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Maximize Your Bath and Home-Office Space
The tight confines of older homes are pushing homeowners to come
up with stylish designs that maximize space. The bath and home office
are two prime examples of how older homes are being stretched to
accomodate today's lifestyles. Expand your space with
these approaches recently covered by Better Homes and Gardens
Magazine.
Bath Remodel
Typical, older bathrooms offer a challenge for homeowners working
within a modest remodeling budget. Unless you're ready to knock
out walls, replace windows, or move plumbing connections around,
and endure the extra cost and inconvenience of a major remodel,
you're left with redesigning the existing space. Here are some
tips to make it work:
1 - Do as much work as possible yourself. Bring in pros to
handle the tasks you're not comfortable with, such as electrical
or plumbing installations.
2 - Keep the fixtures in their original location--toilet, sink
and bathtub. One way to open floor space is to replace the
vanity with a pedestal sink. Consider form and function
carefully before replacing the toilet. Newer toilets are more
streamlined but their smaller, water-saving tanks provide a less
powerful flush.
3 - Use design to take advantage of storage and counter space--
smaller, custom cabinets above the toilet; or curved counters,
for example.
4 - Replace the bulky, old-fashioned radiator with a smaller,
more energy efficient unit.
Home Office Storage
It can be a challenge managing your business items when the home
office has to double as a library or study. Where do the files
go during nonbusiness hours?
If you're fortunate to have a closet or storage area, you've got
a place for these items. But you don't want this space to be
obtrusive with file cabinets staring out at the family. Debbie
and Andy Charles handled the dilemma by installing a maple
bookcase that acts as a door, according to Better Homes and
Gardens. In the closed position, it joins together with the
wrap-around, wall bookcases. During business hours, it swings
open to reveal the 5 x 9 1/2 foot closet. The Charles' had to
hang the combination door/bookcase carefully with adjustable
hinges, and to make sure that the back surface was finished with
the same care as the front.
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