Note: If you have a room with a window and a fold up wall bed model is not possible, the Slide Away Bed can be centered right in front of this window without affecting form or function.

 murphy bed hardware  *   wall bed hardware  *  murphy bed mechanism  *  wall bed mechanism

Housing is in a trend right now to smaller more efficient living spaces with a focus on quality materials in smaller homes with multi-use spaces. The drive by the average home owner for large sprawling living spaces seems to have been replaced by the desire to live in smaller, richer environments with rooms that serve more than one purpose. One way to take best advantage of a smaller space is with built in organizers ranging from closet organizers and pantries to murphy beds and tables.

Many modern homeowners use a home office for work or home finances, but need the flexibility to use this space as guest accommodations as well. One great solution to this problem is the modern version of the murphy bed. In a particularly small room, you might even want to opt for a murphy bed that has a fold down table incorporated on the underside.

Smaller homes usually have smaller kitchens which can be a bit of struggle for home owners who enjoy cooking. One option for a smaller home is an open design between the kitchen and dining area with an eating bar in between, opening up the work space nicely. Also consider built in appliances like ovens or range tops. A built-in oven can even be placed at a more easily accessed height partway up the wall, making for less stooping while you cook. Many appliances come in smaller sizes which might also work well in a more moderately sized kitchen.

A more condensed bathroom is often encountered not just in smaller homes but also in many larger homes as well, particularly with secondary or ensuite bathrooms. Unless a bathroom is specifically set aside for guests, they seem to be chronically disorganized due to being so well used by everyone in the house. If there is not much cabinet space in your bathroom, some well placed built-in shelving or cupboards can make a huge difference to the space available for organizing your bathroom. If you can’t build in, try an over toilet shelf to give you that extra space.

All in all, with our current trends to smaller living spaces, we need to be more creative about how we use and organize in our homes. The more that we can creatively use these smaller spaces, the more comfortable we can live in them.

Friday, August 1, 2008

A Home Office or a Guest Bedroom? Why not BOTH?!

There’s one room in your home that doesn’t know what it wants to be when it grows up. Originally, you intended to use it as a home office , so you bought a desk but when relatives came for a visit, you stuck a bed in there as well. Currently the room is being used as a storage room, and now there’s barely enough room to sit down at the computer. With a little bit of creative planning, you will be able to transform it into a functional dual purpose space that will be a welcoming place to work and an inviting room for guests.

Decide first what the room will be mostly used for. If you have a home-based business, or use the computer on a reg ular basis, then choose the home office as the room’s primary purpose. The room’s emphasis will determine the type of furnishings you buy and how they will be arranged.

The most important piece of furniture when planning a home office is the desk . Select the smallest size of desk you will be comfort able with. You might be tempted to choose an impressive looking executive desk , but when decorating for a dual purpose room, you will want to use your available floor space sparingly so that you can fit everything in.

To make the room as warm and inviting as possible when used as a guest room, choose enclosed storage wherever possible. Putting office-related peripherals, such as the printer, fax machine and the CPU behind doors, not only controls clutter but helps to make the atmosphere less business-like.

Bookshelves are an excellent choice when decorating a dual purpose room. Even if they are used mostly for manuals or reference materials, a shelf full of books tends make the room look comfortably lived-in. It is also a great place to display mementos and collectibles. When guests are over, place baskets or storage trays in a section of the bookcase or shelving unit to use for items they would like to keep close at hand.

Of course, your home office/guest bedroom will need someplace for your guests to sleep. There are so many alternatives to choose from but the three main categories are sofa beds, futon sofas and daybeds.

Sofa beds , also called sleeper sofas or hide-a-beds, are sofas with a bed frame and bed built into the unit. As needed, it can be unfolded from inside the couch and then retracted when not being used as a bed. Due to the bed mechanism, sofa beds tend to be heavier than regular sofas of the same size.

Because they can be used as a sofa by day and a bed at night, futons are ideal for dual purpose rooms. Once used to decorate dorm rooms and basement bedrooms, today the futon is a popular choice for the living room, family room, den or guest bedroom. Since the mattress sits directly on top of the futon frame, it tends to be lighter and more user-friendly than a sofa bed.

Daybeds resemble a standard sofa, with a back and two arms. They function as a bed and generally do not transform into a couch. During the day, daybeds can be used as a sofa. Since they are essentially a kind of bed rather than a couch, they utilize bedding linens and accessories such as skirts, throw pillows and comforters, and can look quite decorative. For a dual purpose room where the home office is the primary use, a daybed might not be the ideal choice, especially if you need to meet with clients or business associates.

Filing cabinets come in all shapes, sizes and designs. Select one that is stylish enough to be used as a nightstand or end table. If you will be storing sensitive materials in your home office, choose a lockable filing cabinet.

