Monthly Archives: June 2010

29 June, 2010
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Small Living Spaces

There are many advantages and disadvantages to living in a small apartment, dorm room, or even a small house. Learning how to manage the space that you have can give you the tools to be happy no matter where you live. These lessons often come through trial and error. However, by using the ideas and revelations of the ones who have successfully lived in places as small as yours, you can reap the benefits of the lesson without having to learn the hard way.

1) Your attitude matters more than you think. If you’re totally stressed and sad that you have to live in a place so small, then you won’t get much done for a while. A negative attitude can cloud your judgment and keep you from using your creativity to make the space work. You need to adopt a minimalist attitude. You don’t need a million possessions to be happy. Possessions don’t make you who you are. Society dictates that we consume more and more each day. However, you have the power to rise above and live your life more efficiently.

2) Now that you’ve adopted your “can do” attitude, it’s time to get to work. You are probably surrounded by boxes and furniture. Go through and categorize everything. Rate your belongings on a scale of 1-10. If you really need it to live and eat, rate it as number one. These things will be the highest priority. Scale everything down to ten. Now, decide how much room you have by putting away everything rated as number one, then two, three, and so forth. When you run out of room, everything else should go.

3) Be picky about what you keep. You don’t want piles of junk all around you or you’ll always feel cramped and stressed. Try to get a few functional pieces of furniture that have storage inside. Install shelving above your doors, in the corners, and under the windows. Invest a little in closet organizers and a pantry organizer. Put large drawers under your bed and couch. Create storage wherever you can if you need to store more than your small living space will allow.

4) Bulky furniture is often unnecessary. You can make room for a large capacity armoire by getting rid of a dresser. Dressers are very inefficient. Clothes are stacked inside where you can’t see them or get them out without unfolding half of the stack. We end up hiding miscellaneous items in the drawers and soon they become crowded with junk. Using an armoire for blankets and other bulky household items saves you closet space. With some space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, some baskets, shelves, and storage bins, you can put every piece of clothing you own inside of the closet. When you store something, ask yourself if this is the most efficient way to store before you decide that the item is in its permanent spot.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

23 June, 2010
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How to Survive a Small Closet

Living with a small closet isn’t always easy, but there are some things that you can do to make it better. Use these tips to create the closet that works best for you, your budget, and your style.

1) If money is an issue, consider selling some of your extra clothing, purses and shoes. Recycling gently used items saves space and helps out someone in need. You can have a garage sale, visit a consignment shop, or donate items to charity for the tax deduction. Another option is to try auction sites or local sales sites to make a few dollars. You don’t have to spend hours listing each item. Simply list “bag of women’s clothing size 12” or whatever you think will get some attention on the site that you choose. Include pictures in your listing and you’re sure to bring in a few bucks for your stash.

2) There may seem like there isn’t much room to incorporate your personal style into your closet, but that’s not necessarily true. You can coordinate colors with containers, canvas hanging shelves, your laundry basket, shoe rack, hat rack, and clothes hangers. You can personalize these items with a little bit of paint. You may like turquoise paint with white dots, black and white stripes, or just about anything that makes the closet space unique and inviting.

3) Use the closet door for hanging things like hats, ties and belts. You can mount baskets for smaller items like socks, mittens and containers for jewelry. If you’re in a small dorm or efficiency apartment, you may also want to use the inside of the door for school books, phone chargers, camera equipment, movies, or video game storage. You can find a lot of space on the door that you didn’t know you had. Consider a pantry door organizer with adjustable shelves and baskets to make the best use of this space.

4) You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a small closet organized. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to maximize the space on your hanging bar. These hangers fit flat together and save more space than you would think. They’re not flimsy like wire hangers and the velvet surface keeps clothes from slipping. You can get removable clips for hanging skirts, pants and shorts. Use cascading hooks to coordinate outfits and double the space. These hangers also come in a wide variety of colors and prints to accentuate the style and personality of your closet.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

9 June, 2010
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Space Saving Furniture

If you live in a small apartment, dorm room, or have a small room that is too cluttered, then you may be interested in purchasing some space saving furniture. There has been much advancement in the furniture industry that accommodates today’s lifestyles and living arrangements. You don’t necessarily have to settle for a tiny couch and chair to save room in a small space. Use these tips to help you decide which types of furniture can help you to create space and storage in a small area.

1) Furniture, like couches, that wrap around corners can take up less space than separate chairs and couches. The “L-shaped” couch is a really popular way to save space without reducing seating. These types of couches can also help you divide efficiency rooms into separate areas. For example, if your living room, dining room, and kitchen are actually one big space, then an L-shaped couch can divide the areas so that they don’t seem to run into each other.

2) Furniture that has storage is very useful in saving space. When you live in a small area, you don’t necessarily have the storage space that you need. Couches and chairs now come with arms that open up to provide storage for magazines, remote controls, cup holders, and more. A hide-away bed built into the couch is also a great way to accommodate guests when you don’t have a guest room. Some ottomans open up to reveal storage areas for bulkier items, such as throw pillows and blankets. You can get couches and chairs that have hidden drawers underneath for storing everything from toys, to shoes, to valuables. Many coffee tables now have a top that opens up to double as a laptop desk or eating area.

3) Use the space underneath your furniture to hide useful items such as folding end tables or extra folding chairs. If your couch or chair has a skirt or slip cover, you may be able to put it on risers and make even more space underneath without anyone ever noticing that you adjusted it.

4) Choose furniture that can perform double duties. You may find that a table whose top folds down makes for a great entryway table. It can also be pulled out and opened up when you have dinner guests over. Stackable stools can be used as shelving, extra seats, end tables, and more. The more items that you can find like this, the more versatile your space will be.

5) You can give yourself extra storage by adjusting your clothes closet as well. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, can double or triple the space in your closet. You can install shelving in the extra space to hide away more things that need to be stored in your small living space.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.