How We Use Space
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
Back in a former life, I worked for a company that used cultural anthropology to do marketing and product development research. It was a cool job and I learned a lot about observation and understanding human nature.
The tools I learned while working at that job really came in handy when it was time to put an addition on our house. We worked with an architect who had a great understanding of how people use space (not just how to make things pretty) - and we thought a lot about how we use our space and how we wanted to be able to use it.
The end result was a small addition that feels much bigger because we designed something that exactly fit our needs.
What I like about these pictures is that I can really see how the space would and could be used. They're all strong examples of how function and form can work together:
The tools I learned while working at that job really came in handy when it was time to put an addition on our house. We worked with an architect who had a great understanding of how people use space (not just how to make things pretty) - and we thought a lot about how we use our space and how we wanted to be able to use it.
The end result was a small addition that feels much bigger because we designed something that exactly fit our needs.
What I like about these pictures is that I can really see how the space would and could be used. They're all strong examples of how function and form can work together:
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I like the flexibility this bench seat adds to the dining room. It makes a small space more usable than it would be and it also makes it easy to remove the dining table to turn the space into a cocktail party space that already has some seating.
by Ilija Mirceski
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When we redesigned our kitchen, our architect suggested a long, narrow island right in the middle of the space. "It's like an Irish bar," she said, envisioning all of our friends standing around the island, talking, just like in a pub. And that's exactly what happened. That island has made our kitchen party central.
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| We opted against a sink in the island - because we knew we wanted it to be party space, not prep space. However, if you envision using your island more for actual work vs. play, a sink is a smart addition. |
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by Axis Mundi
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| After years of sharing one tiny sink, my husband and I made double-sinks a must-have in our new master bath. As a result, I've shifted my hair-drying "station" from the bedroom into the bathroom, opening up new space in the bedroom. |
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We do not have a bathtub in our master bath - only a shower stall. This decision was made after a frank and honest discussion of how frequently we'd really use a bathtub (never). We have one in another part of the house, so if we're in a bind (or need to bathe a kid) we're in good shape.
My one shower stall regret, though, is that we didn't build in a shelf or bench. I wish I'd thought through what I need when I'm in the shower - because let me tell you, leg-shaving is not that easy without a bench for balance.
My one shower stall regret, though, is that we didn't build in a shelf or bench. I wish I'd thought through what I need when I'm in the shower - because let me tell you, leg-shaving is not that easy without a bench for balance.
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Those first few steps in the door are crucial ones, design-wise. Just inside the main door is a great spot to create a really useful, organized storage space.
Or - like me - you might end up with a counter-full of jumbled wires, keys, and cell phones, and a floor full of kicked-off shoes.
Or - like me - you might end up with a counter-full of jumbled wires, keys, and cell phones, and a floor full of kicked-off shoes.
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This is so simple, but it's important: beds should have lamps and nightstands on both sides. In our old house, I didn't have a bedside lamp. Inconvenient, since I'm the one who likes to read before bed. Fortunately, that was an easy and quick fix.
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This is a pretty perfect example of how zones can work.
| To open or close - that is a big question in home design. At our house, we opted for a kitchen/dining combination space because we tend to entertain more informally. I like it and I think it's right for us. However, having lived with this space, I really appreciate the charm of an old-fashioned separate, formal dining room (you can't see the dirty dishes in the sink after a nice meal). |
Ideabook published on June 11, 2010.
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Here is another way of using a one foot deep window recess. It's really interesting to see how a little nook gives more volume to a room and adds visual interest. As for having a separate formal dining room, it has always been a requisite when we purchased a house . To open the space, though, in our present home, I had the wall between the dining room and the hallway pulled down, as well as the wall to the living room . That made a big difference!
Lanny Danenberg
I also want a family room where we can set up three large ergonomic computer desks, for family surfing and video games. Too many family rooms have no wall space - it's all window glare or fireplace or open to other rooms. That would force the computers into the bedrooms and eliminate family sharing of videos, not to mention computer oversight.
Kids will follow the computer/tv, but there is this myth that a gorgeous backsplash will attract them to the kitchen to watch the cooking. It does sell kitchens, but in reality kids grow out of that pretty quickly. Unless you feed them treats nonstop, which is its own issue.
Design family space for family activities beyond eating.