SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: STORAGE BEDS DIRECT

BluLabel Bungalow welcomes our newest supporter, Storage Beds Direct! This U.K.-based company has a wide selection of storage solutions for your small space. I can attest firsthand to the functionality of this design because I had one in my first place, a 525 square foot condo in Midtown Atlanta. My bed was very similar to this one with drawers, but what I owned was not nearly as stylish as these. I stored my everyday clothes in two units that tucked neatly under the bed, yet everything was still easily accessible.

The Hyder Bali Leather Ottoman Bed nearly blew my mind when I saw the mattress raise like the roof on a convertible. This is perfect for storing out of clothing, shoes, and pretty much anything that is used seasonally or infrequently.

Storage Beds Direct also sells guest /or trundle beds that accommodate a full sized mattress so your visitors can sleep comfortably. Beds are stored underneath the main unit when not in use.

There is much more to see on their website from headboards, chest of drawers, and desks to divan beds, mattresses, and bedding accessories that help you make every night a restful one. Take a look and see how Storage Beds Direct can provide you with smart solutions for your small space.

7 WAYS TO EMBRACE YOUR SMALL SPACE

Itty bitty kitchens and bathrooms are hardly thought of as a desirable quality in a home. Personally I believe it has everything to do with perspective. My first place was a mere 365 square feet, but it was mine! The narrow galley kitchen stretched my imagination regarding storage solutions and was super easy to clean. The bathroom was equally tiny and as a self professed product junkie, I can say it really forced me to edit my stuff and only keep what I favored most.

In a recent article for houzz, I provided readers with 7 smart ideas for making each square foot count. Whether you live in 700 square feet or 7000, each tip is equally effective. Let's take a look!

Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

#1: Raise the ceiling and a few eyebrows with a bold graphic stripe.
A simple scheme of black and white brings big drama to this small bath. The stripes give the illusion of more height, while the feature wall adds interest and style.

via ADEENI DESIGN GROUP

#2 Take advantage of every nook and cranny.
Slim and stunning, mosaic tile and a sculptural sink take this bath from practical to polished.

via Frisson

#3 Outfit your kitchen with attractive cookware.
Proving to be as functional as the next, this petite kitchen allows everyday items to become part of the decor. A fiery red tea kettle and set of cookware adds spice to this modest kitchen. A simple spice rack above the stove top makes it convenient to cook a flavorful meal.

Love these tips? Click here to get the other 4 tips to help you embrace your small space! Have a great weekend!

6 TRICKS THAT MAGICALLY ENHANCE YOUR SMALL SPACE

Those who have mastered the art of living in compact quarters can attest the to fact that bigger is not always better. Knowing how to enhance your space and make best use of what you have is what counts. This post takes the mystery out of decorating a small space and gives you the tips you need to create an enchanting home. Here are a few simple ways to amaze your family and friends by channeling your inner magician:

via Carson Poetzl, Inc.

1. Make Objects Appear

Once lit, these exotic Moroccan lanterns feature a hand cut pattern which allows an hypnotic light to dance around the room.

via megan arquette c/o beachbungalow8

2. Captivate Your Audience
Use wallpaper to create drama with texture and repeat patterns. The trellis pattern is art unto itself and reduces the need for much wall decor.

via Celia James

3. Create Optical Illusions
Adding a mirror to a small space is the oldest trick in the book. The reflection virtually enlarges the space and brightens the room using sunlight from the opposite window.

For more tricks like these [I have three more!!] visit my article on houzz.com

What tricks have you performed to enhance your small space?

SMALL SPACES SIMPLIFIED.

I'm guest blogging at Simplifed Bee today! Cristin asked that I share some tips and advice on decorating and designing a small space. Her request was in sync with the release of the Heart and Soul magazine article, how timely!

Take a moment to review my top 6 tips that prove that living large is all about quality and not quantity. Click here for the article. Enjoy!

