Thursday, January 31st, 2019
Are you a renter who frequently moves from place to place? It could be because of your career or some other reason but moving about can have lots of challenges. Just think of those heavy furniture pieces that you have to move around with you. Just thinking about it already seems taxing.
So what should you do? One of the things that you should consider is to have just the essential pieces with you. These must also be mobile and versatile enough so that you won’t have to worry about weight and the time and money that have to be spent.
Here are the absolute mobile pieces that you should invest on –
A Love Seat
A two-seater is so small that you can practically take it with you anywhere. Compared to the full-size couch, it is so mobile that you can even add two minimalist chairs and you still have a lovely ensemble that doesn’t eat up space.
If you still have more room, then you can just add another love seat. And should you decide to settle, someday, then you can always keep this furniture even when you already have a full-size sofa.
That Linear Media Unit
A simple media unit that could fit the TV on top should be enough. And if there’s room for some electronics that go with your television, then that’s just about it. This all-in-one media cabinet is especially designed to hold the TV and just the necessary electronics so you won’t have to worry about your next move.
Rolling Bar Cart
This is as stylish as you could get without creating a bulk in your home. This rolling cart could be the home for drinks and your glassware. It can also become the server, when you need one, in the dining room. It can also become that extra storage in the kitchen or even a bookshelf.
Have you ever pictured the bar cart as an arts and craft station? Or how about as a towel valet instead of a linen closet?
Pouf, Stool and Ottoman
These small seating units can also be used as a footstool, side table or as an extra seat. When grouped together, they can also serve as a coffee table. When you have a pouf, all you have to do is place a tray on top of it and it already becomes a functional table.
Extending Table
This dining table can be extended but it can also become compact when you are not using it. You have the option to spread it open only during special occasions and parties. If there are only two or three diners, then you can just leave it in its compact state.
Come the time that you finally move to your own place, then you can extend the table permanently.
A gate leg table is also great for tighter space and when you are constantly moving. With both of its leaves folded down, it can easily serve as a console table on your entryway or the living room.
Butterfly Chair
With canvas or leather stretched over a metal frame that’s collapsible, this chair is a classic and is also highly mobile. Just put it in one corner of the bedroom or the living room and when it’s time to go, all you have to do is fold it and go.
A Rattan or Wicker Headboard
When you have a basic platform bed, you can already choose not to have a box spring. You can also pick a lightweight wicker or rattan headboard instead of iron.
You’ll thank yourself when moving day arrives.
A Small Chest of Drawers
Two small drawers are much better than investing in a single huge chest. The two small pieces are a lot easier to move around with plus they are easy to put on adjacent walls if the space is a little tight.
Tags: frequent movers furniture, furniture for frequent movers, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, mobile furniture
Posted in Apartment Living, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on 10 Minimalist Pieces for the Frequent Mover
Thursday, October 18th, 2018
Have you noticed just how condominium units are becoming ever smaller? Nowadays, the home has to be functional and beautiful at the same time and no one can afford to have a spot that’s unused. All the square footage in those four walls simply have to be put to good use.
Thank goodness, these condos also come with high ceilings so the loft that results from this extra space can have its practical and aesthetic uses. So, if you have a loft and you’re wondering what to do with it, here are some ideas that might help –
A Continuous Corridor
Another way to look at lofts is to build a mezzanine that winds throughout the living area, thus, creating a seamless corridor for your tiny space. This expansion beyond the usual walkway can fit in a corner where you and your friends can play cards or where you can compete in a game of darts.
A Study Room
What about if the loft is slim, tall and it comes in twos? A dual loft space will effectively become a functional bedroom. This much bigger loft that sits on top of your condo’s open kitchen can become the study room that you have long ago wished for.
The smaller platform, on the other hand, can be delegated as a walk-in closet.
More Sleeping Spots
Having a loft means you can think in terms of bunk beds but on a much larger scale. The extended ceiling can be separated into two self-sustaining bedrooms. Each zone can have its own bed, a study desk or even a small wardrobe.
A TV Corner
And who says you always have to fight just to be able to watch your favorite TV show? With that extra space, you can now create your own private corner where you can set up your own TV set.
This TV corner can also be the perfect snooze spot if you no longer have the energy to walk all the way to your bedroom. Just add a couple of bean bags or floor pillows and you’ve already created a tiny bedroom that’s cozy, elevated, and the perfect spot to binge-watch.
