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NH Home Makeovers - Making Use of Wasted Space

By
Home Stager with Sharon Tara Transformations

NH Home Makeovers

Making Use of Wasted Space

 

Sometimes all it takes to gain space in your home is a little organization.   Most homeowners have an area they use as a catch-all.  

The way to start your NH home makeover is by getting rid of the things you no longer need, and then assign a place for everything you are keeping.  Fresh paint and some reorganization transformed this laundry room into a craft room.

before and after NH home staging

 

 Rooms can end up feeling much smaller than they are because "stuff" has taken over.   Simply removing all the small pieces of furniture and accumulated dust collectors made this dining area feel much larger.  This NH home makeover created more room for entertaining! 

before and after NH home staging

 

Defining space and function will immediately increase usable space.  In the picture below, what could be valuable square footage has become an undefined combination of family room, play room, guest room.  The homeowner said the space was primarily being used for the kids to play and as an occasional guest room.  What a huge waste of potential living space!

before NH Home Staging

Since the area had three "sections", I made the largest section into a much needed family room and the smallest section became the new play area.  The remaining section was turned into a guest room.  With each area clearly defined the homeowners gained valuable square footage.

After NH home staging

 

When space is limited, make the most of it.  This closet, in a very old home, has very little to offer in space.  It's not deep enough for clothes hangers.  The previous owners had hooks across the back.  I can only imagine how that was working for them.

We removed the hooks and added shelves, greatly increasing the usable space. 

 increasing closet space

table for small space

 

 

 

Here's a great idea my Uncle Jim came up with for adding a table to a very small space in his living room.

He simply added two legs to a shelf and mounted it to the wall.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any ideas or organizational tips to share for making the most of small areas or for reclaiming wasted space? 

Comments(22)

Mark Horan
Resident Team Realty, LLC & Toni's Property Management LLC - Saint Cloud, FL
"The Resident Chef" - Resident Team Realty LLC &

Sharon, Great illustration for less is more. The before and after pictures are powerful.

Jun 14, 2013 01:15 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Hi Sharon~ Love those before and after photos! Personally I have to learn to let go of items. It's not necessary to keep EVERYTHING. If doesn't have a place in your home, get rid of it! Donate it. Give it to someone. Sell it! We're having a yard sale next weekend. Can't wait!

Jun 14, 2013 01:53 AM
Joanna Cohlan
Fresh Eyes For Your Home - Chappaqua, NY
Designing, Decorating & Staging Westchester Homes

Hey Sharon, what a dramatic difference in space! Your photos say it all about how a space shrinks when it is filled with lots of stuff.  Donate or have a yard sale!!!

Jun 14, 2013 02:19 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Michael:  Paint color can make a huge difference.  I recommend keeping to just two or three colors throughout the home.  If every room is a different color, it chops the house up, making the rooms appear smaller.

Alexandra:  If all you have is a drawer, and not a whole room, you are doing well!

Mark:  I appreciate it, thank you!

Donna:  Good luck with the yard sale...wish I could be there!

Jun 14, 2013 02:21 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Joanna:   I vote for yard sale...it's surprising how much money you can make!

Jun 14, 2013 02:22 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Sharon,

Thanks for the inspiration. The transformation from overcrowded to clearly defined is well illustrated. Everything now has a place and it shows confidently how to make rooms more functional and pleasing to look at too!

Suggested!!!

Jun 14, 2013 02:46 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Patricia:  Thank you!  I appreciate the Suggest!

Jun 14, 2013 02:51 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I ought to just hire you to come by and clean my house.  Of course my little Slobbitts would just mess it up again.  

Jun 14, 2013 04:07 AM
Susan Kirk
Refreshing Innovations - Silver Spring, MD
Home Staging in MD, VA, DC, ASP

Sharon,  Amazed by your Uncle Jim's idea!  I always find that the area under the bed to be a great potential storage space for decluttering.  My other suggestion for clearing things out is to take pictures of memorable items rather than allowing them to fill up your rooms and closets. Like your space planning in that basement too!  Great job!

Jun 14, 2013 06:37 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Gene:  Slobbitts will do that.  Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em!

Susan:  Thanks for the comment and the suggestions.  Taking pics is a great way to remember something without having to actually keep it!

 

Jun 15, 2013 04:06 AM
Linda Barnett
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana

Great transformations Sharon. I really love that laundry room and what a difference it made - in all the spaces. 

Jun 15, 2013 04:39 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Sharon ~ your photos really tell the story of how important it can be to remove all the excess "stuff" in order to make a home look spacious and organized.  I remember seeing your Uncle Jim's table idea and think it's a great solution to a small space.

Jun 15, 2013 06:11 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Linda:  Thank you!  That laundry room is from a few years ago, and it's still one of my favorite transformations.  It went from a room the homeowner dreaded to one she really enjoyed!

Maureen:  Yes, I've written about Jim's table before.  He's a very creative and talented man!

Jun 15, 2013 09:36 PM
Connie Harvey
Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN
Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Sharon, I love the laundry room. I must have one in my next house!

Jun 16, 2013 06:22 AM
Peg Barcelo
Fluff My House! Home Staging Inc. 250.486.6369 - Summerland, BC
The FlufftasticStager from Summerland, BC

What great transformations Sharon! People don't realize how much stuff they have until they need to sort it. (Believe me I know!) lol

I've seen the hall 'table' actually be a real table that has been cut in half or 3/4 so it will fit. Same look. :)

Jun 16, 2013 11:19 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Connie:  A spacious laundry room that serves another purpose is a wonderful thing.  I wish I had one!

Peg:  I know you are going thru the sorting process now.  I moved a year ago....it's not fun!  It feels great to purge though!

 

Jun 16, 2013 10:38 PM
Dale Baker
Baker Energy Audits and Commercial Properties Inspections - Claremont, NH
New Hampshire Relocation Real Estate Information

Howdy and evening Sharon , folks sure are going to appreciate you for writing and posting this helpful info on Home Makeovers. Each of those sure are mighty fine looking photo shots to go along with this blog post.

Have a good one

Dale in New Hampshire

Jun 17, 2013 08:31 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Dale:  I appreciate that, thank you!  I do hope the information is helpful to sellers and homeowners who want a change!

Jun 17, 2013 11:15 PM
Kevin Vitali
EXIT Realty Beatrice Associates - Middleton, MA
Helping Massachusetts Home Buyers and Home Sellers

Sharon great post.  Thanks for sharing before and after photos.

Jun 19, 2013 02:35 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Kevin:  Pictures help people better understand the difference preparation and presentation can make.  Most people need the visual to get it.

Jun 19, 2013 04:06 AM