Space-Saving Tricks for Small Kitchens

from: http://www.housebeautiful.com

Rent to Own.ph: These are simple style techiniques to lliven up a cozy kitchen. 

A well-designed kitchen has minimal clutter and maximum efficiency. Whether you're redecorating or totally remodeling, here are the best ideas for small spaces.

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Simple Ways To Organize Your Closets

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

Rent To Own.ph: Just because they are behind closed doors doesn't mean we don't need to make what are inside our closets neat and orderly. Here are simple solutions to make your bedroom closets pleasing to the eye.

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Okay, so we're a little obsessed with organizing. And we love closets. So we thought we'd channel our obsession into something helpful: a list of ways to organize your bedroom closet.

Savvy Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

from: http://www.bhg.com

Rent To Own.ph: Most of our homes have odd or small areas that we think are a waste of space. More often than not, these spaces are neglected and underutilized. Create functionality where there is none! Read these design tips from the experts.

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Double-Duty Kitchen Island

Find additional storage space without adding square footage by adding shelves to existing fixtures. In this kitchen, recessed shelves add clever storage to the kitchen island. Smaller cubbies store wine bottles and larger shelves store electronics, such as the telephone and stereo. Now the island is both a convenient workspace and a storage powerhouse.

The Space Between: A Microhome in Tokyo

From: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent To Own: Amazing and Livable!

When writer Etgar Keret built his 4-foot-wide home in Poland, we debated the practicality of living in such a tight space. He's not the only one willing to try it — Japanese firm ondesign just built their own version of a skinny home in Tokyo. The results are airier and sunnier than you might expect…

The home's interior belies its narrow footprint — elegant glass walls, wood staircases, and clever architectural details combine to create an almost delicate-looking space. Designed by Osamu Nishida and Naoko Mangyoku, the house fits into a 300-square-foot bit of land in the Bunkyo-Ku ward of Tokyo. From the street, it looks a little bit modern and a little bit like an art project. What do you think? Could this be a new way to live? Would you be willing to try it?

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Multipurpose And Convertible Furniture

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent To Own: These are clever furniture ideas that combines functionas in small homes!

When living in a small space, it's helpful to make every piece of furniture pull double duty.

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•  Resource Furniture's Goliath Table converts from a 17" deep console to and a 115" long dining table when you need it.

Make your own living succulent art

from: http://www.sunset.com

Rent To Own: How about bringing some greenery into your cozy homes? Potted plants may take up space but this wall art is not only uniquely beautiful, it is also a thriving, space saving, vertical garden!

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Plant a living picture

Instead of framing a picture, why not a whole garden? Here, cuttings of assorted succulents knit together to create colorful, textural living tapestries.

Clever Living Room Storage Ideas

from: http://www.channel4.com

Rent To Own: One can never have enough storage space. Here are some tips for maximizing your living room spaces.

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If you're really struggling for storage space, look for less obvious areas that may require some effort to convert them into useful space. Here, an understairs space has become a handy home media centre.

Tiny Homes Hit The Big City

from: http://www.cnn.com.ph

Rent to Own: See how these people validate living in small spaces. Read on:

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Downsizing from a 1,500-square-foot house to a tiny 168-square-foot dwelling in Floyd, Virginia, Hari Berzins says she loves the freedom when it comes to tiny living. "We live larger on our 3-acre hillside," she said. "We have more time to enjoy each other, tend to our large garden and cultivate a supportive community."

No Closets, No Problem!

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent To Own: Everyone wants a walk-in-wardrobe but lack of space makes this room a luxury nowadays. Still, creativity finds its way into turning a non-space into a closet area. 

So you've found your perfect apartment. The only problem is - there's no closet. Or maybe there's a tiny 2x4 closet that couldn't even begin to hold all your clothes. What to do? You could keep looking...or you could avail yourself of one of these clever solutions.

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1. Of course, you could always go old-school and get an armoire, or even a chifferobe. (What's the difference? According to dictionary.com, a chifferobe must have drawers in addition to hanging space.) 

6 Design Tricks For A Small Home

from: http://www.sunset.com

Rent To Own: If you have a small lot area, these techniques can create a feeling of space and grandeur!

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Raise the roof

When Mark Egerstrom and Brian Grosdidier bought their 600-square-foot cottage on a tiny West Hollywood lot, years of neglect had stripped away all its original 1920s charm.  “There were aluminum windows, torn-off siding … there was literally a crack pipe in the closet,” says Mark, an interior architect. “But it was an amazing location”—near the Pacific Design Center—“and a great deal.” Mark, who oversaw the two-year remodel, opened up the formerly choppy floor plan, adding glass walls, a loft room, and a roof deck “backyard” on top of it all. With its square footage doubled to a still-modest 1,200 square feet, the two-bedroom house now feels more like a hunting lodge than a cottage, thanks to the warm wood-and-neutrals palette and a few design tricks Mark had up his sleeve.

