Below is a guest post on the subject of design ideas for a modern kitchen. In this case the word modern is perhaps a misnomer. I would characterize the ideas as creative. In today’s world we are spending more time in the kitchen area of our homes with family and friends so it is definitely a room in which you want to maximize function, and optimize the look and feel.
S Interior Design has added comments to the post below (shown in italic font).
Living Large In a Small Space
Below is a guest post on the subject on how to live comfortably in a small or smaller space. Many of you have seen the uptick in interest in micro houses. Some of you may be down sizing now that the kids have left the nest. Regardless, the article below provides good information on how to declutter and get creative with storage even if you are not in a small space or down sizing scenerio.
Living Large in a Small Space
One of the latest trends in home or apartment living these days is in downsizing space. In fact, some people are building their dream homes to be fewer than 300 square feet. You may not be dealing with these kinds of spatial constraints, but there are a few simple rules to follow if you need to make the most any small space. From storage options to decorating tips that give the illusion of openness, you can easily make a cramped room feel more spacious.
Clean up the clutter.
One of the easiest and quickest ways to open up a cramped living or work space is to declutter the area. This isn’t just a matter of cleaning up; it’s a careful editing of what’s taking up precious space. For example, if you are de-cluttering a general area such as a living room, go through items on bookshelves, coffee or end tables and start the elimination process. These are areas that tend to collect a lot of extraneous stuff. Take a good, hard look at your decorations and choose only a few statement pieces to make the most impact. If you have several picture frames or artwork on your walls, consider taking some down to open up wall space. When you’re ready for a change of scenery, you can swap out some of your decorations with things you have stored and get a whole new look.
Get creative with storage.
Anyone who has lived in a small space can tell you that efficient organization is key. Take advantage of items such as storage ottomans that do double-duty as a piece of functional furniture that can keep things like extra blankets or linens out of sight. In your kitchen, office or bedroom, use drawer separators to both organize and make the most of every bit of space. And don’t forget the backside of cabinet or closet doors. Various over-the-door organizers can store everything from shoes to extra bottles of shampoo or cleaners. You can even create a small storage area of your own by adding a sliding door in front of a small alcove or cubby. Visit your local home improvement store to pick up a pre-fab door and sliding door hardware to construct a simple DIY storage space of your own design.
Bring in the light.
Once you’ve done your de-cluttering and have your storage options in hand, you can use some simple decorating tips to give the illusion of more space. Use mirrors to take advantage of the light in a room and visually enhance your space. You can even choose an area of the wall to create a wall of mirrors, giving the appearance of an extra room. Also, consider opting out of curtains on windows. This may not be practical in a bedroom, but your living room will feel more spacious if you don’t create any visual breaks around your windows. Finally, choose paint or wallpaper colors that won’t make you feel boxed in. Lighter colors and patterns will make any space feel more open and airy than dark colors. If you’re painting your walls one color, continue that same color on the ceiling. It will make give the room a sense of higher ceilings.
Living in a small space doesn’t have to put a cramp in your lifestyle. In fact, smaller spaces often include smaller utility bills and general upkeep, leaving you with extra money for the things you love to do. With a combination of space-saving storage options and simple decorating tips, you can feel like you’re living large in even the smallest of spaces.
Minimalistic Design Style
We received this guest post that talks about minimalistic design style. Clean lines, uncluttered spaces, neutral color schemes and more can define this style of design. In today’s cluttered world of non-stop media, wouldn’t it be nice to come home to a home with a soothing minimalistic design style? Not sterile or super modern, but calm in nature, a respite from a busy life.
The Elegance And Practicality Of Minimalism
Photo credit: Flickr
For those who wish to make a statement with clean lines, interesting furniture and a clutter free environment, minimalism is the way to go. Minimalist interior design became quite popular in the 1960s, with its focus on straight lines, and geometric contrast which resulted in clean and coherent homes.
Surfaces in a minimalist interior are often light coloured, combining to create organised spaces and a sense of airiness. If there are shelves, they usually float in the air; every item having its own space. Storage is hidden and the basic principle is simplicity, inevitably leading to elegance.
Focal point. When decorating in a minimalistic manner, your aim is to create balance between the space, surfaces, and objects, making it all as functional and unobtrusive as possible. Often, there is just one thing in the room that grabs the attention: a piece of furniture, the view from the window, a work of art or just colour. The attention and skill comes in when balancing other objects with it.
