Rent to Own.ph Blog

Marcello Zuffo’s Movable Kitchen Design

2013-06-16T18:53:00.004-07:00

Rent to Own.ph: There are more and more ideas on space-saving home devices. Take a look at this adaptable kitchen.

Marcello Zuffo, a senior designer with Motorola’s Consumer Experience Design Group, entered the 2008 Electrolux/Interior Design Magazine competition for innovative kitchen design and took the Grand Prize with this design: an ultramodern kitchen with multiple movable components. As required by the competition, Electrolux ICON appliances are incorporated throughout the space while the overall design can be shifted and manipulated to adapt to whatever task is required of the space. The contemporary aesthetic allows for the user to be creative with what would otherwise be a boring, rectangular kitchen floor plan, and encourages an interesting degree of user interactivity between Zuffo’s design and your day-to-day preferences. In fact, you might as well change up the space every few weeks just to try something different.

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Vila Hermina Small House Design by HSH Architekti

2013-06-09T20:35:00.002-07:00

from: http://www.nhit-shis.org/

Rent to Own.ph: Talk about building on a terrain, this small home made us of the lay of the land and maximized its contour to create a very pleasing home.

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The building is set in the steep terrain on the outskirts Czernin, from which incorporates into its depths the same slope floors. The interior arrangement is based on the alternation of flat and sloping floor, giving the checksum character Worm inside and also define the appearance of the building.

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Windows and openings are distributed with respect to the exterior facade of the building – every wall has only one hole. As insulation, polyurethane insulation is used.

Transformer Furniture: The Ludovico Chest

2013-05-20T02:11:00.000-07:00

from: http://www.furniii.com/

Rent to Own.ph: There are always new ideas on furniture transformers. This one is pretty awesome. It is so simple but it is packed with everything you need for a small office or dining room.

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Ludovico Furniture Set Design by Claudio Sibille is one involving ingenious furniture designs we’ve seen, we desperately would like one. Designed by simply Claudio Sibille, an Uruguayan industrial designer, Ludovico is a miraculously space saver for a small apartment or room. The main goal of this design isn’t to let that will minimum space limit you from maintaining your modern day décor. The main concept of Ludovico furniture set actually mimics a puzzle. You’ll find two chairs placed inside the furniture itself, these are incorporated in away in which fit exactly the actual lines of the furniture itself. The are generally 4 spacious drawers you can employ to keep your clothes, devices, gadgets, books, or anything you would like to hide in plain view and retain things organized. When certainly not in use, it is possible to slide those chairs back inside Ludovico and also give the impression an individual only have modern 6-drawer furniture with minimalist aluminum handles.

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Minimal Design

2013-05-14T16:48:00.001-07:00

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

Rent To Own.ph: Nominated as one of Apartment Therapy's Small Cool Homes in 2013, this condominium has everything in its 31 sq meter area.

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Name: Kin

Location: Hong Kong SAR

Square Feet: 337

Division: International

What I Love About My Small Home:

It's white, clean and minimal -- a minimal design concept providing me the perfect canvas to add my own personal touches time by time. Also, I love the balcony, which gives me a chance to enjoy the view.

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Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space:

The biggest challenge is how to fully make use of the space. This apartment was a 2 bedroom unit before I renovated. I turned it into an open plan layout and created a step back balcony. There's less of a challenge for me as a local Hong Konger, as the space is large compared to others.

Small Remodel, Big Ideas: Tiny Townhouse into Cool Condo

2013-05-05T02:42:00.004-07:00

from: http://dornob.com/ and http://www.archdaily.com/

Rent to Own.ph: A narrow space isn't a useless space. Find out how this small, narrow townhouse in Singapore was converted into a ultra chic, modern condo.

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The exterior facade of this structure speaks to age and dignity with floral decoration, soft white coloration and classic structural proportions.

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The remodeled interior could not be more different: stark whites and blues, ultramodern materials and creative contemporary spaces -including an incredible open outdoor courtyard set right the center of the enclosed floor areas to connect the old original street-front building with an all-new modern backyard addition.

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Dealing with a long and narrow space is difficult in any architectural design project, but far more complex when the designer needs to deal with buildings on both sides that preclude the possibility of letting in interior light from anywhere but above. The drastic solution found in this case by Ong & Ong was to conceptually carve a space from roof to ground right in the center of the property – outside insofar as it has no ceiling, but inside in terms of visibility and interior circulation.

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Kitchen, storage and other support spaces can be accessed only by crossing through a stunning blue-lit courtyard pond with sheer corrugated walls on both sides, a single tree and stepping stones to cross the water – making the trip seem as if it were truly a walk outside and back indoors.

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Ingenious Design Solutions in a Cozy 39 Square Meter Apartment

2013-04-22T01:26:00.004-07:00

from http://freshome.com/

Rent To Own.ph: Simple lines and a monotone color scheme makes this apartment a refreshing retreat in busy Hong Kong.

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Clifton Leung Design Workshop sent us photos and information regarding a practical apartment design the studio completed in Wampoa Garden, Hong Kong, China. The warm lighting and creamy surroundings highlight the overall atmosphere of this small house: simple and peaceful. No colors other than white and beige are chosen for the color scheme to replicate the subtle warm glow in the house, including track lights that are hidden underneath the floating cabinets that evoke a spacious and dreamy ambience. With a design brief to minimize clutter and maximize space, the residence was designed in a minimalist style with clean lines.

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The two major zones of the residence, the dining/ living zone and bedroom zone are well defined by the use of different flooring – sand stone tiles flooring and wood flooring respectively. The two zones are separated by a sliding door, which allows tranquil relaxation at the bedroom zone and enjoyable entertainment at the living/ dining zone at the same time. The owners requested for build in furniture with maximum storage and you can see plenty of ingenious solution throughout the apartment.

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Upscale 48sq meter Mini Loft

2013-04-06T21:54:00.001-07:00

from: http://www.architizer.com

Rent To Own: Clean lines, hidden storage and teak panels five this small apartment a classy ambiance!

