It made me so happy! I was ecstatic to find a new way to fold my socks and shirts and create
When it has integrated storage! How much stuff is under your bed? True confessions are that mine doesn’t have an inch of space left under there! That is why we love a lift storage bed – these add an amazing amount of storage and function. The reason a lift storage bed is usually the best option for small spaces is that it goes up and not out like drawers. Storage beds with drawers when opened require space around the bed, often in small spaces this isn’t possible. Well designed lift storage beds allow some toe space under them. If you have ever smashed your toes on the bed you will know what we mean. There are wood and upholstered options so lots of creative possibilities.
Bedside tables also have potential for storage. The key is get the height right – you don’t want to reach up from your mattress to your bedside table top. These can be freestanding or wall mounted – we think the surfaces should be durable or at least have a tray for protecting the top from a hot coffee mug – because a cozy coffee or tea in bed is the best!
Anyone who remembers digging in the back of a closet or under the bed for those heavy wood “leafs”? Then you will appreciate a self storing dining table. There are wood and glass top options of expandable dining tables. Both styles have “leaf” storage integrated into the table itself. This smart table reserves your precious storage spaces like the closet and under the bed for better things.
Whenever possible we choose dining chairs that can also be used as a task chair and living area seating. Chairs designed with accommodating or soft seats and backs with handsome upholstery transition from purpose to purpose and room to room seamlessly, and they don’t have to be huge to be comfortable. Chairs with low backs keep them from taking up visual space.
The two most common things people do when downsizing:1. Decide to completely change their style and go in an entirely opposite aesthetic direction for their new home.
2. Decide to keep furniture because it “cost a lot of money” rather than will it actually physically fit in the new space.
Unfortunately the reality is that what you paid for something won’t make it fit or be of value to you in your new home. If you can’t move freely in the space because of your expensive dining table then it isn’t serving you.
As for style change, the most common decision is to go “modern” like show suites or magazines. Modern is often confused with hard and uncomfortable. Remember you don’t change because you move, your desire for comfort while reading or watching TV doesn’t change so sitting on a hard white leather sofa, no matter how good looking it is will not allow you to live in the way that works for you.
– Decide what you love and can’t imagine living without.
– Measure it – photograph it
– Do a floor plan of your new place and see if it will fit
– If it doesn’t let it go.
Downsizing or moving to a smaller place can be incredibly challenging. It might be exciting and it might be just what you want, but for most people it is not a comfortable experience. It means letting go of things that have deep meaning and history, things that connect you to your past and the people and memories that are uniquely yours. And yes they may have been expensive. The most important thing in this process is to honour the past and acknowledge it, and most importantly remind yourself they are just “things”. Then roll up your sleeves and start giving stuff away – unless you are a great wheeler dealer I don’t suggest selling things to strangers. If it is fine art or valuable antiques consign them because strangers haggling over your personal things is a really unpleasant experience. I say give it away and allow your history and the energy of the item to carry on. Start with family and friends and then call a charity who will come and get it! Your gift can make a huge difference to someone else. Let your stuff and you go in a new direction and enjoy the process and the freshness of a new start. Good Space can help so head over to our Get a Quote page and see what might work for you.
