Who says you must live within the confines of your home’s original layout, traffic flow and usage? Increasingly, homeowners are rethinking spaces to meet evolving needs for themselves, work and a multi-faceted family life. Whether an apartment, a center hall colonial, a midcentury ranch, split level, or any form of new build, you can decide the best use of the square footage!
Here are some ideas for turning tradition upside-down for happy living.
Dining Room Revision
The years of reserving your formal dining room for “fancy” meals and holidays are past. Many households are eschewing the domain of grandma’s china and crystal for a more casual feel, refocused purpose, and a great connection to the kitchen and living spaces. And you don’t always have to move walls. Consider my clients who never used their dining room, except as a homework center and repository of day-to-day “stuff.” For them, we doubled down and turned it into a room-size pantry and kid center filled with organized cabinets and purposeful workspaces. It complements the big open kitchen but functions as a totally separate space. Likewise, other clients may opt for a totally open concept by opening up a wall to incorporate the dining room space into the kitchen. This can make room for a huge island, chef’s appliances, a large pantry and a ton of storage throughout.
No Plastic Covers on the Sofa
Remember Aunt Helen’s pristine living room with the “fancy” furnishings? The one you weren’t allowed to enter for fear of breaking something? What a waste of great space! While it’s wonderful to showcase treasured items, it’s even better to highlight them in a room that gets used. My clients are typically opting to make a living room live up to its name by using more family- and pet-friendly furniture, sticking to more casual fabrics and patterns, and adding a function beyond entertaining guests with canapes. Living rooms afford great spaces for home office nooks, TV corners, wet bars, libraries and game centers.
Bygone Bedroom
With all the options for hideaway bedding and convertible furniture, don’t hesitate to redesign an extra bedroom or guest suite around something other than hospitality. As we’ve discussed in past blogs, homeowners should have dedicated spaces for activities they are passionate about! Whether its crafts, music, writing or fitness, a refocused bedroom can create a sense of importance and joy. Even more dramatic, steal that space for a dream primary suite closet or bathroom if that fulfills your dreams!
At Susan Corvo Redesign, we are only bound by the goals and budgets of our clients. If you are stumped by your current space, call Susan for truly innovative ideas. She thinks beyond the existing blueprint and historic use to create rooms that rock, homes that hum!