Cradle to College: Gro Cribs

from: http://www.mnn.com

Rent To Own: A crib for life! This is an ideal solution for space constraints for young families. Read on. 

Nashville-based Gro Furniture releases two ingeniously designed modern cribs that Junior — unless he reaches Kris Humphries' height by the age of 10 — will have one heck of a time outgrowing.

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Although released a few months too late for inclusion in the final post of my “The green crib” series of posts which brought you the greatest and greenest in nursery furnishings and décor, there’s a new duo of baby beds on the scene that I just can’t pass up.

Gro Furniture, a Nashville-based company founded by architects/parents David and Aimee Singelyn, recently released two transformative cribs dubbed Bam B and Pod P that continue to “grow up” and take on new uses well after Junior graduates from diapers. These heirloom-quality “cradle-to-college” pieces can be converted five different ways: a crib, a toddler bed, a toy chest, a daybed and a desk. Aside from the obvious green cred of anything-but-disposable Gro Cribs, they’re crafted in the U.S. from bamboo (Bam B) or solid birch ply (Pod P) and are treated with nontoxic, plant-based finishes. Plus, the cribs are super safe, exceeding 2011 U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements.

A 30 sq m Apartment Design

from: http://freshome.com

Rent to Own: Here is another example of efficient use of space-this time in a 30 square meter apartment.

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Maff Apartment is a “bed & breakfast” located on the third floor in the attic of a private house in The Hague. The client and owner lives in the same building. A communal staircase provides access to the apartment, which functions autonomously from the rest of the building. The limited floor space of 30m² has been equipped with the following functions: a sleeping accommodation for 2 people a dining area for up to 4 people a kitchen a toilet a bathroom with shower an installations area various storage facilities. The goal of the design was to create a living environment that would be spacious despite the small volume, providing all the comforts belonging to luxurious contemporary lodging. In addition, Maff Apartment was to have a clear and strong identity to provide a sense of uniqueness for its users. 

Modular Slot Sofa

from: http://www.homedit.com

Rent to Own: Modular furniture designs are everywhere out there. All are aimed at providing functionality in small spaces while maintaining their decorative value.

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Usually a sofa is just a sofa and nothing more. However, the creators of the Slot sofa managed to reinvent this term. They designed a piece of furniture that puts three items in one. The Slot Sofa has a compact and sleek design but it hides a secret. As its name suggests, it has a clever and modular design that allows it to blend a sofa, a coffee table and an ottoman, all in the same structure.

Small Space Solutions for Every Room (Part2)

from: http://www.bhg.com

Rent to Own: We showed you some design ideas for small rooms. Here is the continuation. There are definitely lots of ways to make a small room cozy, inviting and aesthetically pleasing

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Make Space in a Small Hallway

A little something in the entry creates a welcoming focal point for guests, but when you're squeezed for space, keep it lightweight visually by mounting a shallow shelf on the wall instead of filling the space with a more bulky table. This provides a surface for some flowers and a piece of propped art, creating a well-balanced display that doesn't eat up too much space. A slim-profile coat tree adds a bit of function.

Small Space Solutions for Every Room (Part I)

from: http://www.bhg.com

Rent to Own.ph: We cannot reiterate it enough, small is beautiful! Find out more stylish decorating tips for your small homes.

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Use Windows to Enlarge a Small Room

Windows can be a strong tool in visually enlarging a small room because your eye moves beyond the wall to the outdoor view and embraces it as part of your living space. Take advantage of this liberating effect by leaving windows bare, or dress windows with draperies that match the color of the walls to eliminate boundaries and open the space. For privacy, install simple shades or blinds that can be pulled out of the way during the day. In addition, to make windows seem taller, hang draperies just below the ceiling; to widen windows visually, extend draperies beyond the window frame.

Small Apartment, Huge Amounts of Storage

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent to Own.ph: Simple and clean lines with cleverly built-in storage walls is the secret to the appeal of this small apartment.

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Parasite Studio's appropriately named White Studio apartment is as crisp and clean as brand new linen sheets, with elements of neoplasticism's philosophy of reduction of both form and colour to the essentials. Partitions have been thoughtfully designed to open up to let in additional light into separated rooms, while other parts open to reveal a plethora of storage options, including dollops of colour inside niches that break up the monotone starkness of a predominately white interior...

Floating to Sleep: Hanging Hideaway Loft Bed Design

from: http://dornob.com

Rent to Own.ph: This is a good space saver!

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Ever since the classic fold-into-the-wall Murphy Beds came into play, designers have tried to find newer, better and more efficient ways to make the most of bedroom spaces through convertible and collapsible bed designs. The Bedup, however, might be the best such system yet.

