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Comfort of your home matters more than
size
A question I get asked frequently is “how can
I make my home look larger?” This quest leads
people to line all the furniture up against the walls
and paint the walls white. Their fear of a “small”
room keeps them from using gorgeous color and inhibits
their creativity when it comes to furniture arranging.
The desire for a large home is prevalent, as evidenced
by the model homes I visit in new developments. While
these homes, with their soaring ceilings and enormous
master bathrooms, can be impressive, they do not always
feel welcoming. I suspect that what most people really
want is a home that is comfortable and nurturing, not
necessarily large. Most of us live in modestly sized
homes. Even after my remodel, my home will be only about
2000 square feet. The idea, then, is to create a home
that works well for the family that lives there, regardless
of the square footage.
A design book I’ve read recently and highly recommend
is The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka. At a time
when newly built homes boast well over 3000 square feet,
this book celebrates the smaller home. Susanka’s
premise is that quality of the space should take precedence
over the quantity of space. She writes that: “More
rooms, bigger spaces, and vaulted ceilings do not necessarily
give us what we need in a home.” Rather, she stresses
that a home should reflect the personalities and lifestyle
of the people who live there. She encourages homeowners
to be thoughtful in their design, emphasizing comfort,
aesthetics, and high-quality materials.
For example, a friend of mine just completed a major
remodel of her home. While she did add square footage,
it was designed with the specific needs of her family
in mind. Her original home had a family room and living
room, with a tiny kitchen and separate dining room.
However, after analyzing how she and her family really
use the space, her newly remodeled home was designed
with one large great room, consisting of a spacious
family kitchen with a breakfast bar for her four kids,
a living space for the family to be together playing
games, doing homework or watching TV, and a comfortable
dining area that can accommodate extra dinner guests.
What used to be the separate family room is now a home
office for her husband. The point is to use the space
you have efficiently, designing it to fit your lifestyle,
so that each space in your house is used every day.
When a home is too big, more than just space is wasted.
Think of the time, energy and money that is wasted on
heating, cleaning and furnishing unused rooms. Your
time and money would be better spent tailoring your
home to suit your needs, adding those features and amenities
that can improve your quality of life. For some, those
features might include a customized built-in computer
desk or closet organizers. For others it might be improved
lighting, or radiant heat. To borrow a line from Sarah
Susanka, build for comfort, not for prestige.
This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper
Group papers on Dec. 25, 2004.
Go
back to the list of decorating columns.
All articles copyright 2003-2008 Anna
Jacoby.
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