Dorsinville Apartment #1
New York City

Located in one of those ubiquitous post war white brick co-op buildings, this one bed room apartment on first site had nothing to recommend it except for its unobstructed view across Chelsea to downtown Manhattan and what was an incredible view of the twin towers. The one bedroom was originally a studio, which had been converted using an absurdly thin wall to divide the bedroom from the living room, and surprisingly divided the panorama window and the HV/AC unit in two.

As with previous projects, we conceived of the design for this apartment as a mini loft, however, this time we wanted to abstract the perception between public and private space. The size of the apartment presented the challenge of obscuring the necessary domestic possessions, its 520 sq ft had to be tailor made for the client with a place for everything and everything in its place. Storage space became the method by which architectural space was defined.

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A strangely long and wide entry foyer, which originally extended from the living room, was redefined as a square volume by white lacquered panels and doors; a narrower passage through to the new living space allowed for deep closets and a home office in the original coat closet.

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The teak cabinet floats over the floor with lighting emanating from beneath. Foldaway doors make it possible to operate and watch the television from both the living room and bedroom side of the room divider.

The ceiling similarly is a continuous conjoining plan floating over the teak room divider where it is washed by up lighting from below.

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The kitchen adjacent to the foyer was extended into a broom closet and refitted with Ashe and stainless steel cabinetry and under counter appliances.

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Upon demolition the bedroom, living room and shower room were combined as one space and this was exactly the concept for the final design. A teak room divider containing storage and electronic equipment became the nexus between the three functional areas. The large south facing window marries the living room and sleeping area but neither has direct visual contact with the other, a single white lacquer windowsill storage cabinet further enhances the perception of unlimited space. An acid etched glass panel slides into the teak cabinet as the door from the living space. Curtained floor to ceiling clear glass divides the sleeping area from the bathroom, so that with the curtain open the view over the city can be enjoyed from inside the shower.

The bed is raised off the floor on a custom Ashe platform, which forms a shelf in an alcove either side of the mattress.

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A new oak floor was introduced and stained dark chocolate creating a continuous plain of color through out the apartment, including the shower room accented with stainless steel and the fixtures are white porcelain.

Efficient Living

2013-03-31T21:22:00.003-07:00

from: http://www.architizer.com

Rent To Own.ph: This is such a beautiful, small space! Only about 55 sq meters, the architect and interior decorator have converted this one bedroom into a classy and elegant area.

A living room, a dining room, a bedroom, a bathroom, a kitchen, laundry closet, mechanical closet, clothes closet, home office, television; in an 600 square feet apartment. And make it spacious and uncluttered. And filled with light. In other words, make the seemingly impossible, reality.

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The first step towards a viable solution was a matter of definition, literally and figuratively, when we dispensed with the notion of rooms in favor of function within the larger context of space. The client’s desired use of the space was key to the design solution. An attorney who alternated between cities, this would be his primary workspace in Washington, therefore he required a fully equipped office space. This any many specific use requirements emerged and incorporated in the design.

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In the living/workspace, built-in cabinetry maximizes the use of the demising wall, supports the functions and provides architectural interest. Furniture is kept to a minimum, color is used architecturally, and large pieces of art were selected to occupy key focal points. This design represents a paradigm shift in which bigger is better. Carefully designed small spaces provide everything needed to live comfortably. This apartment represents key components of sustainability in the context of residential architectural interiors: reduce and reuse.

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Architecturally, the space is subdivided in five zones, each of which has primary and secondary functions. These are:

1. Entry, kitchen, dining

2. Bathroom, laundry, mechanical

3. Living, workspace, storage and library

4. Sleeping

5. Outdoors

Small spaces tend to be claustrophobic and dark; therefore most walls and doors were removed to maximize the amount of natural light in the space. The choice of materials and finishes was kept to a minimum and used throughout. The resulting continuity gives the illusion of larger space. Every element in the space is both functional and architectural. Full height cabinetry enhances the height of the space, which at times slightly higher than the minimum code requirements because of existing ductwork and sprinkler lines.

Clever Kitchen Storage Ideas

2013-03-23T20:58:00.001-07:00

from : http://www.channel4.com

Rent To Own.ph: Our kitchen layouts are simple and basic. Why not stylize and update the kitchen cupboards with these simple and functional design ideas.

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This type of open shelving, placed right behind a kitchen island where all the action will take place, are highly practical because absolutely everything is to hand. Bear in mind that anything on open shelves will, however, need cleaning more regularly than objects shut away in cupboards.

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Floor to ceiling cupboards are a real luxury in a kitchen, particularly in small spaces that lack bags of wall space. If you're going for this type of storage, ensure you're not sacrificing too much worktop space to squeeze them in - a balance is essential.

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Once you install an island unit, you tend to spend the majority of your time at it, whether prepping, cooking or eating. So, why not consider open - or semi-open - units so that all the pots, pans, plates and even food you use the most is handy?

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If your kitchen is open plan with the dining area, why not consider dividing the space with tall, free-standing shelves that can house both cookware and everything you'd need for the table? Ensure the shelves are super-sturdy, especially if you have kids.

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Many of us have got one - a dinner service given to us as a wedding present - that comes out of the cupboard once a year. No one ever sees it, it takes up space and turns out to have been a waste of money. So why not display it on smart open shelves? Even if you don't use it often, it'll look great and give you more space in your base units.

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Kitchen cupboards don't always have well-designed interiors - often the upper half of a compartment is wasted space. So why not build up the usable vertical space with these clever mini shelves on legs.

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Why half hide your clutter behind glazed or reflective unit fronts? In a small space, this can work well because the reflection will add to the feeling of space in the room. If you can light behind the units, too, you'll increase the feeling of depth in the room, again, heightening the feeling of space.