Storage Space
Tiny spaces need all the extra space that they can get. Stack some shelves and what you get are more storage units for your home. These much-needed storage racks or shelves don’t have to be ugly, though. How about unleashing the artist in you by choosing the most stylish racks and shelves? Remember that you also have to consider the visual punch and not just the functionality of the furnishings that you add there.
A Master Bedroom
You can even add extra value to your home as you convert the loft space into your master bedroom. The loft may be that unfinished attic or it can be that extra vertical space in your tiny home, it really doesn’t matter. What you need to initially do is to consult with the local government regarding the building codes for residences.
Obtain the necessary permits before you even begin measuring the space and planning on what to put there.
For unfinished lofts, always consult with an engineer or an architect so that you’re ascertained that the rafters will be able to support the drywall for the walls and ceilings. Any HVAC or electrical system will also be an additional consideration.
Ensure also that the floor joists are able to support the weight of the remodeled zone. Check, yet again, with a licensed structural engineer or an architect. A room that’s lacking natural light would do well to have a skylight or even a solar tube.
Use the slanted ceiling or low areas as storage spaces. You can place small drawers and shelves there. These alcoves are also perfect as cozy reading nooks.
Tags: loft, loft design, loft design elements, loft design ideas, loft essentials, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Apartment Living, Condo Living, Decorative Elements, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on 6 Must-know Loft Ideas
Tuesday, September 18th, 2018
More and more people seem to be realizing the advantages of living in smaller homes. Maintenance and expense-wise, these homeowners embrace the lifestyle of owning a tiny house with a grateful heart.
Small homes are beautiful but just in the right hands. They are practical and easy to live in but you also have to do your part so that you won’t end up being grumpy in a cramped space. Here are some tips that can make you visually stretch your small habitat –
No More Clutter
There is nothing more cramping that a space that has too much stuff. Find ways that you can view and appreciate your collections without them stuffing the space. Learn to organize behind those doors, in shelves, and even under the dining room table skirts.
Things that are neatly arranged and are kept out of your sight will give your space an orderly, thus, a more spacious look.
Block Not
It’s time to open the way. If there are furniture pieces and accessories that are currently blocking spaces and views in your home, then it’s time to have them repositioned, stored or disposed.
Keep the walkways open by moving the furniture as far away from them as possible. Doing this will make the place appear and feel larger.
Use smaller pieces of furniture such as an armless chair, ottomans and a low table. If you still have a few pieces of tall and large furniture, then have them line the walls instead of having them take up valuable space.
Lighter, Always
Creating a visually expansive space is easy when you know how to use proper hues. Pick only the lighter and softer hues. The warmer and darker colors will make the space cozier and more intimate but they also have the power to make your home look cramped.
Sheer fabrics are also your go to fabrics for your type of layout. These window treatments allow light and breeze to freely pass through. You can also use them as bed skirts, slipcovers, and table covers.
You can now choose from a variety of colors as well as patterns. Just keep the look simple by using only cool colors and delicate fabrics. Find other see-through materials. Get rid of that opaque glass in your shower enclosure. Replace it with the frameless, clear one. By doing so, you will realize that you’ve just doubled the space (only visually though).
Illuminate All the Time
Many interior design professionals now use track lighting instead of lamps. Small rooms tend to function and look better with the former, that’s why. There are now beautiful track lights that can fill up a small space with light. Find the style that goes with the lighting fixtures that you have chosen. Lobbies are lit quite differently from bedrooms but since your goal is to make the room appear bigger, just make sure that it’s amply lit each time that it’s in use.
And during the day, make sure that natural light freely flows in. Get rid of the heavy draperies and open up the windows. Lastly, make good use of reflective surfaces such as mirrored walls and glass tabletops.
Coordinate
The enemy of a tiny home is a broken up space caused by contrasting hues. Learn to coordinate colors by having the walls and furnishings come in the same color family.
Sometimes Bigger Is Better
At times, the use of a few large pieces of furniture or accessories can also work. Their upholstery must be kept plain so that they do not clash with the existing design. Allow texture to create the visual interest.
The armchairs and sofas that have raised legs can create a sense of spaciousness. Dispose any furniture that are dark and have unnecessary details.
Tags: McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small home design, small homes
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Tiny Homes | Comments Off on From Tiny to Expansive: How to Make a Small Room Appear Bigger
Wednesday, July 4th, 2018
Your big move from a house to a tiny apartment is a great way to have a new start. This change, of course, comes with some adjustments that may feel foreign or even overwhelming. Some might even be downright scary. But this does not have to happen to you. When you finally make this big leap, then you have to know what to expect.
