This is the million dollar question in NYC, or should we say the hundred dollar question?
Has anything been written to give me ideas on living in a 12' x 17' studio room in a residence for seniors? I have looked at the Small Spaces website but find nothing really close to explain my predicament. Thank you.
Marilyn
Our main advice? Create as much flow as possible by having as little as possible in your room and keeping large furniture away from the walls and windows. We believe that Marilyn means Small Spaces on HGTV, but there is also the DIY Network's Small Spaces resource and we recommend staying away from the countless tips for ORGANIZING small spaces. The goal should be making the room beautiful and healthy with organization following from that. Only garages and closets should be referred to as ORGANIZED. MGR
I have found one pretty good book that is more realistic about our truly small NYC living situations. Many NYC studios are featured and it works it way up from 100 sq/ft to 1000 sq/ft. It is called "Living Large in Small Spaces: Expressing Personal Style in 100 to 1,000 Square Feet" by Marisa Bartolucci and Radek Kurzaj.
I also live in a 14x16 sq ft space for seniors. This type of space is also called an SRO (Single Room Occupancy) They are usually converted hotels and are half the size of a typical "Studio Apartment"
I hope you have high ceilings, that helps. Mine are 9 1/2 feet high. I painted the entire place semi-gloss white....not off white but snow white. It's a bit more open and light bounces around very well. Using mirrors helps. My coach is small but opens to a double bed. I have a metal "coffee tabe" that is white metro shelving and is on wheels so that it can be rolled out of the way at bed time.... I have a butcher block rolling butcher block cart from Boos. After entering the space, I roll this in front of the entrance. No space is wasted. I was on a very tight budget so what I did for the kitchen area was to paint the lower cabinet white and get some decent hardware from Restoration Hardware and I threw out the top cabinets and replaced them with white metal shelving....why have expensive cabinets? Commercial kitchens use shelves....everything is in reach. living like this is a bit like living on a boat. You pull out a drawer and you've messed up your house.
Metro shelving for many purposes. Can be moved around so you change looks occasionally. Can be on wheels. Can be tall or low. Table top or shelf unit.
I first bought Metro 30 years ago and I still love it. I've bought the Chinese knockoffs too. They are good too. Steel, chromed or painted (black, white).
Don't underestimate it. It is so versatile.