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Possibly the bane of most cooks' lives, pan lids clutter up the bottom of pull out drawers, make cupboards chaotic and the appropriate one always manages to hide itself when you need it. So why not invest in a pan lid housing for within your drawer or cupboard? Most kitchen designers will fit them for you - or you can buy them separately from kitchen shops.

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Make the most of every inch of space with an under shelf basket.

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When you're ordering your kitchen the added extras can make a real difference to its cost. However, many of them are really worth the extra spend. Drawer organisers, for example, will actually help you store more and keep it all neat. If you can't afford them when you order the kitchen, you can always go back to the shop later and get them then.

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If you are a keen cook, you'll need everything to hand, so work on having clever storage ideas put into your kitchen design when you first sit down to plan it. Here, a herb rack has been built in above the work surface, just where it's needed.

Using Cabinet and Closet Doors for Storage

2013-03-17T03:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent To Own.ph: The backs of our closet doors are forgotten opportunities! Check out these simple ideas on how to utilize them and create a wonderfully organized space!

In small spaces, a lot of things go on behind closed doors, but how often do we really think about the doors themselves? While we're all familiar with over-the-door organizers, few of us really consider the the possibilities that the back of the door can offer as an useful area. But in a small space, using the door can give you that extra little bit of room and functionality.

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In the medicine cabinet, small items like makeup, Q-tips, ointments, and nail polish can be stored in small containers like the MagnaPods shown here. (Or if you don't have a metal-door cabinet, consider adhering similar containers, likethese from the Container Store, to the inside of the door.

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In the kitchen cupboard, use the back of the door to keep all your spices close by and well organized. Arranging them like this eliminates unnecessary cabinet rummaging.

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And for a simple (and in my opinion, genius) solution for those who don't want to put holes in the cabinetry, you can use magnetic paint to make spice tins adhere easily.

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The door offers even more space for dry goods, as shown in this well-managed pantry. Or, if you don't need extra space for storage but would like an area for menu planning or for a shopping list, the pantry door offers a perfect location.

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Chalkboard paint can help you make the most of your doors.

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The Family Handyman has help step-by-step instructions for making your own steel-and-whiteboard message board on the inside of a cabinet door.

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It's possible to maximize the space for cleaning supplies if one forgoes a trash can in favor of attaching a garbage bag to the door. Especially in a kitchen, where trash gets smelly quickly and needs to be taken out often, the small size is not prohibitive, and it takes up less under-counter space.

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Over-the-door jewelry and shoe organizers are the most famous of the door storage options, but they certainly aren't to be slighted.

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And if one is feeling particularly creative, with a bit of chicken wire and some S-hooks, the back of the door itself can be converted into jewelry storage.

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I love the idea of inspiration boards, but in my tiny office space, I always feel that they look cluttered. This project, which uses foam-core and fabric, would work wonderfully as an inspiration board surface. I could have all my beautiful decorating pictures at the ready, but when I wanted the space to look tidy, the cabinet could close, and they would all disappear!

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And who doesn't love the multifunctionality of pegboard?

Elegant and Creative Ways to Maximize Space Under Your Stairs

2013-03-10T18:30:00.001-07:00

from: http://freshome.com

Rent To Own.ph: We already featured solutions for maximizing the space under the stairs. Here are more ideas.

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We’ve seen a lot of indoor arrangements where the space under the stairs is completely neglected. This usually happens because the owners fear not to overcrowd the living room or hallway. In this post we would like to present some creative and elegant ways on how to effectively use the space under your stairs without “damaging” your home’s appearance. In fact, we think the ideas below will help improve the overall design of the rooms where they are put to practice. If you are living in a small crib and feel the need for more space, you might consider improvising a bookcase, a home office or an entertaining area. We particularly like the cozy extendable bed in the first photo, which could turn out to be a good solution when receiving guests. An aquarium or a fireplace are two other original methods of making the most out of the area beneath the stairs.

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Design solutions for 11 tricky spaces

2013-03-03T00:32:00.001-08:00

from: http://www.foxnews.com

Rent to Own.ph: Most of our homes have that odd space. We don't quite know how to make the most of it. These examples of tricky space designs show us how to make that space more functional.

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Getting started. As with the beginning of any design project, it helps to look at your space with fresh eyes. Go out, grab a cup of coffee and come back for another look once you feel refreshed. Better yet, bring a design-savvy friend along with you and ask what he or she would do with the space. Sometimes just hearing others' ideas can help get your own creative juices flowing and lead to your best ideas.

If the room is really giving you trouble, I recommend taking every scrap of furniture out and looking at it completely bare. When layers of stuff are clogging up your view, it can be hard to imagine setting up the room in any other way.

Move the stuff, and you may be able to move the mental roadblocks too.

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Tricky space 1: Long, narrow hall

The solution: Think art gallery. Fresh white walls are the classic choice, though textured grasscloth or a coat of rich color would work equally well. Go sleek and simple with all black and white pieces, or create a quirky gallery with eclectic, colorful artwork hung in a line, with some frames left intentionally empty. Finish the space with proper lighting. Try overhead track lighting and/or small wall-mounted lights to illuminate the art.

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Tricky space 2: Small home, long hall

The solution: Rather than let precious space go unused, put your hallway to work by installing floating cabinets and shelves. Floating the storage pieces off the floor keeps the area from feeling too heavy or cluttered. Just be sure to measure carefully, choosing cabinets that are narrow enough to allow ample room to walk by. Make a point of keeping the floors clean and surfaces carefully curated -- clutter will become noticeable quickly in a tight space like this.

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Tricky space 3: Small space, no entryway

The solution: Don't bother trying to squeeze a teensy table behind the door. It will only bug you, and it won't be big enough to hold much. Instead, look for the first available open wall and place a larger desk or storage piece there, letting it do double duty as an entertainment center or workspace.

