All month long we've been talking about going high with storage in small spaces. Although it might feel awkward at first to have books near the ceiling, it's really a great way to get it all in — just like in this 150sqft home!
In this one photo, there are several different methods of storage. Starting small there are spice racks and picture rails to hang multiple photos and pieces of artwork from. There's bookshelves above the cabinets and a stash away spot over the entryway.
Had this space of been this small with a low ceiling it would have felt far more claustrophobic and pint sized. Making the most of what you have is the name of the game and even if we would have created more decorative panels for above the door, we still applaud the effort, because we're not sure if we personally have the courage to live in 150sqft!
Would you have done something different? You can check out the rest of the photos of this space over on Flickr.
(Image: Flickr member ClatieK licensed for use by Creative Commons)
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Comments (16)
That DIY storage over the entry-way makes me nervous
I have to agree; the bottom of the DIY storage thing looks like it's bowing from the weight. I like the idea of finding storage space up high (have done some of this in my own home), the open shelves don't really look sturdy enough for the weight of the books, plus, I wonder the books will get moldy/musty because of the moisture from the kitchen area below. It would be tidier to install a cabinet where the two book shelves are.
Yeah, I know that there are opportunities to store things up high, but I always find it much too inconvenient. I understand that this is 150sq feet and this storage is out of necessity, but in my 700 sq-ft place I will suffice to play tetris under the bed or on the shelf space I have within reach (c:
I think I would have liked to see a ladder rack up again the cabinets, or maybe under the 'entry way', because I would like to know how this person gets to their belongings.
i would hope they aren't playing 'spider monkey' and crawling all over their cabinets.
also...i would have done without the large halogen floor lamp, and replaced it with a more modern lamp.
other than that...very creative. i would never think to place all my books so high up.
I am curious to see the rest of this home.
CallDoctorBison - There's a link above to the Flickr set containing more photos of this space!
Huh. I think I have that exact same microwave. (It is small and cute and has the rotating function, and someone was giving it away, so I took it even though I already have a much bigger and powerful and overall functional microwave with no rotation.)
After looking at more pictures, it kind of reminds me of my college dorm when I had a 16 x 8 single. I loved that room. But I have too much furniture now.
Might be able to make it work with a full size loft though - my little couch would fit underneath, and the hide-a-bed would make me able to accommodate guests.
But I'm getting married, and I know my fiance wouldn't go for it. That, and I do prefer to have a stove.
Ugh. Way too cluttered. What I would have done with ceilings that high is 1) gotten a lofted bed from Ikea and outfitted the bottom with Billy bookcases and baskets for storage, and a couch in front of it 2) put a parson's table along the wall where the shelf with clothes is now (i.e. opposite the loft set-up I'd put in) 3) transferred all music and movies to a computer set up on said parson's table 4) replaced all the books with digital versions and gotten a Kindle or Sony reader.
In a space that small, there is no need for a TV. Make the computer your one entertainment and use the precious storage for clothes and other necessities.
oh goodness my dorm room is bigger than that!
Might have been nice to see the rest...
"Had this space of been this small.."
Uh oh, grammar police...
More relelvantly, I'm impressed by the rigged up drop-ceiling storage space. I've wanted to do something like that in my 335 square foot apartment as well.
I'm equally impressed that ClatieK has managed to house all of her stuff without a closet in sight. That takes some skill!
I'm impressed with the overhead entry storage but I completely agree with JoannaC ... what a cluttered mess! She definitely needs a loft bed. Perhaps money is the issue? Sell some of the junk and get the loft! Yikes ...
I agree with the loft idea.
I've lived in a space almost as teeny as that, and I like to think in terms of a ship's cabin or luxe pullman car.
I would have put in a custom loft bed that extended the width of the apartment over the door/kitchen area (quhttp://www.mcwoodworksinc.com/loftbedupgrades.htmleen loft bed ) to keep the light from the windows unobstructed and used arched brackets to create a more architectural effect (along with better non-sag support!) to hold up the storage over the door.
But then, that would take money- and it looks like the resident here did a darn find inventive job with what they had available!
We lived in a 300 square foot studio and had no trouble fitting everything in. But we were students at the time and just didn't have a lot of stuff. A futon, a couple bookcases, a small dining table and chairs, and a laptop desk were sufficient.
I think the resident did a good job with this space. Building upwards is definitely the way to go. I would have used one of the walls (probably the one with the TV) to put in a lot more shelves/bookcases/storage and then left the remaining wall open except for the bed. Or pushed the head of the bed up the window. I applaud using the space above the cupboards, but I probably wouldn't have put books up there because it looks hard to access.
I have similar over the door storage. Made sure it was put up by a good carpenter and didn't overload it. I used a table runner cut in half (the dimensions were perfect). Mine is heavy dark gray with black material and actually looks like a work of japanese art.