  |
Creating Space
Everybody needs their own space — and as much
of it as possible! The trick isn’t to create more space, but to
make the most out of every inch of the space you have. Here are a few
quick and crafty ways to “find” space, in every nook and
cranny of your home.
- Entryways. Create a welcoming space by the front or back door or in
the hall with a pretty and practical bench. For multi-level functionality,
park shoes underneath or add slide-out cubbies that stash easy-to-reach
essentials, like scarves and mittens in the winter and gardening tools
in the summer. You can even attach pockets on the side to hold easily
misplaced items, like keys, sunglasses and mail.
Windowsills. A sunny windowsill is a charming place to line up colored
bottles, vintage advertising tins or small pots filled with soothing
herbs that keep your kitchen smelling fresh. For extra impact, make
a ledge out of a piece of 10-12” cabinet-grade plywood; have it cut
to fit and attach it to the windowsill to play host to your own natural
still life — a bowl of green apples, a vase of fresh flowers
and artfully stacked cookbooks.
- Hallways. A long hallway is wasted space. To add stylish storage
and create a fabulous focal point, attach wood 2x4’s to the wall to
make display shelves. Paint the shelves a creamy white (or a fun color
that complements your décor) and arrange with silver, crystal,
knickknacks and a collection of photos. To make the shelves “pop,” paint
the front edge in a contrasting color or edge them with ribbon or lace.
- Corners. Unused corners are one of the best places to find space. Everybody has them and hardly anybody uses them! Triangular shelves tucked into a corner are functional, but rounded shelves give you a more polished look. They’re expensive to buy, but easy to make. Simply purchase a 24" round wood tabletop from a home improvement center and cut it into quarters to make four rounded corner shelves. Paint them white (or any color you choose) and attach to the wall with ready-made shelf brackets.
