Space-Saving Tips

[Robert_Flowers]

Found this on a new site //www.katrinacottages.com been looking for two day still not done yet will post some of there designs too.


Space-Saving Tips

Katrina Cottages are meant to be smaller and smarter. Here are some really clever space-saving tips that will help you get the most out of your Katrina Cottage:


Board Walls

Instead of covering the walls in sheetrock, panel them with tongue-and-groove boards, allowing shelves, hooks, and other items to be attached at any point along the wall.


Pegs

Hang your chairs (and coats) up on pegs on the wall when not in use.


Storage Walls

Leave one wall surface off interior walls, allowing the interior of the walls to be used for open shelving. No cubic inch of space in a Katrina Cottage should be wasted


Murphy Bed

Consider a Murphy Bed instead of a standard bed. Murphy Beds fold down from the wall, then fold up again when not in use.


Doors

Use curtains instead of doors wherever you can; this will make all of the rooms feel larger.


Above-Bed Storage

For beds not located with pillows under windows, consider cabinets or closets over the heads of the beds; because of the mechanics of sitting up in bed, you'll never bump your head if it's high enough.


Kitchen Cabinet Pull-Outs

Make sure that every cubic inch of kitchen base cabinets is filled with pull-outs.


Pull-Out Counters

Use pull-out countertops and chopping blocks when kitchen counter space is at the greatest premium.


Kitchen Shelving

Cover every square inch of kitchen wall not used for cabinets with thin open shelving for spices, soup cans, canned vegetables, etc.


Closets

Use an armoire rather than a closet wherever possible because the armoire walls can be as thin as 3/4", whereas the closet walls are at least 4-1/2" thick.


Roll-Up Clothing

Use thin spaces for clothing that may be rolled up, such as T-shirts. Rolled clothes consume much less space than hanging clothes.


Heating & Cooling

Conceal Katrina Cottage heating & cooling units and water heaters in the ceiling; floor space is much too precious.


Water Heating

If gas is available, or if you can get enough electrical service, use instantaneous water heaters. They use half the energy of normal water heaters because they are tankless; they heat the water as it goes through them. So you not only save a lot of money, but you can also take endless showers because they never run out of hot water. Also, because they have no tank, they are tiny; some are as small as a telephone.


Outdoor Space

Whenever possible, position your Katrina Cottage on your lot to help surround an outdoor courtyard. Outdoor rooms are almost always the least expensive living space you can build.


Bathroom Storage

Use a pedestal lavatory in the bath, but a cabinet over the toilet. The lavatory will take up less space; the space over the toilet is almost never used.


Laundry

Many Katrina Cottages benefit from a laundromat nearby. If you want to wash in the Cottage, consider one of the cool new European units that wash & dry in the same box.


Porches

Make the most of your porch space. This sounds counter-intuitive, but porch space is less expensive than interior space, but usually has a greater enjoyment factor per square foot than anything you can build.


Benches

Never build a bench you can't open, or that you can't slide baskets under from behind. Benches, beds, and booths should all hinge open for storage.


Booths

Booths are much more space-efficient than tables. Because you have to be able to scoot a chair back in order to get out, the absolute minimum dining room width is about ten feet; most prefer eleven feet or more. But the booth in your favorite restaurant is almost certain to be less than six feet wide because you slide into a booth because the seating is fixed. Consider using old church pews for booth seating.


Stairs

Use spiral stairs, stepladders, or alternating tread stairs to get to an upper level where codes allow.  


robert

[Freeholdfarm]

Very good tips!  Thanks!

Kathleen

[lobster]

here's another tip: of course built-in beds save space vs. a separate bed frame, especially if you build them high enough to accommodate storage underneath for out-of-season clothes, etc. packed in large plastic tubs that simply slide out.

the smallest possible bedroom would have the bed along one wall with the head & foot of the bed tucked snugly between two other walls.

but that's nothing new. the tip is to install a piece of clear plexiglass (perspex) on the wall on the head side, as a "headboard." this takes only 1/4" and is nearly invisible, but protects the wall from staining due to daily touching, hair oil, etc. as you sleep.

it's also a good idea to mount plexiglass behind both kitchen and bath sinks, and cook stoves, as a back splash.