Contemporary Living South Africa

Contemporary Living South Africa

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Cape Town is one of the most diverse and dynamic cities worldwide. While it is the second most populated urban area in South Africa, the city is also the seat of the national parliament and was recently named a World Design Capital. Cape Town's eclectic cityscape includes a world famous harbor, distinct suburbs, and outstanding geography. Located between Table Mountain and the sea, Cape Town possesses a lively building stock, including the highest density of Cape Dutch style building in the world. While there are many notable projects designed for the city, from the 2010 FIFA Cape Town Stadium to Heatherwick's future Grain Silo transformation, the city also boasts many unknown contemporary residential designs.

This collection focuses on modern residential design in Cape Town, drawing from different firms, locations, and clients across the city. While the houses are each a unique architectural exploration and formal expression, they all value expansive views, simple geometry and outdoor space. The designs make careful use of overhangs and partitions to allow a spatial blurring between exterior and interior rooms, creating programmed space that extends beyond the different houses' perimeters. All the designs make use of rectilinear forms that emerge from the surrounding context and landscape. They are a series of homes that simultaneously rethink and celebrate the spaces and natural landscapes of Cape Town and South Africa.

© SAOTA

© SAOTA

Nettleton 198 by SAOTA, Cape Town, South Africa

Created for a British couple living in Cape Town, Nettleton 198 captures panoramic views of the sea and surrounding mountains. Dark colors on the façade allow the design to visually recede into the hillside, while the sun became a defining factor and influence on the project. Screens, louvres, and shutters combine to delineate the upper and lower floors.

Newlands House by Antonio Zaninovic Architects, Cape Town, South Africa

This house was designed to embrace the rugged mountains and oceanfront with a modern, clean aesthetic. Careful partition and wall arrangement allows privacy, while the house also enjoys uninterrupted views of Cape Town's city center.

© Three14 Architects

© Three14 Architects

Firth 114802 by Three14 Architects, Cape Town, South Africa

Firth 114802 is found in Rondebosch, a suburban area with views towards The Back Table and Devil's Peak. The minimal white box form addressed the client's desire for a contemporary, open house while also capitalizing on the surrounding views. A distinctive screen wall faces the street while a courtyard, terrace, and open living space are oriented to the north.

© SAOTA

© SAOTA

OVD 919 by SAOTA, Cape Town, South Africa

Located in a part of Cape Town known as Lions Head, OVD 919 was designed to capitalize on spectacular views. Monumental forms were also implemented to create powerful, simple distinctions between spaces while framing the surrounding site. The concrete finish was also designed as a contrast to the house's copper roof.

© Jenny Mills Architects

© Jenny Mills Architects

Head Road Glamour by Jenny Mills Architects, Cape Town, South Africa

Situated on the Fresnaye slopes of Lion's Head, this house has a strong visible presence and a combination of organic and rectilinear geometry. The architecture was based on the strong rock formations of the surrounding mountains. A living area with limited slender supports allows the boundary between interior and exterior space to disappear.

Thorn Street, Newlands by Bomax Architects, