Space Case: Create A Room Within A Room

DESIGN | by JANNA LUFKIN

DO YOU WISH YOU HAD A LITTLE MORE SPACE in your home? Not much really, just a quiet place to sit and read, perhaps a corner to pay bills and organize your household papers. That’s not asking much, is it?

Recently I found myself asking these same questions. In my case, I dream about a spot to sew: a place to be creative, have my bits and pieces of fabrics around me, my sewing notions organized, a table my sewing machine could sit on instead of always having to be put away, a sunny window with beautiful natural light. Dream on … right?

No. Don’t dream, re-imagine.

Do you have rooms that sit unused for months? Dining rooms that see little action except during the holidays, a guest room that sits quietly awaiting occasional visitors? A living room that sees little living or a porch that catches nothing more than kicked off shoes and coats?

With a little creativity and planning, some savvy organizing and a bit of vision, you CAN carve out your little bit of heaven.

Here’s my secret:  Make a room inside of a room.

For example, an unorganized or underutilized closet makes a great office. I’ve run my business out of a closet for the past 18 years (OK, I did have a window installed) — an easy fix for such a valuable space.

A dining room makes a great library, and vice-versa! Imagine candlelit dinners where bookcases live next to china cabinets and lamps quietly illuminate the space instead of an overhead chandelier. A couple of upholstered chairs pulled up to the ends of a table make it cozy for dining and reading.

As for my sewing spot? I have a certain college freshman who just may spend the summer away from home — bingo!