These days, a lot of people have decided to downsize. Just go to the Internet and you will see hundreds of options. The news is that downsizing is just a small part of moving from a house to a smaller housing unit.
Smaller Space
This is probably the most obvious change that you will encounter. The reduced living space is needful for efficiency, meaning, every square footage is used even when the rooms are smaller. Since this is so, you need to rethink the furniture that you bring in. You will have to say goodbye to that oversized sofa and find a sleeker version.
Little Yard
Do you detest mowing the lawn? Busy working people and families with smaller children might view lawn mowing as a chore rather than a treat. A smaller yard means having a smaller landscaping to work on. Most apartment dwellers are contented with a container garden – maybe you would, too.
Limited Storage
It’s time to take a hard look into your cabinets, cupboards, and drawers. What do these storage units contain? This is the perfect time to declutter your life and keep your possessions in check.
Are all the things stored in your cabinets used on a daily, weekly or monthly basis? Or have then been used at all in the last few years? It’s time to decide which things you would want to keep and which things need to go.
Here are some things that you might want to check again –
See if you can give away some items that you no longer use and be sure to create a list of the things that you do use every day.
Safety and Security
Living in smaller quarters means you are within an earshot from your neighbors all of the time. It also becomes easier to make friends with your neighboring units so anyone who doesn’t look familiar would be easier to recognize.
Also, rental communities come with security guards or pass cards or even security codes when you need to enter the premises. Ask your landlord about the kind of security that is in place on your premises. Most homeowners are surprised with the added safety measures which they are able to get for zero cost.
TV and Internet
Apartment living may come with TV and Internet subscriptions. Do not immediately consider this as a downside. The advantage to this is that you no longer have to worry about an extra expense for these things that you regularly use anyway.
Be sure to check the internet situation before you decide to move in. Many complex owners are able to get better packages or deals for TV or internet packages.
Love the Daybed
Moving to a tiny apartment might mean using multipurpose furnishings. Instead of putting the bed in the middle of your living room, why not have a daybed which folds to a couch in the morning? Why not add an ottoman with storage when you’re thinking of adding another storage box?
Remember always that you have limited square footage so learn to use furnishings as functional pieces and also as aesthetic stuff. Instead of creating tiny rooms, why not have one room serve as a living room in the day and a bedroom at night?
Tags: living in a small house, living in a small space, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small home, small houses
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Tiny Homes | Comments Off on Downsizing to Apartment Living
Saturday, June 23rd, 2018
If you have to read about the history of townhouse living, then you’d have to go to Rome or even England and start your research there. Manhattan may be booming with apartments and townhouses but these structures weren’t born there.
The townhouse is that rental property that is either freestanding or attached to another townhouse. These habitats often have a terrace.
A rented townhouse comes with a monthly fee that is asked by the owner of the property in exchange for living the property. At times, the owners and the tenants live in the same habitat. Typically, only one family can be housed in such a unit, though.
Living in a townhouse comes with amenities such as pools, gyms, and spas. While apartments date all the way back to the times of the Ancient Romans, the townhouse came into existence in England when the aristocrats spent months living in different places at a time. While these elite people were living away from their homes, they had a townhouse to serve as their habitat.
The appeal to live in a townhouse is insatiable especially among urban dwellers. Just imagine having to pay heftily for every square inch of space in Manhattan so wanting to move into a more spacious dwelling unit is a dream come true. Plus, there is an increased sense of security since your neighbors are just within earshot.
Making the Most of Townhouse Living
Living in a townhouse is all about making the most of the space that you are provided with. It is all about making the eyes believe that the area is actually more spacious than it actually is. In the wrong designer’s hands, a townhouse could very easily turn into a claustrophobic environment rather than a cozy one.
Be able to decorate in such a way that light and colors are optimized. Make correct use of weight and scale as these can either make or break your design.
You could try a few things when you have grown tired of the traditional setups. So, instead of the usual blinds for the window treatments, you could use flowing drapes as they tend to make the eyes imagine height, thus, giving you vertical space. The floor-to-ceiling types are the best options to accomplish this visual goal.
Regardless of size, the living room in a townhouse must be the area of relaxation and entertainment. When you are designing for a dual purpose, you have to learn to use elements that could open up space. For instance, the age-old trick of using mirrors to reflect light can be used in the living area. Strategically placed mirrors can visually widen the space.
You can put the mirror behind a light source like a pendant lamp or even a lit candelabrum. This should give your townhouse the illusion of having another window.
You can also use the vertical space to hang small to medium-sized artworks. This technique is also used to make rooms visually larger. The trick here is that the eyes are led to roam the space horizontally.
