Blog: Settling Into Your New Home
Rethink Your Formal Living Room

Hidden potential could be hiding in a room intended for a specific purpose.  The way we use a room can change according to our needs.  For example, formal living rooms are common in many homes, both old and new.  For some, it's hard to imagine something different in this space.  So, how could you use it differently?  Today I'll give you some ideas to use this widely unused and unappreciated space for things other than a black hole or some sort of mysterious dumping ground.  Here's how:

1.  A Room Full of Purpose:  Decide what purpose makes sense for you.  Do you have a space to pay bills, use the family computer?  Would you like a creative space to scrapbook, do homework, read, etc.?

2.  Who & What Is The Room For?  Who uses the room is as important as how you use the room.  Think about how you and your family work and what things will need to take place in this room.  This will help you determine appropriate furniture and accessories.   

3.  Strictly Business?   Do you have a home business or telecommute?  Do you need a home office?  There are important tax ramifications to consider if you are using it solely for business, so contact your accountant or attorney.

4.  Laying It All Out: How could you best utilize the room?  What furniture should there be, and where should it be placed.  If your budget allows, consider built-ins.  They not only look and function well, but are great for resale value (even if that's 20 years from now).  

5.  Hiring a Professional:  Sometimes it's hard to see the potential of a room.  You may be too close to it or your head is spinning from the sheer volume of options.  Maybe a new wall, new windows or an entirely new layout is what you want, but you can't quite picture how that would work.  Hiring a professional such as a carpenter, designer or professional organizer can help.  An outside opinion maybe just what you need, and you may be surprised at how much potential that room really has!  

Overall, enjoy the process.  Your home and your new space should reflect you and your lifestyle.  Try using furniture and accessories you already have to create a space you love.  Afterall, it is your home.  

posted on: 11/8/2007 1:30:00 PM by Brandie Kajino
category: Moving

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Settling Into Your New Home

by Brandie Kajino

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About Brandie:

Brandie Kajino, "The Home Office Organizer" "Empowering you to organize your home office"

Brandie's Website:

www.thehomeofficeorganizer.com

Brandie's Other Blogs:

• Paper Organizing Made Easy

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