Colours of minimalism. There should be a single colour on the walls; two different colours would be a tolerable maximum. The interior itself is organised in a way that no more than three shades of similar colours are present. When choosing colour for walls, white or shades of white are always the right choice for the “clean” impression minimalism aims at. The colour is added to the room with accessories. Favourite colours are accentuated through vases, picture frames, cushions and curtains. These should evoke visual interest in the space and insert the character of the person using the space. As these objects are usually small and not too distracting, their colours and designs should be bolder. Of course, the amount of accessories should be brought to a minimum so as to avoid clutter.
Photo Credit: Boutique Homes
Use of materials and texture. Sustainable and eco-friendly materials are the ones you wish to use in minimalism, as well as elements such as glass, mirrors, polished cement, architectural fabric, stone and wire. Also, minimalism wants to draw nature into the room and that is usually the one seen through the windows of the apartment or the house. Windows here are very important and are tended to be big, without curtains, blinds or shades, or anything for that matter that blocks the view. If going for a “clean” look then steel and chrome are the right choice, but do not overdo it and create a sterile space. Finishes in minimalism are supposed to be simple, while textures are rough, such as brick, concrete, wood or plaster.
Storage. Minimalism is characteristic for the maximum use of space. Everyday items are to be hidden from sight. Storage is hidden in the walls or furniture itself. Even if there are some cupboards, they are designed to have flat facades made of plastic which can sometimes simulate materials such as wood. In cases where real wood is used, surfaces are textured subtly, but keep in mind that using wood is always more expensive.
Lighting. Some say that lighting is the most important thing when effectively using space and composition in minimalist design. You will often find pendant lights, hidden lighting, or large overhang floor lamps in such homes. The option to dim the lights is a must since minimalist homes can sometimes be harsh during the night. Again, lights are used for making the focal point stand out, whether this is a specific object, angle or part of the room.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Objects and furniture. Large pieces of furniture should be avoided. The only large piece can be the sofa, if the aim is for the sofa to be the central part of the room. Anything you do not need or use should not be in the room – and that goes both for furniture and decoration. The accent is on spatial freedom, but with interest in details. The colour of the furniture should contrast with the walls or be simply white. Patterns on the textiles are also to be avoided, while fabrics should be cotton or flax in a solid colour. Similarly to other minimalistic furniture, cabinets, sofas, chairs and armchairs are of simple geometrical forms and shapes.
Minimalism has become an art of balancing the living space with the living utilities and our busy lives. Somewhere in between, elegance has found its way in trying to make it simple. It is not always easy to accomplish but it is worthwhile.
Glass Shelves- Simple and Beautiful
Below is a guest posting on the subject of glass shelves. Whether inside a lit cabinet, or used to showcase items, glass is a great option for shelving materials to consider
Glass Shelves: Simplicity + Beauty
No matter which room of your house you’re redecorating and how clutter-free you live, you will always need a place to keep your possessions. Even the strictest minimalist requires practical objects at hand on a daily basis. Closets or cabinets are functional, but their overuse can make your rooms look smaller. If you have an empty corner or wall space that you want to utilize more effectively, glass shelves may be the solution.
Let’s say you have an all-white or cream-colored bathroom with a large tub for luxurious baths. You want a clean and simple way to organize your bare necessities. Fitting a set of glass shelves in the nook next to the tub will maintain the room’s relaxed, spa-like ambiance, while keeping your toiletries, candles and towels nearby.
If you’re transforming your living room or basement into a bar, you will probably use wooden cabinetry. To create a contrast to the dark wood, install a few floating glass shelves above the sink. The shelves, as well as the glasses and bottles you display, will sparkle in the light. In this particular example, the thick, frosted shelves match the modern fixtures and feel of the bar. The great thing about glass is that you can customize it, choosing the hue, finish, and width of your shelves.
On the topic of customization, glass shelves can also be fashioned in unexpected shapes and designs. Are you an art lover looking for a unique way to show your collection? Get your sculptures and vases out of the stuffy display case and onto multi-level, zigzagged shelves. The interesting form of the shelves will guarantee that the art is the focal point of the room, starting conversation and spurring compliments from your guests.
As you can see, glass shelves are a simple, beautiful way to add practical storage space to your home. There is an abundance of shelving styles on the market, but don’t limit yourself to the options found in big-box stores. Whether you want etched or smooth, curved or straight, green-tinted or crystal clear glass, have an expert create shelves that match your taste.
