Headline: ACTIVATE USELESS OR QUIRKY SPACES INTO FUNCTIONAL SPACES

2618 Non Addition Addition

Creating Spaces tm By Marcia Lyon

I believe that when concepts of most houses or remodelings are created, there is little thought given to the people that will live in these structures. It’s all about 2 X 4’s and siding. Needless to say, that is NOT my approach. I think about the process of laundry, making and serving of food, and what the people will see as they pass through the house. I make sure that every area has a functional purpose and that enough natural light enters the home.

PROBLEM

The layout of this ranch home didn’t make sense to me and my job was to make sense out of it.

With no garage, the side of the house was paved for a parking place. Both the front door (A) and back door (B) were accessed off this driveway. The front door leads into a nicely sized living room (C), with a view of the dining room (D), and the kitchen (E) which was open to it. Also, off the living room (C) there was a long hall (F) with access to two bedrooms (G) and the only bathroom (H). On the other side of the hall were doors to the stairways (I) to the attic and the basement. Beyond that was the “nothing room” (J) which also was the wide-open junk room. This space had the only coat closet (K)?

By the back door (B) is the family entry (L) was a space with no amenities relating to people coming and going with stuff in their hands.

The laundry closet (N) was in an unfortunate place because when laundry was being sorted and processed, it blocked the way from the family entry (L) to the kitchen (E).

The family room (M) seemed like an afterthought to me.

SOLUTION

The family entry (L) got a reason to live with the addition of a “To Go” shelf with a place for shoes beneath it on the opposite side we added hooks and used the space under the new stair landing (O) for pull-out bins. A real, spacious coat closet (P) was added nearby. Where the laundry (N) had been turned into a great closet style pantry (Q). Adjacent to that is a wall hung shelf (R) for the family’s activity calendar and notes.

The laundry (S) was located in the bedroom hallway (F) and has additional storage for cleaning equipment and detergent, etc.

The stairway (I) was moved to where it made more sense (I), consuming some of the “nothing room “ (J).

Now, the kitchen (E) could be straightened out for a more simple layout. Privacy was added by way of two pocket doors (T) that were soji style to let light through.

Marcia Lyon is a professional residential remodeling designer and freelance writer, producing projects locally and several other areas across the US and in Canada. Reach Marcia at 515-991-1300 or email at archimeatus@gmail.com Her website is www.creatingspacesdesign.com Her Substack column is available at MarciaLyon.Substack.com