When using colors, it would be best to shy away from dark hues. Small homes would do well to use neutral color palettes because these are known to push back the walls, visually of course. Softer hues also tend to lighten and brighten up a room since they can reflect light. Softer colors also add instant sophistication as well as a homier feel.
Lastly, pick only the furniture that has a lightweight appearance. It would be wrong to add chunky pieces of furniture as these will constrict your space. Use end tables and coffee tables that come in pale hues. Your best friends are glass and light-colored wood furnishings.
Tags: designing a townhouse, history of townhouses, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, townhouse design, townhouse history, townhouse living
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Tiny Homes, Townhouse Living | Comments Off on Why Townhouse Living Is Beautiful
Friday, June 15th, 2018
The design of an apartment studio can pose many challenges. But every single one of these can be overcome with the right mindset and also a set of rules. You will be advised to not function take over aesthetics so many homeowners are in a dilemma when they have to design a small space.
A Controlled Color Palette
So you might ask what the color palette has to do with the overall layout. There is no need to overthink this. This simply means that you don’t need to complicate your design. Small apartments should be given the simplest designs as much as possible. Also, you don’t need to make the layout cramped with too many stuff or you’d end up making it look choppy or cluttered.
Just focus on one up to three colors only. Have them infused throughout the apartment rather than just a single section. Doing so will help you connect the entire apartment space together. This will also make it easy for the eyes to comprehend what’s going on.
Now more than ever, you should follow the 60-30-10 rule. Since you’re working with just a limited square footage, have your dominant shade at 60%. This has to be a neutral color so that you can use it throughout the room without having to worry.
Next, use 30% of your chosen secondary color. The rest should be the accent hue which comprises just 10% of the palette.
Yes, Divide
Some apartment owners just end up having a room that’s one continuous space. But even a studio type apartment needs to be divided. Don’t use a lot or you’d end up with a confusing layout or space would simply look choppy. If you’re lacking, on the other hand, there might also be a confusion on where one room ends and the next one begins.
The classic room divider is the bed. This will separate the bedroom from all the other living spaces. You can also use open shelves so that the areas won’t be too visually separated.
You can also experiment with the placement of the sofa and the entertainment center.
Having divisions will also define every functional area. Don’t end up making your apartment look too utilitarian. There is so much more you can do even with a small space. Every space must still have a distinct function and this must be indicated on your layout.
Let Visual Height Help
When you have limited square footage, it’s time to look up and use whatever visual height you are provided with. Purposefully draw the eyes upward so that your home becomes more interesting.
You can effectively do this by adding a vertically-designed shelf or bookcase. You can also use tall room dividers and a sizable painting. You can also hang vertical mirrors on just the right spots. You can also have your storage units installed vertically so that you’ll have more space to store your other stuff.
Layer It
A beautifully-designed apartment sometimes lies on how properly the design elements were layered. Many interior designers take on their project in this manner. They know the value of layers and so they apply it in most of their designs.
You can use a bold rug to add color, depth, and visual division to your space. A patterned rug in a sea of neutrals should do the trick.
You can also layer with furniture. Don’t automatically go for the sets. You can shop for complementary pieces and then use the right accessories to finish the look.
You can also achieve layering by using complementary shapes and styles as well as finding upholstery in an array of hues instead of the usual single color.
Tags: designing an apartment, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on The Studio Apartment That’s Functional and Pretty
Monday, April 2nd, 2018
Okay, so you know that you can’t own one of those stuffy furniture pieces since you live in a small space and you also know that there are ways to design your tiny home, so what now?
Living in a tiny space such as a studio apartment has its downside, sure, but having a fresh perspective can also make a huge difference. This tiny spot which is now a mere small structure can become your home if you do things a certain way.
So, yes, there are rules to design this small habitat and here are some of the major ones –
Enclose the Bed
You should do everything in your power to keep the bed separate from the rest of the furnishings. Since you do not have a bedroom, then the best way to do this is to find a closet that the bed can fold into during the morning. If not, then have some curtains set up so there is, at least, a semblance of privacy for that spot.
Raise the Bed
Even the smallest beds can still take up a huge amount of space. You can easily double the square footage by just raising your bed. Add a riser so you can have under-bed storage space.
Hang Stuff
If there isn’t enough floor space, then look up. Now you have lots of space! Never let those ceiling and walls go to waste. Install pegs or hooks onto those walls for additional storage or display spaces. As for your kitchen space, use the ceiling to hang pot racks.