TWIN BEDS, ALL GROWN UP

If the thought of twin beds immediately takes you back to childhood, then you haven't seen these! Retailers have really upped the style quotient on this slumber party/sleepover commodity. These mini beds pack lots of style and leave room to spare.

 via Lonny Magazine

via Lonny Magazine

via Sunset Blvd Hotel

Reconsider the twin bed if you live in a small space or even for your guest room. Guests have the option to sleep separately or push them together. So what's your vote? B.L.B. votes yes for functionality, style, and a bit of nostalgia.

{image credits: A.)via decorpad.com B.) House Beautiful C.)Amanda Nesbit, commentary and layout by Erika Ward for BluLabel Bungalow}

FRESHMEN SEMINAR 101: GUIDE TO DORM DECOR

After posting Small Spaces and the Luxury of Less, I received an email from Pam (a loyal reader) requesting decorating ideas for her daughter's dorm room. Instantly, memories of living at Brumby Hall flooded my mind. I remember standing in my doom room with my Mother and Grandparents trying to figure out what to send back home with them! I clearly had way too much stuff. When my roommate arrived, a wave of claustrophobia hit.  Two of us would be living in this shoebox. I desperately tried to find photos of our room, but had to resort to this sketch:
We had loft beds built so we could make better use of the floor space. On this side of the room was my bed, desk, and a futon. On the opposite side was her bed, her desk, a makeshift pantry, mini refrigerator, and TV. After uploading my sketch I found this 3D rendering of our room on the UGA Housing website. I wish I had this prior to moving in!

 via UGA Housing

A Couple of Quick Tips...

• Get the feel of wall-to-wall carpeting using a carpet remnant or room size rug.
• Install loft beds. You will doubled the room square footage when you raised the beds off the floor. When guests visit they can sit on the floor or a small sofa instead of on your bed.
  
• Go bold with color. Most dorms don't allow you to paint the walls so seize the opportunity by using fabrics (bedding/furniture/pillows) to inject color.
• Organization is key. When the two of you are living in a mouse hole, neither of you can afford to be messy. EVERYTHING in your room needs to have an assigned place when not in use!!

 via NY Magazine

While there are restrictions on what you can do to your space, these guy proved that one doesn't have to be doomed to a semester of lackluster decor.


Other Advice:

Regarding Bedding...
You have no control over the quality of your mattress, but you do control what goes on top.

• Choose an egg crate mattress pad or a memory foam mattress topper for extra support and comfort. *Be sure to air them out for a couple of hours. They tend to smell like a Sharpie marker when fresh out the package*
• Buy high thread count sheets. Crawling into a soft linens after a long night of partying studying helps you to recover from a wild night rest well and feel refreshed the next day.
• Choose bold colors/and or pattern for your comforter especially if you are not allowed to paint. This may be one of the only opportunities to inject personality into your space.

Regarding Furniture...

• If  you don't have to share a room, consider bringing in a bedside table from home or pick one up from a local thrift. 
• Use slipcovers to hide an ugly desk chair or add a bright seat cushion for comfort as well as a pop of color.

Regarding Accessories/Wall Decor

• Add curtains. Be sure to use tension rods for inside mounting. You are not allowed to drill holes in the wall.
• Add a cute desk lamp.
• Use stylish desk accessories. Show that you have smarts and style to boot!
• Get creative with wall art. I got excited when I saw this post at Jenny's about making Big Art from Small Items. Read all about it here and be inspired!

 Blueprint Magazine via Little Green Notebook

Do you recall your college dorm room? What additional advice would you give to someone sharing a small space?

SMALL SPACES AND THE LUXURY OF LESS

In the House Beautiful July/August 2010 issue, they pose the question, "Is Small the New Big?" Initially, I was irritated by the question simply because it sounded like yet another trend. In 7-10 years will we once again be in love with sprawling estates?

Naturally, small is the new big when so many are downsizing due to current economic conditions. While everyone is not in financial straits some have chosen to reduce their living space in order to be more ecologically responsible. The article examines three homes, the largest a mere 650 square feet, and concludes that living large is all about quality and not quantity.

