Wednesday 5 May 2010

Bedroom Space Planning

The dramatic rise in house prices over the last ten years means that living space is at a premium, particularly in urban areas. Many of us live in shared apartments, lofts, student rooms or studio flats in which the bedroom also functions as a living and working area. Children are frequently forced to share a room with siblings. And with more people working from home, sometimes the bedroom has to double as an office.

Yet as our space shrinks, the number of personal possessions we acquire seems to multiply. So where do you keep your computer, printer, stereo, PlayStation, musical instruments, exercise bike and spare bedding without your room becoming a junkyard?

Naturally the item of furniture that takes up most space in the bedroom is your bed, especially if you crave the luxury of a king-sized double. The benefit of a large bed, however, is that the space underneath it can be exploited for storage -but that doesn't mean just shoving everything under the bed and allowing it to gather dust!

Nowadays you can choose from a range of drawers, chests and storage boxes on wheels, all designed to make the most of this under-used space while keeping your possessions tidy and easy to find.

Choosing a bed to maximise your living space

If lack of floor space rather than storage room is your problem, there are many space-saving alternatives to the traditional bed.Futons are a Japanese invention, which originally consisted of a cotton mattress placed over straw flooring and folded away during the day. Western futons are loosely based on the Japanese design, but have a configurable frame which folds in the middle to double as a bed and a sofa. A futon set consists of a sofa and several chairs that can be unfolded into beds - ideal if you have guests to stay.

Kitchen Room Space Planning

Work space, it is essential in the cooking process because if you run out of room to do your thing, then it ends up throwing the whole process off not to mention getting you frustrated. So, if your kitchen seems to be a bit on the small side from time to time, turn to fabulous stainless steel kitchen carts to add some more cooking space.

Stainless steel kitchen carts are extremely practical and provide that extra work space that you have always been looking for. Generally, one will feature a very large counter top that is perfect for slicing, dicing, chopping, mixing, and doing whatever else that you might need to do in the kitchen. Some will even come with drop down leafs to give you even more space to work on. Another practical feature about this furnishing is that it is easily moved from place to place because it has wills and it also will provide you with a lot of extra storage space since they come with shelves and cabinets where you can stow away anything that you want including pots and pans, cook books, and even canned goods if you want. Some other additional features that one could have include towel racks, spice caddies, knife and utensil racks, wine racks, and you can even get ones with drawers.

Now, practicality is not the only reason why stainless steel kitchen carts are such a nice furniture option because they are also a nice way to add a decorative element to your space. How so? Well, it is because they are crafted from beautiful stainless steel and can be finished off in a number of different ways, like brushed or polished, that are all very pleasing to the eye. This steel is then paired up with different stunning materials, like granite or wood, to create eye-catching pieces of furniture that are sure to please. Like, you can get one that has the stainless steel base with a wood or granite countertop.

Study Room Space Planning

There are many wonderful things about starting college life. For many young adults, college brings far more freedom than they ever had living at home with their parents. They have the option to sleep in as late as they like, go out as much as they want, go to bed as late as they choose, eat whatever they want, and sit down at their desks and study when they feel like it. College usually means new clubs, new extracurricular activities, new sports teams, and lots of new friends. Students who move away for school have a new city or town to explore, with all of its parks, restaurants, and hang-outs. Many students find their new college classes to be far more interesting and challenging than those they took in high school. In short, college is often a very exciting time for young adults.

One drawback of moving away from home for many college freshmen, however, is their new living space. Dorm rooms on many college campuses in this country are not known for being spacious or comfortable, and they often include little more than two beds and two desks. Many college-bound teenagers fear they will find themselves in a cramped, smelly, room with a tiny window and disagreeable roommate. Although much of a college student’s fate in this regard must be left up to the dormitory gods (and most likely the university’s housing committee), there are several things that you can do to make more space in a crowded dorm room.

Many dorm beds are designed so that they can be arranged either as bunk beds or separate twin beds. Bunking beds is one easy way to save space. Another option is actually raising the beds above dressers or desks. This way, you save the floor space of both beds instead of just one. If this is not possible with the type of beds in your room, you can still lift the beds as high as they will go in order to store clothing, mini-refrigerators, microwaves, bicycles, and other dorm room articles underneath.

Dining Room Space Planning

Whether you eat at your dining room table, your kitchen table or a bar you need to be able to find it to eat there. Is your space having an identity crisis? Is it a collector of things? Things like the mail, receipts, school work, newspapers, magazines, telephone messages, work papers, scrapbooking supplies, groceries, keys, coats, jackets, collections, scarves, gloves, groceries and the list goes on and on. No wonder these areas have an identity crisis.