If there is literally nowhere to put a table, try using a few small, sleek wall-mounted pieces instead. A few hooks for keys, coats and bags and a floating shelf or sorter for mail are all you really need to manage the essentials

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Tricky space 4: Eat-in kitchen with too many doors and openings

The solution: In places where a square or rectangular table would stick out like a sore thumb, go round instead. Curved shapes generally fit better into awkward spaces, softening the hard edges in a room. Try to pull your round table near a wall, even if it's only as small a section of wall as in the room shown here; it looks more natural than placing the table dead-center.

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Tricky space 5: Living room with multiple doors and windows

The solution: If your living room has an element (door, window, fireplace, radiator) that prevents you from placing furniture near the walls, try pulling the arrangement toward the center of the room instead. Use the symmetry of a matching pair of sofas to counteract the chaos of the entries and exits, and add a cozy area rug to anchor the conversation area.

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Tricky space 6: Living room with very little available wall space

The solution: If your living room is driving you nuts, take a look at your dining room instead. Could you make a swap? Multiple windows and doors don't really matter in a dining room, as furniture needs are minimal (table, chairs, maybe a sideboard). And what is more romantic than dinners by the fire?

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Tricky space 7: Tiny studio apartment

The solution: Small-scale furniture and careful planning are key in a tiny space that must serve many purposes. Round tables and furniture with curvy shapes make navigating tight quarters easier, while glass or Lucite tables create more visual space.

Ample storage will make your life much easier, so look for smart designs that sneak in extra space. You could use storage ottomans instead of a coffee table or an antique dresser instead of an entertainment center, or even hide an entire wall of shelving behind attractive curtains on ceiling-mounted rods.

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Tricky space 8: Slanted ceiling the under stairs

The solution: If you can afford to make the investment, custom built-in cabinets, shelving or desk space is a wonderful way to make use of every last square inch. Otherwise, low-profile furniture such as a small daybed (with no headboard or footboard) or chaise can turn an awkward nook into a cozy hideaway.

From long and narrow "railroad car" apartments to teensy studios and rooms that seem to be all doors and windows, every home has its own design challenges. If you've hit a roadblock (where in the world can I put that sofa?) or just feel there must be a better way of arranging your space, read on -- we're covering solutions for 11 of the most common space-planning dilemmas.

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Tricky space 9: Small living room

The solution: It's a bit counterintuitive, but too many itty-bitty pieces can make a room feel cluttered and cramped. Strike a balance by choosing pieces that look substantial but have sleek lines (no rolled arms!). Substituting an upholstered ottoman for the usual coffee table is an easy way to sneak in extra seating, and a pair of petite armchairs can fit in the space of a single overstuffed version. Finally, be sure to place lighting all the way into the back corners of a space -- nothing shrinks a room faster than poor lighting.

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Tricky space 10: Long, narrow room

The solution: When it comes to decorating a long, narrow space, you will want to build in a few breaks in the sight line, which visually divide the space and provide areas for different uses. Rather than push the sofa against the wall, try using a smaller-scale loveseat placed perpendicular to the wall as one of your room breaks. You also can use a low cabinet or table behind the sofa to define the line between two main zones; just be sure that the cabinet is level with, or a few inches shorter than, your sofa.

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Tricky space 11: High ceilings, big open space

The solution: Accent pieces with height (such as the arc lamp featured here) will visually fill the vertical space. Supersize rooms can handle larger-scale furniture, so don't be afraid to go big. A massive dining table made from a natural wood slab with an eye-catching pendant light hung over it would make a dramatic focal point for the room. Create a comfy seating area in another spot by using two facing sofas pulled perpendicular to a wall, and finish the arrangement with a big rug (or even two rugs layered together) to add softness.

Make the Most of Small Spaces

2013-02-17T16:20:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.realsimple.com/

Rent to Own.ph: We always find new advice on decorating small spaces. We feature a lot of them here so that you may find the techniques that work best for you.

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Make any room seem larger with new colors and smart furniture and storage solutions.

Go From Dark to Light

Make a cramped living room feel more spacious by lightening the walls (pictured, Benjamin Moore Lemon Drops). The color's brightness is accentuated by darkening the adjacent entryway.

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Let the Light In

When curtain rods extend beyond the window frames, it allows in more light and draws the eye outward. “Windows are the eyes of the room,” says Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, the author of Apartment Therapy (Bantam, $15,amazon.com. “When you cover them up, you make your place smaller.”

Center the Room

“People in small spaces often try to get the room they want by moving stuff to the edges,” says Gillingham-Ryan. “But it kills warmth.” To enliven the space, he suggested a sociable triangle consisting of a Chris Madden classic sofa, a Room & Board Flynn club chair, and a slipper chair moved from the bedroom. The neutral-colored Ikea Inez rug helps unify the room.

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Get Items Off the Floor

CDs are stored in the Container Store’s Sky Blue library CD boxes.

Create Reflections

A walnut-framed mirror hangs above the dresser to reflect light from the window, making the 9-by-10-foot room feel more spacious. “Mirrors are a tried-and-true way to open up space,” says Susan Zises Green, a New York designer. “They almost always help a small room.” Also, any room with a low ceiling seems loftier if you hang pictures up high. “The most important thing is to draw the eye up and not down,” says Matthew Dennison, coauthor of At Home With Color.

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Put Function First

Create space based on your personal habits. If you never eat in the kitchen, for example, remove the table to make way for more clutter-busting, useful items, like a Pier 1 Imports under-cabinet glass rack, and an Ikea Vurm wine rack.

Create a Triangle of Efficiency

Make sure you can move unencumbered among the three key work areas: sink, stove, and refrigerator. An efficient work area is made by installing an Ikea Värde base cabinet with drawers and a countertop that is 30 inches deep, 10 inches deeper than average.

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Strikingly Clever Layout Making the Most of a 21sqm Swedish Crib

2013-02-10T18:04:00.000-08:00

from: http://freshome.com/

Rent To Own.ph: Minimizing clutter makes a lot of difference. This 21 sq. m. apartment is not only refreshing but it looks spacious as well.