10 Houseplants That Clean Indoor Air

from:  http://greenlivingideas.com

Rent To Own: These plants are pretty common, you might find that you already have them in your homes. If not, get a pot or two and start reycling your indoor air.

The air at home or in the office is very often saturated with pollutants we don’t even think about. Although there are many toxins depending on the floor and counter-tops covering, the insulation, the carpets and fabrics, or simply the cleaning detergents we use, the 3 main chemicals most commonly met in our homes are:

• Formaldehyde – a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers. Because of its widespread use, toxicity and volatility, exposure to formaldehyde is a significant consideration for human health. Formaldehyde is officially described by the US National Toxicology Program as “known to be a human carcinogen”. It can be found in foam insulation and pressed wood products used for the production of office furniture. It is also present in paper products such as waxed paper, paper towels, facial tissues, even grocery bags.
• Trichloroethylenes – a clear non-flammable liquid with a sweet smell mostly found in adhesives, paints, dyes, printing inks, as well as in industrial solvents and therefore used widely in the dry cleaning industry. Beyond the effects to the central nervous system, exposure to trichloroethylene has been associated with toxic effects in the liver and kidney. The symptoms are similar to those of alcohol intoxication – headache, dizziness and  unconsciousness.
• Benzene – a component of solvents, which is present in synthetic rubber, plastic, inks, paints and is used in the manufacture of detergents, pharmaceuticals, and dyes. It targets the heart, brain, lungs, kidneys and liver. Benzene is linked to cancer, anemia, leukemia, and bone marrow abnormalities. The short-term breathing of high levels of benzene may result in death while low levels can cause drowsiness, dizziness, rapid heart rate, headaches, tremors, and unconsciousness.

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, a number of green and flowering houseplants play an important role in cleaning the air we breath and can remove toxic chemicals from the air indoors.

So, prepare some pots for detoxing houseplants’ arrival!

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Dracaena Deremensis  is native to tropical Africa and is one of the most popular Draceanas used indoors, mainly because of its ability to grow in poor light conditions and its tolerance to dry soil. Perfect for neutralizing formaldehyde from the air in your home.

What if your glass dinner table was also an Airplay Audio Speaker?

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

Rent to Own.ph: One of the coolest things we have seen!

Bathroom Storage Ideas

from: http://www.bhg.com

Hoover: No matter what the size, bathrooms can always use more storage.

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Back-of-the-Door Storage

Problem: You've run out of shelf space but not out of stuff.

Solution: The backs of cabinet doors are full of unused storage space. Attach shallow caddies to the back of a cabinet to add storage for everything from hand soap to cotton balls to cleaning supplies. Label each shelf to make sure toiletries stay separate from otherbathroom supplies.

Clever Ways to Make the Most of a Small Space

from: http://www.hgtv.com/on-tv/clever-ways-to-make-the-most-of-a-small-space/pictures/index.html

Think there's no more room? See how contractor Chip Wade, host of HGTV's Elbow Room finds solutions to make everything magically fit.

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One Size Fits All

from: http://inhabitat.com

Hoover: We featured Graham Hill's transforming apartment a few weeks back. This was another concept design made for him. It makes the use of movable furniture to function as a bedroom, kitchen, dining room, living area to fit in one small space.

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New Yorkers are used to small apartments. We think keeping sweaters in our stove and having one piece of furniture function as our bed/couch/desk are totally normal ways to live. But what if your tiny apartment could host a 12-person dinner party? Or comfortably accommodate two friends for a weekend visit? A recent crowdsourced contest by LifeEdited tasked contestants to design a 420-square-foot New York apartment that would do just that. The goal of the contest was to motivate designers and the public to be more eco-minded about our living spaces and reduce our carbon footprints.

Small Cool Apartments

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Hoover: This apartment is only 41.8 sq meters big and yet it is beautifully done. It was entered in the Small Cool Apartment Contest of Apartment Therapy for the year 2010.

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Who Lives Here: Chris

Location: Houston, Texas

Size: 450 square feet

Innovative Sleep System With Sony Bravia Theater By Hollandia

from: http://thedesignhome.com

Hoover: If you had this bed, I doubt you'd get up and leave the bedroom!

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Designed by Hollandia International, this modern sleep system is entertainment oriented. The most indulgent and luxurious advanced sleep system includes a state-of-the-art Sony Bravia® Theater System that contains a Retractable 32” Flat Panel HDTV, a DVD/CD Changer, Five Speaker Surround Sound System, Subwoofer and i-Pod Docking Station. The 32” Sony flat screen TV that sits 80” from the headboard, exceeding the normal 1:3 ratio of screen size to view distance. 

Mobile Dwelling

from:  http://www.littlediggs.com

Hoover: More on relocatable container homes. 