If there is closet space, consider adding a chest of drawers or a small dresser . When not used by guests, it will be a great place to store extra office supplies such as copier paper, notepads, etc. If there is no closet, consider adding a wardrobe armoire . Should that be out of the question, put hooks on the back of the door so that your guests will have someplace to hang clothes, etc.

These dual purpose room design tips will help you create a space in your home that is an ideal work environment for you, but a comfortable place for guests whenever they come to stay. Posted by Cymax Stores at 4:13 PM Newer Post Older Post Home Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) Subscribe To The Cymax Stores Blog

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Just because you live in a space that is a little bit larger than a walk-in closet doesn’t mean you have to be uncomfortable or unhappy in it. You will need to make some smart furniture purchases, because a couch that works in a suburban McMansion is not going to work in an urban studio apartment.

Picking the right furniture for a small apartment is really just about mindset. While stores like IKEA and Target have good choices for furniture that will work in a dorm room or a studio apartment, you can find suitable furniture for small spaces just about anywhere. You just have to think like a ship’s captain.

Why a ship’s captain? Because the interiors of ships offer the best possible example of good usability and efficient use of space. Anyone who has ever had the good fortune to be on board a large sailboat or even a yacht knows how compact everything is, how much thought goes into how spaces are designed, and how well-built everything is. It becomes very evident that someone put a lot of thought into what was really necessary and then just ignored the things that were not necessary, and made the essentials work.

While you hopefully have more space than a ship’s cabin, thinking with that kind of intention and priority can get you significantly more mileage out of the few square feet that you do have. The first thing to consider is what you want to do when your space. Please don’t just say "Duh. I want to live in it." Do you like to play video games? Do you like to read? Cook? Do you spend a lot of time in the bathroom or getting dressed so you look your best? Pick 2-3 activities that are really essential to your well-being, and start thinking about how to use your space to let you do those things in the best way possible.

If being well-dressed is really important to you, this may mean using a significant portion of your wall space for a very large mirror. If you like to cook, it may mean expanding your kitchen space with shelves or by hanging pots and hands or by adding a kitchen island. If you like to read, it may mean putting in one large comfy chair so that you could really relax and take in a book.

After you figured out what your essential activities are, you are ready to start going furniture shopping. Try to find pieces of furniture that serve two uses. Storage ottomans are a terrific example, because you can sit on them, use them as a coffee table, and also store things out of sight. Wall shelves and containers are very useful because you may be tight on shelf space and you’re certainly tight on floor space. If you are buying a bed, seriously consider the kinds of beds but you can store things under. Finally, try to go for height — floor-to-ceiling shelving has made the difference in many small apartments and dorm rooms.

Pamella Neely has written for online and offline publications for over a decade. She’s also lived in several tiny apartments in New York City, where she refined the art of cooking in a very, very small space. By making the most of a compact refrigerator with freezer, she ate well. She now uses a 2 door compact refrigerator freezer in her office.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pamella_Neely
http://EzineArticles.com/?Small-Apartment-Furniture—How-to-Maximize-Use-and-Minimize-Space&id=3357418

The space inside your home is your own unique place where you do what you want, where you shut yourself out from the outside world or invite others to share it with them. Hence, how well you flip it to suit your needs is always of high value and meaning.

Once in a while people tend to do home makeovers for some reason. Interior home remodeling plays an important role in making your home interior increase its options for function, comfort and livability. Space is usually the main concern from the attic down to the basement. But never let it bother you. It's not how big or small your space is but how you use it that counts. Even the smallest home can give the illusion of being spacious with the appropriate and sound interior home remodeling ideas.

Color is an essential element to consider in remodeling your interior. Understanding color and how to use it in your space can help you make your home visually appealing. It maybe easy for some but it is also intimidating for others. Different hues can be used to create a variety of moods, improve ambiance and add depth to your interior. Color can soothe the senses, boost creativity and promote relaxation. Whatever color you prefer for your interior, study your options carefully before starting any renovations.

Color can visually alter how large a room appears. Use light colors to your walls and ceilings to make it look bigger. Complement it by adding scenic decorations and reflective mirrors to increase the feeling of spaciousness.

A good furniture setting is what makes a house a home. Without furniture, your interior would look like an empty shell. But every person has its own unique idea of what furniture is comfortable and convenient for him. So buy only furniture that suit your preferences and something that you will enjoy not only now but for the years to come. Arranging them properly could further enhance the elegance and spaciousness of your interior.

In most cases, due to the excitement for the new look, people are driven to fill every inch of the floor with things and more things. All too often the effect is disastrous and terrible. Any room can look bigger doing the opposite. Eliminating unnecessary furniture in your room is a simple task taken for granted but maybe is the only solution to create more space for your family and activities.