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Provided that the inhabitant is not “burdened” with lots of household belongings, this small, 21 square-meter apartment is just perfect. It is incredible how the designers managed to turn such a small space into an airy and comfortable crib. A wonderful example of Swedish design, the project found on Skeppsholmen is characterized by tastefulness and originality. As you enter, a small hallway divides the bathroom in two functional small interiors. The only room is flooded in natural light from three spectacular windows and features a lovely table for two, an expandable sofa and an extra bed (which means three people can comfortably sleep here!). There is even space for a small cooking area, with storage for tableware and whatnot. No compromises have been made; everything looks great, from the lovely black and white wallpaper to the colorful tiles above the tiny counter-top.

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Small-Space Garden Ideas

2013-02-03T17:32:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.marthastewart.com/

Rent to Own.ph: In line with the garden theme from last week, we are now featuring DIY home gardens that are easy, functional and pleasing to the eye.

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Window Boxes

Feeling left behind by the grow-your-own-food revolution because you live in a gardenless apartment or have a postage-stamp yard? Take heart: Anyone with a sunny windowsill, patio, or balcony can cultivate edibles. In fact, choosing plants that are nourishing, delicious, and beautiful is the ultimate way to maximize limited space, whether you're working with one little window box or several large containers.

When space is limited but enthusiasm isn't, think containers. These window boxes, just two feet long each, are big enough to grow all sorts of herbs, including oregano, basil, chives, and rosemary.

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Patio Garden

Just as in conventional vegetable gardens, sunshine is vital for small-space success. Six to eight hours of bright light daily is best. Buy bags of soilless mix for container growing from a garden center or nursery. The lightweight mixture provides a fast-draining medium that's ideal for growing vegetables. Food crops also need consistent and frequent watering, so be sure to think about the location of your hose or faucet when planning where to plant -- the closer your plants can be to water, the better. And remember: A mini garden is not likely to overflow with produce. But when you serve a just-picked salad from your window box to a friend or make fresh salsa from sun-warmed tomatoes and peppers harvested right outside your door, you'll get the same bragging rights as any proud farmer.

Gardeners who have room for pots can grow a surprising amount of produce by carefully choosing plant varieties and staking where appropriate. Newport Premier window boxes, hooksandlattice.com. Rolled-Rim Lite stackable planters, large; medium; and small.

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Tea Garden in a Box

Gardening editor Stephen Orr likes to give friends this portable garden, which contains the ingredients for tisane, or herbal tea. To make one, plant mint, rose geranium, pineapple sage, and lavender in a wooden wine crate or other container with ample drainage. To get the gift to keep on giving, be sure to tell the recipient to place it in full sun outdoors and to pluck a few sprigs for morning tea or for adding to black tea.

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Garden Pot Basics

As long as it gets adequate sun, a small patio can provide enough room to grow a range of crops without demanding much time or labor. Devote the most planting space to the veggies your family loves best. Keep in mind that large plants such as beans, cucumbers, and tomatoes require large pots (two feet in diameter or more). Smaller pots are perfect for peppers, greens, kale, and herbs, and they look great tucked between larger containers. For season-long interest, combine plants with varied flowering times so that some things will be ripening while others will be ready to harvest. In hot weather, water evaporates quickly from the elevated soil in a container. You may need to irrigate your pots every day if temperatures go above 90 degrees.

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Cluster Theory

Minimal growing space often corresponds to a dearth of off-season storage. Sturdy containers that can be left out year-round, above, are a good solution. These three sizes of these stackable planters in a lightweight, all weather resin accommodate all kinds of veggies. Large plants such as tomatoes will need staking: Bamboo is an attractive, inexpensive option; sturdy metal tomato cages work well, too. By keeping the plants upright and well aerated, you help minimize the possibility of disease while maximizing yield. You also increase available space, allowing an under planting of small plants such as carrots, radishes, or herbs.

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Choose Superproductive Plants

Don't wait all season for a few huge slicing tomatoes. Instead, opt for prolific, early-bearing, and delicious cherry tomatoes, such as 'Sun Gold.'

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Combine Similar Species

An 18-inch pot will hold a wide selection of plants. These fiery habanero and hot lemon chiles and purple-leaved peppers make a colorful mix.

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Look for Dwarf Varieties

Plant breeders are constantly introducing vegetables that take up less space, such as this tiny but tasty dark-green 'Diamant' cucumber.

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Window Box Basics

A two-foot-wide box will easily host four to six large herb plants or a small crop of salad greens. Try to choose plants with a variety of shapes and colors, such as purple basil, tall lemon verbena, and chives, to make the display attractive. Herbs are particularly good choices for urban window boxes, since they can be maintained with just a watering can and a pair of shears. Most herbs require minimal fertilizing. In fact, overfed herbs lose essential oils in their leaves, making them less flavorful.

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Go With a Theme

Window boxes offer numerous design possibilities. Combine your most frequently used herbs, or put together some thematic plantings, such as Asian herbs (including garlic chives, Thai basil, lemongrass, and shiso) and tea herbs (mint, chamomile, lemon balm, and lemon verbena); or Italian herbs (rosemary, basil, oregano, and chives), left. Other good mixes include edible flowers (nasturtiums, borage, calendula, fennel, and violets) and salad greens (lettuce, arugula, and dill).

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Pick Pretty Plants

Variegated herbs, such as this two-tone mint, make a strong visual impression (without sacrificing flavor or productivity) when mixed with solid-color plants.

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Add Edible Flowers

Sowing a few extra seeds of easy-to-grow nasturtium and borage into any herb or vegetable planting adds a welcome touch of color to pots and to salads.

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Keep Your Greens Fresh

Harvest salad greens lightly once a week to encourage growth; when the plants become exhausted, remove them and plant seeds for a new crop.

Stefano Boeri’s Urban Vertical Forest

2013-01-27T18:09:00.001-08:00

from: http://freshome.com

Rent To Own.ph: We already see plant billboards along EDSA and vertical gardens on the walls of underpasses here in Metro Manila but this design structure takes it one step further. Forest buildings might just be going up in the near future.

