Downsizing Help: Shelve Your Storage Woes
Take a look at your new, smaller rooms. Is there wall space that can be put to good use? Shelving — whether for books or collectibles, or to hold necessities like bathroom and office supplies — can make the difference between ongoing frustration or complete satisfaction with your small home.
The first time Mike and I saw what would become our little bungalow, it was a design disaster. A huge, awful sectional dominated the living room, and a console TV the size of a small barn took up what remained of the room.
I could go on and on about its flaws, but bottom line: We fell in love. It wasn’t just the old-California feel and the beamed ceilings; it was that fabulous built-in bookcase. “Aha!” we thought. “There is actually someplace to display our goodies and get some storage.”
A floating wall system like this one provides low-impact but highly effective display space, while the hanging drawers contribute needed storage. (And since they float off the floor, the room looks larger.) Depending on the size and weight of your TV, you might be able to mount it on shelving like this, so it doesn’t eat up any space in your small room.
I am always drawn to the idea of building shelving around and over the sofa. In a small room, it creates practical storage and display space. And it is possible to build it in a manner that effectively eliminates the need for side tables. Leaving enough room over the sofa for artwork also guarantees that nobody will bang a head on the shelves.
You can paint the shelves a contrasting color, as was done here, to give them emphasis. Or choose a tone similar to your wall color if you want them to recede.
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The first time Mike and I saw what would become our little bungalow, it was a design disaster. A huge, awful sectional dominated the living room, and a console TV the size of a small barn took up what remained of the room.
I could go on and on about its flaws, but bottom line: We fell in love. It wasn’t just the old-California feel and the beamed ceilings; it was that fabulous built-in bookcase. “Aha!” we thought. “There is actually someplace to display our goodies and get some storage.”
A floating wall system like this one provides low-impact but highly effective display space, while the hanging drawers contribute needed storage. (And since they float off the floor, the room looks larger.) Depending on the size and weight of your TV, you might be able to mount it on shelving like this, so it doesn’t eat up any space in your small room.
I am always drawn to the idea of building shelving around and over the sofa. In a small room, it creates practical storage and display space. And it is possible to build it in a manner that effectively eliminates the need for side tables. Leaving enough room over the sofa for artwork also guarantees that nobody will bang a head on the shelves.
You can paint the shelves a contrasting color, as was done here, to give them emphasis. Or choose a tone similar to your wall color if you want them to recede.
More about Downsizing Help: Shelve Your Storage Woes