About the Author: Glass and Mirror Pros in Orlando is a company with over 30 years of experience in the glass industry. Our dedicated technicians can repair or replace windows, sliding glass doors, and install glass shelves, shower enclosures, and more. We are passionate about interior design and making homes beautiful with glass products. Find us on Facebook for more information and creative ideas!
Downsizing? Small Works !
I have heard myself saying to several different new clients within the past 6 months-“Small can be great!” As one example, you can probably afford the very expensive back splash tile if you are using it in a smaller sized kitchen or bath remodel; and you need less furniture to furnish a smaller great room.
That said, there are tried and true tips that can give you a larger feeling space—mirrors, lighting, clutter control to name 3 top ones. A guest post about how to make small spaces feel larger is shown below. The author is from the U.K where overall spaces tend to be smaller than in the United States where the mantra seems to be-bigger is better.
How To Make A Small Living Space Feel Bigger
Whatever your current living situation, if your house, apartment or shared accommodation isn’t quite as palatial as you’d like it to be there are lots of different ways to adapt your space to make it feel bigger.
It is possible to transform the rooms you occupy at home with a few simple tricks of the eye, making them appear lighter, airier and much more spacious. Here are some ways to decorate and organise your home to give the impression of much more space than you might have.
Use Of Mirrors
Whether you place them above the mantelpiece, incorporate them into your wardrobe door or even prop them up against the wall, mirrors can dramatically alter your perception of a room and also help to reflect light, giving a greater sense of space. Entire mirrored walls are often used in bars and restaurants to make them seem twice the size they actually are, so why not emulate this at home?
(Image credit: Sam Agnew)
For maximum effect:
- opt for large mirrors
- position them opposite windows or doorways where light enters
- don’t be afraid to have more than one in the room- in fact, the more mirrors the brighter the room!
Pick A Light, Bright Colour Scheme
Dark colours, if on every wall, can have the undesired effect of making small rooms appear even smaller. To maximise every inch of available space, choose from a light colour palette of neutrals and pastels.
(Image credit: Mazzali)
There is no need to forgo the dark, bold colours that you love, as these can still look great and add character if used in small doses. Perhaps have a feature wall painted in your accent colour and pick soft furnishings to match.
Choose A Light Floor Colour
Choosing anything other than a light floor colour is certain to highlight the small size of a room by drawing the eye downwards to the exact dimensions of the floor space. Opting for a neutral colour which flows uninterrupted up to walls of a similar colour will open up the space and draw the eye up and out to the rest of the room.
Size Does Matter
Unlike mirrors, which can be as big as you like (in fact the bigger the better!), overly large paintings, ornaments, rugs and pieces of furniture dominate small spaces and serve to highlight the size of a small room. Opt for chairs and tables which aren’t too chunky, those with a lighter ‘footprint’ will take up less floor space.
The size of furniture and decorative items should be in keeping with the size of the room, so buy for the space you have rather than the space you’d like to have!
Hide The Clutter With Clever Storage
Cramming lots of paintings, pictures and ornaments into a small room will only serve to highlight how cramped everything looks. To maintain a calm, unfussy environment keep surfaces as clear as possible by storing all non-decorative items away.
(Image credit: PoshSurfside.com)
Built in storage will aid in de-cluttering and saving space. Think about incorporating:
- cabinets built in to alcoves
- wardrobes built along walls
- bench seating which contains drawers and storage space
Let There Be Light
Clever lighting can create the illusion of more space by making the most of every square foot available. If you don’t have large or south facing windows then create light with strategically placed lamps and mirrors. One large central light creates a clinical look which leaves corners and other nooks and crannies in shadow. Light such areas with up-lights, spotlights or lamps.
(Image credit: Doug)
Make use of other reflective materials, such as glass and metals, to increase light. Why not place lamps upon mirrored trays for maximum light reflection, for example?
Knock through to create an open plan living space
If the structure of your house is such that you occupy a series of small box rooms, the simplest way to transform it into a living space which feels much larger is to knock through adjoining walls.
(Image credit: Jeremy Levine)
An open plan living space increases space, adds light and unites the social spaces in your home. Being able to see how large your floor plan actually is and move around it with ease is one of the best ways to make a small space feel larger.
Adopting a less is more approach when it comes to decoration and aiming to maximise available light with neutral colours and reflective surfaces are the best ways to make small rooms appear larger.
About The Author
Hi there, my name is Loren, I love being creative with living spaces. I live in a small but very cosy apartment, I love my creature comforts and I don’t like clutter! I work at http://sofasofa.co.uk who sell comfy sofas, sofa beds and other bits and bobs.