Space Planning

Space Planning is EVERYTHING!  Unfortunately, when the housing boom was going on, contractors put up a house in weeks, rather than months.  The consumer comes along, takes advantage of the great deal but doesn't really consider if the house will function well with their family and lifestyle.  Often the 'curb appeal' takes precedence over the space or we realize some of the spaces won't work but we decide to sacrifice and make do.  Big Mistake. 

That's what I did.  Because of circumstances, I had just two weeks to find a home for the kids and I.  This home has some great spaces but some pretty dysfunctional ones.  I, like many, decided to make do.  Now, I regret to some extent the decision I made.  

Take for instance my 'office'.  When I moved in, there was no place to put a computer so I created a desk in my bedroom as shown in the picture below. 

It functioned well enough but I got sick of the constant mess and people coming and going from my room.  This past summer, I decided to make a change.  The computer ended up here...

In the hall closet.  I liked some features of this little nook.  I could shut the door on the mess and no one was in my room at all hours of the day and night working on homework.  Not a great space because it was too small if two people were sitting at the computer.

Recently, I came up with this solution. 

We have a loft in our house that is too small for much of anything.  While I didn't want my office upstairs, it really was the best solution and best use of space.  I built a corner desk unit so that we can house two computers, one for Shelbie and one for me and my business.  The filing cabinets also fit well which was a problem with the closet location.

In the past, I use the loft as my sewing/craft space too.  Well, my solution to that was to keep it there but behind the closed doors of an old computer armoire.

That has worked out great!  When I am working on a project, I pull out the keyboard tray and place the sewing machine on it then close it all up when I'm done.

The corner desk was really easy to construct.  I had two long 'card' tables so I put them edge to edge.  That left a big hole towards the back where there was no table.  I went to the lumber yard and asked for some 'throw away' pieces.  They had some particle boards that they sold to me for $2 and even cut them to fit.  I cut one the length of the table plus the empty space at the back.  The second piece I cut to fit the second table. 

I made a fitted covering complete with ruffle. 

It was so easy and didn't take all day to complete.  It has been so much better. Even still, I can't wait for the day when I can design a house that actually meets our needs, all of them, even the small ones.