Modern home buyers are a special kind. They seek spectacular homes with attractive presentations, and, at the same time, require efficient floor plans with plenty of storage space. It’s not just granite counter tops, or large, luxury master suites they need… but also room to stow their stuff.
“At the top of buyers’ lists is always storage. The more you can provide the more value you add onto your home price,” associate architect, Ronique Gibson, told the International Business Times recently.
So it is good to know—when renovating or building—the application of storage space will increase ease of living and bolster property values.
Before exploring the avenues of how to enable a home with more storage, it’s worth referencing a time in American history when storage solutions reached a pinnacle in resourcefulness, and also in creativity: the arts and crafts movement.
With the emergence of automobiles came sprawl to the suburbs; neighborhoods with smaller lots were born, one stacked next to the other. It was now a goal to build smaller, tastefully efficient homes. The call had arrived for built-in furnishings. This included window seats and benches, desks and cabinets, bookshelves, and a bit of everything else—there were even telephone nooks in hallways and drawers in kitchens that opened up to become built-in ironing boards.
Times have changed, and so have homeowners’ needs. Though now sizeable laundry rooms exist and built-in ironing boards are no longer a kitchen standard, the early twentieth century was a period filled with brilliant ideas. These examples of traditional craftsmanship can still be found in many older homes today.
A bench seat will improve a home in three ways by adding: internal storage space, a place to lounge, and improved architectural appeal. The addition can be simple and affordable; one can purchase a freestanding seat from a furniture store or can install a custom seat to fit an alcove.
Bench storage is usually accessed through the means of lift-up seats, drawers, doors or open shelves. The bench seat can be placed anywhere—an entryway to store shoes and other outdoor gear, or under a set of windows to double as a window seat.
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“At the top of buyers’ lists is always storage. The more you can provide the more value you add onto your home price,” associate architect, Ronique Gibson, told the International Business Times recently.
So it is good to know—when renovating or building—the application of storage space will increase ease of living and bolster property values.
Before exploring the avenues of how to enable a home with more storage, it’s worth referencing a time in American history when storage solutions reached a pinnacle in resourcefulness, and also in creativity: the arts and crafts movement.
Built-intelligence
Early twentieth century architects and builders who adhered to the principles of the arts and crafts movement had effective storage down to a tee. The use of built-ins had grown into a friendly fad. They were useful for the times, and also an ode to true craftsmanship.With the emergence of automobiles came sprawl to the suburbs; neighborhoods with smaller lots were born, one stacked next to the other. It was now a goal to build smaller, tastefully efficient homes. The call had arrived for built-in furnishings. This included window seats and benches, desks and cabinets, bookshelves, and a bit of everything else—there were even telephone nooks in hallways and drawers in kitchens that opened up to become built-in ironing boards.
Times have changed, and so have homeowners’ needs. Though now sizeable laundry rooms exist and built-in ironing boards are no longer a kitchen standard, the early twentieth century was a period filled with brilliant ideas. These examples of traditional craftsmanship can still be found in many older homes today.
Old Home Living, Modern Needs
Over the years family needs have shifted, and so have preferences in housing layouts and spatial requirements. Today, most people who purchase old homes do so because they are awed by a home’s character, not because they like the size of its bedrooms or kitchen. There is often a tradeoff, utility for character. The following suggestions on how to add storage to a home can work with old homes and new homes alike.How to Enrich Your Space
“When choosing how to upgrade your home, storage is one of the easiest and often overlooked suggestions.” –Associate Architect, Ronique GibsonA bench seat will improve a home in three ways by adding: internal storage space, a place to lounge, and improved architectural appeal. The addition can be simple and affordable; one can purchase a freestanding seat from a furniture store or can install a custom seat to fit an alcove.
Bench storage is usually accessed through the means of lift-up seats, drawers, doors or open shelves. The bench seat can be placed anywhere—an entryway to store shoes and other outdoor gear, or under a set of windows to double as a window seat.
Continued on the next page...