Moreover, settle for furniture that are multi-functional and have a dual purpose. Make your bedrooms usable for sleeping during the night and when the sun comes up, they can be easily transformed into an office, a den or a playroom whichever suits you.

Color and furniture are equally important to include in your interior home remodeling plans to bring a quality tone and expansiveness of the new look.

You can learn a lot more on how to make your home remodeling easier and inexpensive by joining a very informative “free” e-course by clicking http://www.homeremodelingmadeeasy.com You will also find in here additional interior home remodeling tips and articles by Reneson Andrino.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reneson_Andrino
http://EzineArticles.com/?Interior-Home-Remodeling—Space-Saving-Ideas&id=2298793

Do you work from home? Are you becoming overwhelmed by the task of creating and decorating your home office and feel a little stuck? We all get that way sometimes. Let the experts help you select your premier provider of office furniture, give you a few quick and easy tips to turn your ho hum work space into a sleek and professional haven.

1) One of the first mistakes most people make when preparing their office is with paint color. Painting your walls a dark color can make your work space feel small, cramped and depressing. If you go with a lighter, neutral shade your room will feel more spacious, energetic and professional.

2) Measure your room before shopping for your home office furniture. Your office should not be overcrowded nor should it be decorated too sparsely. You don't want a cluttered office or one that feels sterile. Keep your bookcases, desks, file cabinets and sofa appropriate to the size of your workspace.

3) Have a budget worked out. Your budget is directly linked to what you get as far as quality and craftsman ship.

4) You will want to set aside money for a good office chair. Skimping on your home office chair is a big mistake. Your chair is probably the single most important piece of furniture in your office. You will need to choose something with good lumbar support, arm rests and swivels. Most furniture stores carry excellent office chairs including the Steel Case Leap Chair and the Herman Miller Aeron Chair.

5) While very tempting, do not buy veneered or laminated “wood” furniture. These pieces look cheap and flimsy and are a headache to assemble. They also fall apart very quickly, costing you more in the long run.

6) Don't forget to add lighting, mirrors and decorative touches to maximize your room's warmth, space, style and appeal. A nice plant, artwork, or black and white or sepia toned photographs are always a safe bet. Don't overdo it though. A few well chosen pieces go a long way. These pieces blend in nicely with almost any style of office furniture too.

7) While arranging your furniture, keep in mind that placing your desk as far away from the door as possible gives your office the illusion of more space. Another great tip to add the illusion of spaciousness is to stay away from desks that are too dark or too large for your room.

Keep in mind that modern and contemporary furniture, blends well with every motif.

Follow these simple steps when setting up your home office and you will be pleased with your outcome.

A small bathroom remodeling might prove to be complicated, specifically if you wish to put up an impression of ample space. You have to ponder what you wish before planning for a bathroom remodeling. To fit all the accessories and avoid clutter, you need to plan cautiously if what you intended is an extensive remodeling. Small bathroom designs will depend on whether it is utilized by all family members and visitors, like a main bath or a master bath or just for a particular age bracket. What applies to a bathroom utilized typically by kids might be diverse from a bathroom devised specifically for grown-ups. Although you fancy your main bathroom to be nice-looking and appealing, you might want to furnish your master bath with genuine tinge of indulgence by enhancing unique items or facilities that suits best for a couple such as a soaking bath tub for two.

Flooring and Walls

Your choices of color are crucial when choosing bathroom flooring and walls. The appropriate colors will expand the room while inappropriate shades converges the space and make you feel restricted. For your flooring, large tiles are better options to enlarge your bathroom area. Moving certain fixtures around may not be a good idea if there is only one area where a full-sized bath tub can be accommodated. In numerous cases, a small bathroom restoration maybe limited to a change of color and floor designs without carrying out any change in structure to expand floor space. Modernized furniture can oftentimes offer the facade that a renovation has been imposed even though the floor area has not been expanded. It is much better to use lighter colors for walls and floors and window coverings found in the room which offers a manifestation of larger space than what it really is

Utilize Corner Space

Depending on the outline of your bathroom, one great idea to save space is corner fixtures. In certain situations, exploiting your corner space is a choice. There are corner vanities, bathtubs, pedestal sinks and toilets. Once your remodeling job is finished and you love its outcome, you must keep it neat and orderly since smaller rooms are more of a challenge to keep up.

Saving Space

Conserve space in bathrooms by installing sliding doors instead of hinged ones. A sliding door that slide in in-wall hollow space may look cool. Set up a wash-basin with shelves beneath where you can store your soaps, toothpastes, makeup and other cosmetics. Cupboards and tall cabinets along bare walls may provide lots of space for storage. These can store basic articles and patterned objects that can liven up your bathroom. A bath tub may consume space, so instead of a tub, set up shower cubicle with arched sides as this conserves space. When renovating your small bathroom, always bear in mind that you can only offer a semblance of added space unless you want to break down walls. Be sensible to relocate all those unnecessary items if they messed up your bathroom space. A de-cluttered bathroom space appears bigger as well as neater.