Use Aptly-Sized Furniture
Going back to that big furniture, it is not necessarily true that small apartments cannot be the home chunky furniture. See, having many small pieces sprinkled throughout the small space could make your apartment look cluttered. To avoid this, just add a few smart, bigger furniture pieces so your place can feel airier.
Make good use of glass furniture. Not only do they seemingly widen the space because of their clear surfaces but they can also help bounce light around the room.
Enough of Drama
Small and dark homes do tend to look dramatic but they could also look gloomy. Add more light to make your place appear more spacious. Lighting has the power to make spaces look bigger. Add to this luminance by cleaning your windows, too, and taking away any of the stuff that can obscure the natural light.
As for your wall colors, your options should be within the light color spectrum. Avoid dark, patterned, and textured pieces because these can just add to the visual bulk.
Use Mirrors
A leaning mirror on a wall could reflect a lot of natural light. You can add bouncing lights around the small space by also hanging some more mirrors. Just like glass furniture, mirrors are a great tool for brightening up space.
Use Dividers
But use these with caution. Too many dividers could also chop up the room instead of making it look visually divided. The wrong divider setup could also make the place claustrophobic.
The key here is to use dividers that are just high enough so that light could still go through.
Double It Up
Seek out furniture pieces with double purposes just like the Jessica Charles Living Room Dare Storage Ottoman. This seat doubles as a storage space standing at 21 inches and 48 inches wide. Just think of the many stuff that you can place inside this 24-inch deep storage unit.
As for the chairs, you can go for the stackable types which can double as living room and dining room seats. A daybed is also another piece that you can use.
Tags: designing a small apartment, designing a tiny home, interior design for tiny homes, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, small apartment design, tiny home
Posted in Apartment Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on What To Do With A One-Room Apartment
Tuesday, March 20th, 2018
Small apartments, without a doubt, are one of the trickiest spaces to design. First of all, you have to deal with limited space and you also have to consider choosing which pieces to include in the design or not. A lot of homeowners have already made the mistake of designing their small apartments without rules and they end up crying over the disaster that strikes after.
Admit it, a smaller space has more requirements since you have limited real estate to beautify. Function and comfort are also two elements that you should not forget about.
Here are some mistakes that others before you have done. It’s time to learn from them –
As Flexible As Your Furniture
Most homeowners and even a few designers would say that huge furniture has no space in a small apartment. The mistake here, though, is that you are locked into thinking that you should only shop for smaller furniture pieces.
Having a successfully designed small space means you have to have furniture that is flexible. Learn to arrange furniture in the best possible way. You might consider investing in multiple pieces when you can actually just have one huge piece with more than one function.
Take for instance a daybed. This can serve as a sofa during the day and a bed at night. Nesting tables such as the Hooker Furniture Living Room Nesting Tables are also a good investment since the extra table can be pulled out the moment more guests arrive.
Correct furniture arrangement for a small apartment also means moving pieces out of the way before the guests arrive. You would want to keep furniture pieces that are mobile, simple, and versatile.
While it does make sense that you buy smaller furniture in a small apartment, the truth is, this isn’t a hundred-percent applicable at all times. Buying smaller pieces does not automatically make the apartment look bigger, in fact, if the proportions don’t make sense, then the apartment could end up looking smaller than it actually is. This is what’s known as the dollhouse effect.
Making Do with Limited Storage
Another huge mistake that many homeowners have made is to make do with the storage that they have in their small apartment. The smarter move is to figure out what you need to store. These are the things that you use daily or regularly.
Oprah Winfrey once said that if you’re no longer using something for six months or over, then, chances are, you won’t use that anymore.
Add storage if you have to but learn also to let go of stuff that only becomes clutter.
Not Following the 2/3 Rule
Whether you like it or not, you have to buy the proper size of furniture. Again, this is dependent on correct measurements. You don’t just eyeball a piece prior to purchasing it, you have to have the numbers to follow.
Not Trusting Your Gut Feel
As soon as you have made all the measurements and have purchased the furniture pieces, the next step is to plan how you can use each one in your home. While many design experts are more than willing to impart their know-how regarding this, your perception will always be the best tool that you can rely on. This is no less than your sixth sense so trust it when you are arranging the pieces that you have bought.
Always pay close attention to how you feel the moment you place the pieces in the living room, the bedroom or any room in your home. If it does not feel right, then more often than not, there is something wrong with the design that you just concocted.
Tags: designing a small apartment, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, styling an apartment
Posted in Apartment Living, Condo Living, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Big Mistakes, Small Apartment
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