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Milan-based architecture studio Stefano Boeri‘s Vertical Forest is a residential building duo named Bosco Verticale that can be seen in construction in the metropolitan center of Milan, Italy. This exciting green residential project was meant for growing forests in the sky and allowing residents and neighbors to enjoy fresh outdoor air. Bosco Verticale adds green space in an over-industrialized busy city, challenging future metropolis to offer its inhabitants a safe, healthy environment. Biodiversity in urban spaces will not be a problem once more projects like this will appear in the urban landscape.

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A budget of 65.000.000,00 Euros allowed the architects to build on a surface of 40,000 square meters. Each of the four sides of the 76-meter building will house 900 mature trees. Tree-planted balconies in a vertical garden tower will become available with the construction of this building and I can’t wait to see how the trees hold in the winds. Large concrete balconies will act as planting boxes that will ensure a dense forestation. Vegetation ranging from 3, 6 and 9 meters tall will adorn the balconies. The same amount of trees, shrubs and plants in a garden would require 50,000 square meters of land, and 10,000 square meters of natural forest space. With an irrigation system and flora while photovoltaic energy systems contributing to self-sufficiency, Bosco Verticale would be a candidate for the best Zombie apocalypse fortress.

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Top 6 Gadgets for the Home to Help You Go Green in 2013

2013-01-20T17:44:00.001-08:00

from: http://inhabitat.com/

Rent to Own.ph: We've always been an advocate for the environment. Today we feature gadgets that make your homes more energy efficient. Read on:

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16.8-Watt Voltaic Solar Charger Kit

Many people would love to install a complete photovoltaic system to power their home, but they either lack the space or money to do so. One much less space-intensive—and inexpensive—alternative is the 16.8-Watt Solar Charger Kit from Voltaic. This handy system features a V60 battery that is able to charge everything from laptops to tablets to cameras to several cell phones at once, and its portable and lightweight design makes it easy to move around to wherever you need power. Moreover, if any of the recent natural disasters have taught us anything, it’s that we can’t rely on the local grid in emergencies. Provide you and your loved ones with a little extra peace of mind by ensuring that you’ll always be powered up and connected.

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Maestro Occupancy/Vacancy Sensing Switch

We’re all guilty of it, forgetting to turn off lights. If this is you, or someone you know (like your kids), consider employing Lutron‘s Maestro Occupancy/Vacancy Sensing Switch (fun fact: they are the inventors of the dimmer switch!). The handy gadget adds convenience and energy savings to any room in your home by automatically turning lights on when you enter the room and off after a period of inactivity. Using a proprietary sensing technology to ensure lights stay on when the room is occupied, the sensor features ambient light detection that can sense natural light in a room, turning lights on only when needed — perfect for laundry rooms, garages, kid’s bathrooms and closets.

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Maestro C.L Dimmer

Cut energy usage and create some ambiance in the bedroom, family room or kitchen with the Maestro C.L Dimmer for Lutron. This sustainable, award-winning design is geared for use with incandescent and halogen bulbs, as well as dimmable CFLs and dimmable LEDs. This dimmer offers customizable delayed fade-to-off, which lets you leave a room before the lights go out. And we’ve said it once and we’ll say it again: switching out incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy efficient ones have the potential to cut your energy bill by hundreds of dollars. Pair the Maestro C.L Dimmer with a dimmable CFL or dimmable LED for optimal energy saving — plus you won’t have to worry about them going kaput when you need them the most; the average CFL lasts up to 10 years, and LEDs up to 25 years!

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Honeywell Wifi Programmable Thermostat

The average American household spends more than $2,200 annually on energy bills, and nearly half of that amount is part due to to heating and cooling. One of the easiest ways to dramatically cut down on this number is to install a programmable thermostat. Not only are they inexpensive (some cost as little as $25), but unlike their predecessors, they’re are intuitive, easy to use, and ever-programmable to meet changing needs and erratic schedules. Once installed they can save you about $180 a year — not to mention alleviate some serious discomfort in your home.

Here at Inhabitat, we’re huge fans of programmable thermostats and Honeywell’s wifi-enabled version really speaks to our gadget- and internet-loving hearts. One of the coolest features this thermostat offers is the ability to adjust the temperature of your home remotely using a smart device like a phone or iPad. You won’t have to worry about if you remembered to turn off the heat after leaving for work, or coming home to a frigid house. Watch our video featuring Inhabitat editor Yuka Yoneda to learn more about these programmable thermostats.

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Serena Remote Controlled Honeycomb Shades

While ample windows are a great way to bring natural light into a living space, they also are the cause of heat loss during the winter and heat build-up during the summer. Pair these two elements together and you’ll often find yourself needing to pump up the heat or cooling to keep your home comfortable. While many don’t think of blinds as anything more that a way to block out the sun, the reality is that an efficient set of shades has the power to cut your energy bill all year long. Honeycomb shades are your best bet when it comes to optimizing efficiency and Serena remote controlled honeycomb shades from Lutron are a great solution. These shades are made of fabric that have air pockets that trap heat during the winter and shut out solar radiation in the summer, providing for superior insulation while still allowing natural light to permeate. They’re also totally wireless using D-sized batteries and remote controlled, so you don’t have to worry about cord tangles or your kids and pets tugging on the strings. As an extra bonus, they are completely DIY and can be installed in about 15 minutes, not to mention perfect for creating privacy and covering hard-to-reach windows. A variety of styles and textures make them adaptable to all types of interiors.

