Posted by Julie Signore on August 06, 1998 at 10:56:07:
In Reply to: Building a Home posted by Marcy Goldsmith on August 06, 1998 at 05:33:15:
: I'm in the process of designing a new home(small). Would you give me
: suggestions for what to have built-in so I can keep my new home organized?
Aloha Marcy!
Congratulations for thinking in advance!!! Built-ins are wonderful!! I'll give you a few off the top of my head ...w/out knowing the exact sq. footage I wouldn't know where to stop. :) Where you live plays a role tto...are you in a cold winter climate? Will you have a wood burning stove or fireplace?
(if you have a choice now & do live in a cold area ...go for the wood burning stove -- it's cleaner & more efficient by a long shot!)
• built - in for logs in the room the stove/fireplace will reside (fed from a door from the outside opposite wall) so wood shavings, & muddy footprints are reduced
• built in entertainment unit (if your short on space create a "drop down door" on the unit that can convert an area to a desk space
• built in book cases (floor to ceiling)
• built in dressers
• walk in closet w/closet organizers installed
• pull outs in the kitchen cabinets & drawers
• kitchen counter "garages" to contain frewquently used appliances (use the "dead space" on 2 corners of your countertops where it's harder to stretch)
• built in ironing board (you can use a small portion of a wall in a walk in closet if the closet is big enough & WELL lite! -- you don't want to create a clausterphobic space if this area is not big enough)
• if it's a 2 story home or laundry will be in a basement -- put in a laundry shute
• if there are stairwells involved -- anywhere in the home -- create a storage space w/shelves & door in this area OR create a pull out bookcase style unit on rollers for storing "specialty" pots/pans, Christmas wrap, camping gear etc...
• a bill paying/mail center desk -- put cabinets on the wall above the desk too! If this area is off the kitchen it can become an area to plan your family mealls & store cookbooks also.
• utilize *all* closet space to the max -- shelves, shelves & more shelves
• if you are building a garage -- go deeper than normal & create a "work area" & conducive environment to store tools so you can still use your garage for automobiles.
• if there are any "pitched ceilings"in the home ...use the floor space that isn't conducive to standing up straight for additional shelving in bedrooms or baths & even a dresser
• built in window seats are a great space for you to create a space to escape to (keep the view in mind) Make sure you create drawers or a cabinet as the base for the window seat)
• built in folding table for the laundry room, w/plenty of space for storing soaps & even a cabinet w/a dowel for storing excess hangers
• a pantry!! If given the choice from the get go ...a pantry is one of the best investments of space you can have. An old time favorite being rejuvenated in many new homes -- at last!!!
By utilizing built ins a tremendous amount of floor space can be squandered. When incorporating built ins in the "furniture dept" you will also realize a savings in purchases.
I commend you once again on giving this a serious thought at this stage of the game -- if you need more detail -- drop a line here again & we'll see what comes up!
Good luck!!! :)
Much Aloha,
Julie Signore - CEO
1,2,3 SORT IT - Organizing Solutions - Innovative Tools