MDU is a 40ft shipping container that has been modified into a relocatable dwelling. The container accommodates several modules for various functions such as cooking, washing and sleeping. These modules sit within the container so that during transportation the MDU largely resembles any other container sitting on a ship or a dock.Once the MDU has been delivered to a site, the modules slide out of the container like extrusions and create an inner hallway in the newly created void inside the container.

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Laundry in the Kitchen

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com and http://www.thekitchn.com

Hoover: While travelling across Europe, some of the places we stayed in had their laundry facilities integrated in their kitchens. This is an ideal solution for small spaces such as apartments and condominiums. Read on:

In European homes it's fairly common to find laundry facilities integrated in the kitchen, and yet here in the States the combination is rare. But laundry in the kitchen is a workable and sometimes necessary small-space solution for those who lack the space for a separate laundry room. What are some practical ways to make it work?

We've compiled some of our favorite tips here:

• Consider the top of the washer or dryer as extra counter space. You can install a butcher block or other surface over the top of the machine to make it work.

• Enclose your washer and dryer in a kitchen closet or behind a curtain to disguise them when they're not in use. Alternately, you can try under-counter units that don't look out of place with the rest of your appliances.

• Keep dirty laundry out of the kitchen until it's ready to go into the machine. (This is a no-brainer, really, but it does seem important to acknowledge that certain laundry tasks, like storing and sorting dirty laundry, should be done elsewhere in the home if possible.)

• To minimize the risk of soiling clean clothes with food, designate another space outside the kitchen for folding as well.

• Try doing small loads more frequently in order to avoid overtaking your kitchen completely on "laundry day."

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Transforming Spaces for 420 sq feet

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Hoover: Watch how creativity and smart use of space transforms this small apartment into a living abode that feels like it is more than 2x its original area. 

Graham Hill's new apartment was designed via a competition through his companyLifeEdited. A couple of goals were to be able to seat 12 people for dinner, and have space for guests to sleep and work. While the actual apartment is 420 square feet, Hill states that it provides the equivalent functional spaces of a 1100 square foot home. It has all kinds of great space saving features that will work in other people's homes — here are a few highlights:

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Compact Simply Blue Kitchen

from: http://www.kitchendelux.com

Hoover: More on compact, space saving kitchen for your home. This kitchen is designed by Pietro Arosio.

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This Compact simply blue Kitchen Design designed by Pietro Arosio, Snaidero. You can simply built-into any space to get contemporary kitchen. Created by architect Pietro Arosio, this compact kitchen have many function. blue color mix with white color exterior give a clean design. As easy as the look may seem, it required some realcreative effort to understand – they wound up having a sleek, simple means to fix a potentially complex problem. Your kitchen sits along one wall, with just one sticking out module which supports the stove, work top and sink. 

Floor Plan Light Switch

from: http://www.yankodesign.com

Hoover: This saves you the hassle of opening all the lights trying to remember which is the one you need at the moment.

When you have a panel full of light switches, it can be challenging to remember which is which. The Floor Plan Light switch offers an easy solve. The switches are modified according to the floor plan of the room and operate accordingly. So in a single glance you know which switch controls what.

Designer: Taewon Hwang

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Amazing Color Hidden Kitchen for Small Spaces

from: http://www.homedit.com


When space is a problem, the imagination must take us to find solutions that can make up for the lost space. The combination of orange and red from this amazing hidden kitchen it’s a great addition for young families that are just starting up. The gloss finish laminated red and orange, and glass hob, easy to clean while providing a fresh and cheerful kitchen.

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Small apartments usually have very small kitchens and bathrooms. So it’s not easy to furnish a small kitchen and to make it look good while also including there everything that you need, like the microwave oven, the toaster and all the other gadgets that people usually have in their kitchen. It’s a difficult process when you’re trying to squeeze everything in there and sometimes you don’t even manage to do so and you give up. But it’s no longer necessary because that problem can be easily solved. All y have t is choose the right furniture for the kitchen. 

Stylish and space saving sofa bunk bed

from: http://www.aroundtheinterwebs.com/

This is one of the coolest bunk beds we’ve seen. The entire bed can collapse to form a stylish sofa. The mattresses are kept in place with custom tie downs and there’s a build in ladder to reach the top bed. The bed can be converted to a sofa and back within minutes.

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Lofty Aspirations

from:http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Hoover: We featured lofts before but these are new ideas to turn your small aprtments into snug, homey lofts.

In small spaces — and even in large spaces — nothing does double duty in vertical space like the loft bed! Whether it's maximizing storage space, making the best of a crazy floor plan, or just because it looks cool, building your bed in the air is the way to go. We've found fifteen inspiring beds that involve just a bit of climbing before you crash — come look!

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1. A slender rail sets apart this spare twin, tucked above a reading alcove, from http://daily.geek-living.com