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Efergy Shower Timer and Alarm

The average person will use anywhere between 5 to 8 gallons of water per minute while showering, and taking shorter showers is one way simple to cut down on excess water and energy use. But if you’re someone who finds themselves transported to another world when the H2O starts to flow, don’t fret, there’s still hope for you to meet your water-saving targets. The Efergy Shower Timer and Alarm is a clever little gadget that is able to monitor the amount of water going doing the drain as you lather up. Quickly and easily calibrate it to your shower, set your own target, and then hang it on your showerhead or affix it to the wall using the suction cap. Turn on the timer every time you start your shower and follow the progress on the visual display. The alarm will sound when you have met your target volume of water, letting you know that it’s time to go dry off. The smart device will help you learn how to cut down on time with each shower.

Store it Smart: Storage Solutions from Real Kids' Rooms

2013-01-13T17:00:00.001-08:00

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent to Own.ph: These are real kids' rooms and they show some ingenious storage solutions to your children's seemingly unending stash of knickknacks, toys and things.

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• Hanging "Wardrobe"

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• Stylish wallpaper-backed storage

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• Storage bookcase doubles as divider

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• Wall mounted bins

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• Rolling storage

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• A shelving unit becomes a closet

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• Storage combines with seating

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• Colorful storage bins become room decor

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• Utilizing under the bed for storage

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• A dresser in the closet

Shoe Storage Solutions

2013-01-06T17:03:00.001-08:00

from: http://eighthundredsqft.blogspot.com/ and http://www.pinkchocolatebreak.com/

Rent To Own.ph: Small spaces can be problematic if you have a big shoe collection. But with a simple design trick, having tons and tons of shoes might not be a problem after all!

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Use an old armoire or cabinet for storing your shoes. A glass-paned cabinet not only displays the shoes you may pick to wear for the day, it also tidies up your hall space from shoe cliutter.

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A pull-out shoe cabinet attached to your closet takes care of your shoes, preserving them for longer use.

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Stacked shoe boxes with photos of the shoes inside is a cheaper and smart solution for shoe storage.

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Hanging drapes over a shoe closet softens the room and eliminates swing out doors that take up space.

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If you have a small hallway, why not put shoe shelves?

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Put shoes up on the wall like this in an open plan closet.

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Imitate art and put your shoes in this design element. Make sure your shoes are clean enough for displaying though!

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An old wooden ladder is given a new purpose.

Cleverly-Designed Walk-in-Closet Showcasing Practicability and Style

2013-01-01T15:32:00.004-08:00

from: http://freshome.com/

Rent to Own.ph: Happy New Year everyone! With the start of a new year, we are more committed in bringing you clever design ideas for your homes. We hope that you all continue to be inspired by the articles we will be featuring this year .

To start off, we found this wardrobe designed for spaces with no built in closets. Have a look!

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If there is anything some women want more than clothes and shoes, it is plenty of space for storing these precious items. We ran across this very well organized walk-in-closet designed by Hosun Ching and are certain most of you ladies out there will enjoy it. This pretty and very practical furniture piece discovered on Flodeau opens up into a mini-fitting room (complete with mirrors !) and then closes back into an elegant compact locker.

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The designer explained that “the depth of a standard wardrobe is 60cm. That is simply not practical, because it means that you literally lose sight of your clothing; and what you don’t see, you don’t wear. Walk-In Closet is a smart storage unit designed to solve this problem. The focus is on organization and visibility. There are drawers for accessories and the reduced depth does away with those hidden stacks“. We have to say we are impressed by its features-how does it look from your end?

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Space-Saving Tricks for Small Kitchens

2012-12-16T16:40:00.004-08:00

from: http://www.housebeautiful.com

Rent to Own.ph: These are simple style techiniques to lliven up a cozy kitchen.

A well-designed kitchen has minimal clutter and maximum efficiency. Whether you're redecorating or totally remodeling, here are the best ideas for small spaces.

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Mirrors Work Magic

A mirrored backsplash in this shabby-chic Manhattan apartmentgives the illusion of more space. "The kitchen opens up to the living room on one side and the family room, where we eat and watch TV, on the other," says designer Faye Cone. "The idea was that it should be an extension of both these spaces."

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Think Upward

Home Depot designer Emily O'Keefe added cabinetry with period charm to this small kitchen. "Since space was tight, I went up, stacking the cabinets," she says. "The ceilings are 11 feet high, but not every cabinet touches the ceiling — that way they look more like furniture."

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Choose Chairs Without Arms

Designer Suzanne Kasler reinvents theeat-in kitchen by mixing formal Louis XV-style dining chairs with a 19th-century French farm table. Chairs without arms are easier to get in and out of when space is tight.

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Contain Kitchen Clutter with Trays

"Baskets and trays are very homey and useful, not just for carrying things but also to organize collections," says designer Patrick Wade about his 60 square-foot kitchen. Light wood and light walls also make it feel more spacious. Rattan tray and chargers from Williams-Sonoma Home.

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Consider a Spice-Rack Cabinet

If you're renovating your kitchen, a slim spice rack takes advantage of unused space and neatly solves the problem of organizing spices. Annie Selke had this one built into the ranch-house kitchen she updated.

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Match Seating to Wall Color

A trio of backless stools can be slipped under the counter to save space, as in this tight Alabama kitchen, designed by Susan Ferrier. Their cream color blends in with the island, unifying the room. "You don't want the eye to stutter in a small space," she says.

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Try Open Shelving

Open shelving and no upper cabinets help this Hamptons cottage kitchen, designed by Leslie Klotz, look larger than it is. Viking range and hood.

Simple Ways To Organize Your Closets

2012-12-09T15:33:00.001-08:00

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/

Rent To Own.ph: Just because they are behind closed doors doesn't mean we don't need to make what are inside our closets neat and orderly. Here are simple solutions to make your bedroom closets pleasing to the eye.

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Okay, so we're a little obsessed with organizing. And we love closets. So we thought we'd channel our obsession into something helpful: a list of ways to organize your bedroom closet.

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Declutter. Use Discardian's Closet Trick (It's accepted wisdom that with very few exceptions, it's likely that clothing that you haven't worn in six months is clothing you will not wear again. It could be donated and used by someone who needs it.) to get rid of clothes you don't wear.

