Elegant and Creative Ways to Maximize Space Under Your Stairs

from: http://freshome.com/

Rent To Own.ph: We already featured solutions for maximizing the space under the stairs. Here are more ideas.

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We’ve seen a lot of indoor arrangements where the space under the stairs is completely neglected. This usually happens because the owners fear not to overcrowd the living room or hallway. In this post we would like to present some creative and elegant ways on how to effectively use the space under your stairs without “damaging” your home’s appearance. In fact, we think the ideas below will help improve the overall design of the rooms where they are put to practice. If you are living in a small crib and feel the need for more space, you might consider improvising a bookcase, a home office or an entertaining area. We particularly like the cozy extendable bed in the first photo, which could turn out to be a good solution when receiving guests. An aquarium or fireplace are two other original methods of making the most out of the area beneath the stairs.

Small Dwellings in Phoenix Get Creative With Under 50 Sq. M.

from: http://www.dwell.com/

Rent to Own.ph: Small spaces force us to simplify. But these apartments are not just simple, they are chic!

A few years ago, Benjamin Hall found himself living in a 250-square-foot studio in Copenhagen—an experience that revolutionized the way he thought about space. “It taught me how to live cleaner, more organized, and to depend on a community,” he says. He drew on those lessons last year when he designed White Stone Studios, an experimental luxury complex with six units that each measure just 468 square feet.

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The apartments are located in an up-and-coming stretch of downtown Phoenix, where many young professionals have recently flocked. “They’re perfect for individuals who appreciate finely crafted spaces and honed design sensibilities, but might not be at a place in their life to buy or commission their dream project yet,” Hall says. 

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Concrete blocks form an all-in-one exterior and interior wall that eliminates the cost of paint and drywall. They contain a white admixture that helps bounce heat off the outside of the building while brightening the inside. The blocks are also filled with spray foam for insulation. 

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Hall left the concrete foundation bare—a cost-effective and durable choice for flooring. Textured wooden doors offset its coldness. “Oak has a forgiving, aging quality and warmth,” he explains. The apartment comes stocked with an Ikea rug, a Hans Wegner shell chair, and barstools from Overstock. 

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“The biggest thing when you’re designing a small space is to constantly ask yourself, ‘How would I live here?’” Hall says. He found that functional storage was essential. The kitchen island not only serves as a bar, but it also doubles as a workspace during the day. Small slots hide computer cables, and a center storage tray acts as a catchall. The fixtures and cabinets are from Ikea, and the pendant lights are by Bocci. 

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An open plan helps the apartment feel larger. Translucent curtains that act as room dividers, allowing a measure of privacy while still letting light pass through. They also hide the double-stacked Maytag washer and dryer from view.

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Hall paid special attention to details like custom light switches and door latches, since they tend to stand out more in small spaces. 

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In the bathroom, glazing around the American Standard tub lets in light, though outer walls are positioned safely around it for complete privacy. “You literally feel like you are showering outdoors,” Hall says. “It’s really a serene experience.” The faucets are by Moen, and the sink and medicine cabinet are by Ikea. 

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Sheltered from the harsh Arizona sun, a north patio serves several important functions. It extends the apartment’s footprint, encourages airflow, and provides a private corner for residents to relax away from the city buzz. “Physical connection to the outdoors is paramount in a small space. It’s physically and mentally healthier,” Hall says.

Design solutions for 11 tricky spaces

from: http://www.foxnews.com/

Rent to Own.ph: Most of our homes have that odd space. We don't quite know how to make the most of it. These examples of tricky space designs show us how to make that space more functional.

From long and narrow "railroad car" apartments to teensy studios and rooms that seem to be all doors and windows, every home has its own design challenges. If you've hit a roadblock (where in the world can I put that sofa?) or just feel there must be a better way of arranging your space, read on -- we're covering solutions for 11 of the most common space-planning dilemmas.

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Tall Man's Tiny House

from: http://www.idesignarch.com/ and http://tinyhouseblog.com/

Rent to Own.ph: Swoon! What a beautiful tiny home!

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This modern tiny house was built to accommodate tall people. The tiny home is 21′ long with a 6′ 8″ ceiling at the entry. The rest of the house is 8′ 6″ wide and 13′ 3″ high with 130 sq. ft. of space plus a sleeping loft. The interior has stained pine flooring and maple plywood ceiling, and the exterior is mostly rain-screen siding. Like a regular camper, the house has plumbing with water hook-up underneath. The house is furnished with IKEA furniture, and the kitchen cabinets and countertops made from maple plywood and sealed with linseed oil.

