Many people today, whether through choice or forced necessity, are opting for smaller living spaces. Some people want to live a minimalist lifestyle, and for others, it’s a new economic necessity. Whatever the reason, many families are now having to adapt to living spaces with less total square footage. But it can be done. Here are 6 tips for making a small space work for you and your family in Ventura County.
1. Declutter . . . Ruthlessly
The first step toward making a small space work for you and your family in Ventura County is to get rid of stuff. When you have less space, you have to have fewer possessions. But it doesn’t have to be as painful as it sounds.
Begin your decluttering by getting rid of all the broken items and all the things you never use (and we all have plenty of these). Donate old and ill-fitting clothes, and get rid of those useless things that have only tenuous sentimental value. You simply have to be ruthless here. For example, that manual can opener actually works better than the electric one, doesn’t it? And it takes up a lot less space too.
2. Set Up “Zones” in Rooms
Making a small space work means making peace with the fact that you have fewer rooms to work with. Still, you can live much as you did by dividing these rooms into “zones.” This way you can have certain areas defined by their function and remain organized.
You could, for example, designate one area of the living room for TV watching, another for kids’ play, and yet another for conversation. You may not have separate rooms for these activities, but you will have designated zones for them, which ultimately works out the same.
3. Maximize Closet Space and Furniture
Closet space will, of course, be at a premium, so you absolutely must make the most of it. And the best way to do this is by using closet systems like stacked storage containers, shoe racks, tiered racks for hanging clothes, and so on. People who are really serious about making small spaces work often put their dresser or chest of drawers in the closet to free up space in the larger rooms.
You can also maximize furniture by letting some of it do double duty. A dresser top, for example, can also serve as a changing table, and beds have a lot of storage space under them.
4. Go With Smaller Furniture
Smaller furniture is also an option for making a small space work for you and your family in Ventura County. Besides taking up less room, smaller furniture will make the smaller space seem larger. Smaller furniture will allow you to maximize the available space while still having the furniture that makes a house feel like home. There are a lot of options in space-saving kitchen tables and work desks.
5. Use Mirrors
Another thing to keep in mind is that the feel of more space is often more about illusion than reality. And using strategically placed mirrors can help you create the illusion of more space. Mirrors in the living room and bedrooms will make those rooms feel both roomier and brighter.
6. Use Exposed-Leg Furniture
Another way for making a small space work for you and your family in Ventura County is to get rid of that bulky, blocky furniture. Using exposed-leg furniture will give your home a more open and roomier feel with the exposed area underneath. Remember: illusion is often more important than reality.
Making a small space work for you and your family in Ventura County is indeed possible. It may not be your first or ideal choice, but it can be done. And your local real estate professional can give you even more guidance along these lines.