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Store your most-used items in plain sight, less-used items below, and least-used items up high.

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Use coordinated hangers for a clean look that will care for your clothes and help you stay organized.

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Use an umbrella stand to hold odd items like a yoga mats.

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Use boxes, cubbies, shelves, or a hanging organizer to sort shoes. (I personally prefer to use stackable shoe boxes which has a photo of the shoes inside.)

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Keep folded clothes or accessories neat with shelf dividers.

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Use vertical space (both above and below the closet rod) to store more.

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Add lights in your closet between the door and the storage area.

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If you live in a small space, replace traditional closet doors that swing out with curtains or hanging screens.

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Use stackable laundry baskets that you can easily carry to the washing machine.

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Hooks can create extra storage space when you hang them inside the closet.

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Keep your closet in shape by treating it like a small room. Pay attention to lighting, wall color, and floor coverings.

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Make more room in your closet by storing out-of-season clothes in boxes up high or under the bed.

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Color coding your wardrobe can make finding things easier (although it would be tough to pull out anything from these stacks of sweaters).

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Invest in your closet by using good-looking storage solutions.

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A rolling cart with coordinated boxes can be pulled in or out of the closet and used for clothing or office supply storage.

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Use suitcases to store out-of-season linens, blankets, or sweaters.

Savvy Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

2012-12-02T18:39:00.000-08:00

from: http://www.bhg.com

Rent To Own.ph: Most of our homes have odd or small areas that we think are a waste of space. More often than not, these spaces are neglected and underutilized. Create functionality where there is none! Read these design tips from the experts.

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Double-Duty Kitchen Island

Find additional storage space without adding square footage by adding shelves to existing fixtures. In this kitchen, recessed shelves add clever storage to the kitchen island. Smaller cubbies store wine bottles and larger shelves store electronics, such as the telephone and stereo. Now the island is both a convenient workspace and a storage powerhouse.

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Storage Space Under the Stairs

The space under the stairs is often wasted but here a butler's pantry adds function to this underutilized area. The small space is perfect for storing rarely used serving pieces or special-occasion dishware. Another nook near the base of the stairs houses the recycling center. Roll-out bins keep recyclables separate and out of sight.

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Pots and Pans Storage

Pots and pans are kitchen essentials, but their varying shapes make them difficult to store. Rather than filling kitchen cabinets with these cumbersome items, hang them close to the ceiling. Here, a ledge above the windows holds large platters while a bar with hooks holds hanging pots and pans.

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Lovely Ledge

Small bathrooms make it difficult to store all of your bath supplies, but with a little creative planning you can find a way to make the space work. Here, a shallow marble ledge and vanity and a wall-mount faucet make the most of this tight space. Extending the ledge along the wall gives users a place to store toiletries while getting ready, which is often the biggest challenge in a small bathroom.

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Stock Up on Stock Cabinets

Make use of the space between the bathtub and ceiling by adding storage options. Here, stock cabinets and cubbies stack up to create an interesting stairstep configuration that allows the space to be used for both storage and display. Use the open cubbies for storing towels for easy access.

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To-the-Ceiling Storage

Running out of storage space in a small bathroom? Add a to-the-ceiling cabinet to provide storage and emphasize the room's height. This solution will also keep bathroom counters clear by providing a space for supplies. Shelves also make this above-counter cabinet a good spot for display. Fill them with decorative towels, soaps, and jars that are both functional and pretty.

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Open-Closet Solution

Utilize space below a window by adding a shelf and a hanging bar. This small area is just tall enough to hang folded pants. Use the shelf to hold a charging station or small lamp to light the space. This is a good solution in a room such as an attic space that lacks traditional closets and requires open storage.

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Kid's Room Savers

Maximize storage in a kid's bedroom by using every space available. Here, shallow shelves add plenty of storage to the small wall space around the windows. A window seat provides a cozy reading spot; adding cubbies below increases the room's storage potential. Fill the cubbies with bins to create a colorful and tidy corral for toys.

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Small-Space Laundry Center

Squeezing a washing machine and dryer into any available space is a common occurrence in many homes, but what about the rest of the laundry room supplies? Add fold-out drying racks to a wall to save space while still getting all the function required of a laundry center.

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Entryway Solution

Make the most of an entry way by adding functional storage. A few hooks and a cabinet-turned-bench do wonders for the area behind a door. Add a cushion to the top of the cabinet to create a bench that provides a convenient seat for putting on boots. Add baskets underneath to store shoes, pet supplies, and mail.

The Space Between: A Microhome in Tokyo

2012-11-25T16:40:00.000-08:00

From: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent To Own: Amazing and Livable!

When writer Etgar Keret built his 4-foot-wide home in Poland, we debated the practicality of living in such a tight space. He's not the only one willing to try it — Japanese firm ondesign just built their own version of a skinny home in Tokyo. The results are airier and sunnier than you might expect…

The home's interior belies its narrow footprint — elegant glass walls, wood staircases, and clever architectural details combine to create an almost delicate-looking space. Designed by Osamu Nishida and Naoko Mangyoku, the house fits into a 300-square-foot bit of land in the Bunkyo-Ku ward of Tokyo. From the street, it looks a little bit modern and a little bit like an art project. What do you think? Could this be a new way to live? Would you be willing to try it?

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Multipurpose And Convertible Furniture

2012-11-18T17:57:00.002-08:00

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Rent To Own: These are clever furniture ideas that combines functionas in small homes!

When living in a small space, it's helpful to make every piece of furniture pull double duty.

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Resource Furniture's Goliath Table converts from a 17" deep console to and a 115" long dining table when you need it.

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I think the combination mirror/ironing board is so clever in a why-didn't-I-think-of-that kind of way!

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A handsome wood shelf that also works as a bike holder - what is not to love?

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A dining table can eat up a lot of real estate in a small apartment. So can a coffee table for that matter. This convertible coffee table from Dwell is two tables in one. Coffee table by day, dining table by evening.