever way to add a work area into a small space.
Posted by Jeanne on Jan 20, 2012 | 0 comments
In colder months, do you use your ceiling fan the right way?
In the summer they can provide cooling breezes, but during winter they can also assist in circulating warm air through your home. The trick is understanding the switch on the fan which controls the direction of the fan blades:
During the SUMMER months, the standard setting of COUNTERCLOCKWISE provides cooling down drafts.
During the WINTER months, the reverse setting of CLOCKWISE creates an opposing updraft, which redistributes the warm air which rises to the top of the room. By pulling cooler air up from the ground, the warm air is more efficiently distributed throughout the home.
You may have a wall switch with controls fan direction, but most ceiling fans have a simple toggle-switch which controls the direction of the fan’s motor. These simple tips will help you keep your heating costs down over the cold winter months, as well as help you cool your home in the summer.