When visiting potential clients, I find they have enough furniture and accessories to furnish two homes. In fact, most of us have more than we really need. My first inclination is to grab a box and begin removing excess from the walls and mantels, but I know better than that. We are sensitive about our stuff, aren't we? Instead I offer the following suggestions, applicable to both large and small homes, when practicing "The Luxury of Less" principle:

via oly studio

Edit Your Space
Perform a "healthy purge" and keep only what you love. If you can't bear to part with your knick-knacks, consider a wall display or arranging them together in a curio cabinet. This works best when you have a collection of one or two items.

via canadian house and home

Seek Help With Organization
Living with what you need requires you to know what you need. Perform an assessment of each space noting the function of each room. If an item in the room does not serve a relevant need, then remove it. Be sure that each remaining item "has a home" or an assigned place when not in use.

via Lee Industries

Choose Dual Purpose Furniture
Shop smarter. Choose furnishing that serve two purposes, i.e. a ottoman that serves as additional seating as well as a coffee table.

via canadian house and home

Seek Help With Space Planning
The wrong furniture arrangement can kill a space.  Employ designer tricks to find optimal seating arrangements and traffic flow in the room.  The House Beautiful article lends two pieces of advice:

1. Keep the seating arrangments pulled away from the walls. Creating spaces beyond the furniture adds volume to the room.
2. Use furniture with exposed legs. This creates air space and a feeling of openness you cannot achieve with upholstery that goes to the floor.

via Summer Thornton

Buy the Highest Quality You Can Afford, Fake the Rest
Your budget is small, but you splurge on your dream wallpaper. You don't have money left for a custom bed so make one. There are countless tutorials on the web that guide you through the steps of making an upholstered headboard. Give your headboard an expensive look with tufting and/or framing.

via BeeLine Home

Inject Interest with Color and Patterns
Using colors and patterns provides eye candy and really draws you into a space. Painted floors, playful wallpapers, artwork, and soft fabrics help to bring the room to life and establish the personality of its owner.


Do you find satisfaction in living with less? How have your made your life simpler this year?

Sharing Spaces - Tips for Hosting Loved Ones During a Recession

"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." - Unknown

In today's glooming economy, many families have lost jobs, depleted their savings, and broken their nest eggs in an effort to survive. Friends and families are welcoming displaced loved ones into their homes and at times the transition can be a bit rough. Here are a few tips to help the
transition go a bit smoother; the getting along part is a whole different topic.

If your home is now starting to resemble a shelter, consider these tips:

1. Use a room divider to create a private space within a larger area. The use of a room divider will give any room in your home a new look and feel that enhances the room's decor, creates new and interesting spaces, and makes large rooms feel more cozy and welcoming.
2. Take inventory of furniture and storage needs. If it is necessary to purchase additional furniture, consider a trundle bed. Essentially a bed on wheels, a trundle bed can be stored underneath another bed and is a convenient way to have a guest bed available when you need it. It can be stored when not in use. Beds with drawers are also great space savers. The drawers take the place of additional furniture and preserve precious floor space. Before purchasing brand new furniture, shop local flea markets and Craigslist for small furniture needs. You'll be surprised at what's available and the money you can save buying second hand. Other alternatives such as storage boxes, cots, and air mattresses can be easily stored under furniture or in a closet.
3. Allow the new occupant to help decorate the space they will be occupying. Be sure though to pare down as much as possible, but don’t make them feel as if you are stripping them of their personal belongings. Allow them choose what to keep, toss, or donate.
4. This tip, I cannot stress enough, Practice Housitosis Prevention! Is this a new term for you? Simply stated, housitosis is when your house has bad breath. Common culprits are pet odors, dirty laundry, stale food, and shoe odors. We all have different household habits, but when living in a communal household the following is non-negotiable:

• Wash clothes on a regular basis

• Thoroughly clean pet accidents from floors

• Clean litter box DAILY

• Clean your kitchen DAILY

• Do not leave kitchen trash in the house overnight

This tip list is not all encompassing, but these few are applicable in all situations no matter who the guest may be.