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Inside, the ceiling is 12 in. maple plywood with a narrow reveal. Walls throughout the house are painted hardboard. Corrugated galvanized steel surrounds the shower, toilet, and closet in the bathroom. Five-inch-wide pine tongue-and-grove covers the floor, stained and sealed with Danish oil. The cabinets and countertops are custom-made from ¾ in. maple plywood. The cabinets and ceiling are sealed with linseed oil and the counter has a clear gloss epoxy coating.

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The loft, covered in the same pine flooring, is large enough to fit a low-profile queen mattress or pad. A small open storage area is accessible from the kitchen, with additional closet space in the bathroom.

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The living room has a ceiling fan for circulation and the windows provide excellent cross-ventilation as well as ample solar heat on a cold sunny day. A window air conditioner could also be easily added in the summer months.

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The house comes furnished with an IKEA sleeper loveseat and IKEA banana leaf rocking chair. The refrigerator is an Igloo two-door fridge and freezer. The kitchen’s propane stove is upcycled from the original camper. The entryway prides itself in its custom-built pine storage cubby and two IKEA chairs, able to be pulled up to the multi-purpose counter. All furniture is included in the price and decorative items may be purchased at an additional charge.

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Make the Most of Small Spaces

from: http://www.realsimple.com/

Rent to Own.ph: We always find new advice on decorating small spaces. We feature a lot of them here so that you may find the techniques that work best for you.

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Mid-century Grain Silo Transformed Into A Home For Two

from: http://inhabitat.com/

Rent to Own.ph: We've posted about camper vans, tree houses, shipping containers being transformed and small spaces, tight areas, narrow buildings made into livable dwellings. Now we see grain silos made into a home. What a cool idea!

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Living in an old 1950s grain silo probably isn’t what comes to mind when you think of home sweet home, but take a look inside this stunning renovated silo-turned-home and you may start singing to a different tune. Architect Christoph Kaiser combined two of Inhabitat’s favorite topics—tiny houses and adaptive reuse—and transformed a dismantled grain silo into an affordable and cozy home built for him and his wife. Located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona, this quirky and modern 340-square-foot dwelling boasts a small carbon footprint that has also had positive urban renewal benefits for the up-and-coming Garfield Historic District.

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The corrugated steel shell was painted white to reflect the heat of the desert sun and to evoke the character of historic American rural architecture.

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A spiral staircase leads up to a cozy loft bedroom that’s bathed in natural light from an operable skylight located at the top of the silo.

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Rather than create a standard square living space, Kaiser challenged himself to design a curved wood-and-black-steel interior that conformed to the silo’s circular form.

Kaiser also added ten inches of spray foam insulation between the silo walls and house interior.

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The building has a footprint of just 190 square feet.

Major modifications were made during the reassembly process for the silo, such as the addition of custom-made doors and windows.

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The young architect kept costs low by using $350 worth of scrap walnut plank flooring purchased from Craigslist as the main interior wood material.

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The fenced-in outdoor space includes lounge chairs and raised planter beds for vegetable gardens.

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Kaiser added a custom-made, 9-foot-wide sliding door that opens up to an outdoor garden.

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Kaiser lives in the house with his wife.

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Section view of the silo home.

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Plan view of the silo home.

Strikingly Clever Layout Making the Most of a 21sqm Swedish Crib

from: http://freshome.com/

Rent To Own.ph: Minimizing clutter makes a lot of difference. This 21 sq. m. apartment is not only refreshing but it looks spacious as well.

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Provided that the inhabitant is not “burdened” with lots of household belongings, this small, 21 square-meter apartment is just perfect. It is incredible how the designers managed to turn such a small space into an airy and comfortable crib. A wonderful example of Swedish design, the project found on Skeppsholmen is characterized by tastefulness and originality. As you enter, a small hallway divides the bathroom in two functional small interiors. The only room is flooded in natural light from three spectacular windows and features a lovely table for two, an expandable sofa and an extra bed (which means three people can comfortably sleep here!). There is even space for a small cooking area, with storage for tableware and whatnot. No compromises have been made; everything looks great, from the lovely black and white wallpaper to the colorful tiles above the tiny counter-top. 

Elegant and Classy 30 sq. m. NYC Apartment

from: https://www.youtube.com/

Small-Space Garden Ideas

from: http://www.marthastewart.com/

Rent to Own.ph: In line with the garden theme from last week, we are now featuring DIY home gardens that are easy, functional and pleasing to the eye. 

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Window Boxes

Feeling left behind by the grow-your-own-food revolution because you live in a gardenless apartment or have a postage-stamp yard? Take heart: Anyone with a sunny windowsill, patio, or balcony can cultivate edibles. In fact, choosing plants that are nourishing, delicious, and beautiful is the ultimate way to maximize limited space, whether you're working with one little window box or several large containers.

When space is limited but enthusiasm isn't, think containers. These window boxes, just two feet long each, are big enough to grow all sorts of herbs, including oregano, basil, chives, and rosemary.