Bathrooms are places where most of us relieve ourselves and relax after our hectic days from work. It is the area where we can sing out loud and do whatever we want in utmost privacy. We can honestly say that bathrooms make us stay within; offering protection and security which help unwind ourselves.

Reneson Andrino is a writer specializing on home remodeling. He owns and maintains Home Remodeling Made Easy, a resource guide for more small bathroom remodeling tips. You can join his “free” mini-course for additional information. Don't delay!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Reneson_Andrino
http://EzineArticles.com/?Space-Saving-Ideas-For-Small-Bathrooms&id=2544394

In a time of expensive real estate, smaller homes built on smaller lots are becoming the norm, even in the suburbs. In the city, space is at an even greater premium, as more and more people work or live in existing buildings. Any idea that makes the most of these smaller spaces is vital to the comfort of the population.

One such idea, Murphy beds, is resurfacing. The idea of the Murphy bed was born in San Francisco around 1900. The inventor, William L. Murphy, was a young, single gentleman who lived and slept in a one-room apartment. Because he wanted to entertain his girlfriend in his room, and because “proper” young ladies did not enter a gentleman’s bedroom in those days, he found a way to hide the bed while he was entertaining. He invented a means of easily and automatically flipping the fully-made bed on its end into a closet, so it could be safely stored out of sight, but brought out again when he needed it.

Mr. Murphy patented his idea in 1900. He began manufacturing the beds as others heard of Murphy beds and wanted to take advantage of their space-saving properties. After the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, his invention became even more popular. Much of the city had suffered extensive damage, and the available living space was utilized to the utmost. Murphy’s business prospered as he continued to improve his product.

Murphy beds rapidly spread across the country as more people moved into the cities and apartment life became a popular trend. Mr. Murphy moved his flourishing business to New York in the 1920s, where it still is today. Many of the original beds are still in use today. Now, they can be found all over the world, in apartments, hotels, hospitals, offices, fire stations, and any other building where efficient use of space is vital.

Murphy Beds Info provides detailed information on murphy beds, murphy bed plans, wall beds, bed libraries, and antique beds. Murphy Beds Info is the sister site of Bunk Beds Web.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eddie_Tobey
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-are-Murphy-Beds?&id=68710

1. Particle board, is an engineered wood product manufactured from wood particles, such as wood chips, sawmill shavings, or even saw dust, and a synthetic resin or other suitable binder, which is pressed and extruded. Particleboard is a composite material. Particleboard is cheaper, denser and more uniform than conventional wood and plywood and is substituted for them when appearance and strength are less important than cost. However, particleboard can be made more attractive by painting or the use of wood veneers that are glued onto surfaces that will be visible. A major disadvantage of particleboard is that it is very prone to expansion and discoloration due to moisture, particularly when it is not covered with paint or another sealer. Pros: Low Cost, Large variety of laminate finishes. Cons: Sensitive to moisture, heavy, low quality.
2. Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down hardwood or softwood residuals into wood fibres, often in a defibrator, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. The comparison between MDF and plywood is that MDF is a lot stronger and denser. It is made up of separated fibers, (not wood veneers) but can be used as a building material similar in application to plywood. It is much more dense than normal particle board. The name derives from the distinction in densities of fiberboard. Pros: Low Cost, Large variety of laminate finishes. Cons: Sensitive to moisture, heavy, low quality.
3. Plywood is a type of Manufactured Wood made from thin sheets of wood, called plies or wood veneers. The layers are glued together so that adjacent plies have their wood grain at right angles to each other for greater strength. There are usually an odd number of plies, as the symmetry makes the board less prone to warping. A common reason for using plywood instead of plain wood is its resistance to cracking, shrinkage, twisting/warping, and its general high degree of strength. Pros: Mid Level Cost, Large variety of laminate finishes, durable,lightweight. Cons: Not a solid wood of one species.
4. Solid Wood refers to the the outside and inner core of the murphy bed or wall bed material made up of the same type of wood. There is no layering of wood types and can have varying degrees of fit and finish. Pros: Large variety of finishes, high quality, durable.  Cons: Expensive, heavy.

Laminate Veneer is a synthetic wood finish that is manufactured to imitate wood. This material can sometimes be referred to as Melamine or Formica. This surface material offers the most consistent finish but also offers a less realistic look. This finish can be used on all 4 of the wood materials listed above.

Wood Veneer is one ply of  wood applied  to the outside surface to give the appearance of the desired wood finish. This finish can also be used on all 4 of the wood material listed above.

When making your final decision on which type of material you would like your murphy bed or wall bed made of, it really comes down price & quality.