Okay so you want to reclaim your eating space, here are some solutions to finding your table again and keeping it clutter free.

Make a goal---what do you want this space to do for you?

• If you want a table that stays clear of 'stuff' like mentioned above one idea is to keep it set with a nice table cloth and place settings of dishes and silverware so it is not as likely to be dumped on.

• Do you want this area to be one where family members or even unexpected drop-in guests can gather for a chat?

• Would you like a place for all the family to be able to eat meals together without the hassle every day of clearing a space, thereby cluttering up another place in the kitchen or dining room?

Bathroom Space Planning

If you're building or remodeling your home, the bathroom is one space you can't afford to overlook. Considering how much time you spend in this room, you definitely want it to be comfortable, functional and good looking. The bathroom is more than a space for three necessary fixtures; it's the place where you can relax after a long day, change your clothes, mend your wounds, apply your makeup, comb your hair, and take care of a multitude of other grooming and hygiene needs. It's probably the first room you visit in the morning and the last room you visit at night.

After a few years of watching some TV program, you probably are fired up to remodel your own bathroom. Before you strap on the tool belt, be sure you are legally entitled to do any DIY renovation changes in your bathroom. If you rent, you are not legally allowed to do any home renovation. That’s the prerogative of your landlord. You can talk to the landlord about minor changes you can make, such as a new paint job or installing new towel racks. But if you own your bathroom, you can think about a bathroom layout & space planning.

In your bathroom layout & space planning concepts, forget about doing any electrical or plumbing jobs yourself. Leave that to a licensed professional. That professional will also be aware of the local building codes to make sure your bathroom is not only legal, but safe. But if you are planning any major bathroom layout & space planning, such as knocking a wall down to add a windmill you better check with your local zoning board to see if you are allowed to do so, or if you need a building permit.

Interior Space Planning

When it comes to our homes, most people spend the majority of their time indoors. Because we spend so much time inside, this tends to be where we spend the most money decorating, cleaning, and maintaining our homes. The exterior living space of our homes is often times underutilized, if not completely overlooked. Most homes have some type of outdoor space that can be used for rest, relaxation, or recreation. This space can vary in size from something as small as a balcony in an apartment, to acres of land around a rural home. Whatever the size, exterior living spaces can be a great extension of our homes, especially with proper planning.

When designing an outdoor living space, you must first ask yourself what you want to accomplish with the space. What needs must it fill? What purpose will it serve? If you are designing a deck or patio, for example, the size of the space should be determined based on how you'll use it. Will you be purchasing outdoor furniture such as a weatherproof couch, loveseat, and chairs? Or will it simply be a dining area with a table and chairs? Some families want to have both sitting and eating areas in their outdoor living space, which obviously requires more room.

Once you know how you want to use the area the next thing to consider is how often you'll use the space. If it will only be utilized in the summer, an area out in the open may be fine. If you wish to use it in the spring and fall, you might want to select a location that is sheltered from the sometimes chilly spring and fall winds. For areas with mild winters, a four season room might be a good option. Four season rooms often have windows with removable panels so they become a screened in porch in the summer and an enclosed room in the winter.

Girl Room Space Planning

Regardless of where you live, your dog must always have its own private domain where it can feel at home. Find a quiet place for the dog to sleep. The location should be convenient for you and suitable for your pet. Make sure your dog feels comfortable there, and do not change the location afterwards.


An uncarpeted room, not too cold, with a floor that is easy to wash, is a good choice. A puppy must be well protected from draughts. Beware of cold air seeping in around doors and windows. A dog will automatically settle with its back against a wall, so arrange your pets spot next to a wall or in a corner but not too close to a radiator or heating vent because the dogs coat will dry out and become brittle.

The dogs place should be away from heavily traveled areas because the animal will probably need a lot of sleep, initially. But the dog should also be able to observe everyone’s comings and goings so it can start taking part in family life. Your pet can probably sleep comfortably in a crate lined with cushions, a towel or shredded newspaper. Large dogs generally just sleep on a blanket.

If your dog will weigh less than 30 pounds when fully grown, you can use a wicker basket lined with a soft, easily washable cushion. The main concern is to see that the animal is well insulated from the floor. Air the dogs bedding every day and clean it once a week. In summer, if your dog gets fleas or tics, treat the bedding with flea and tick powder or replace it completely.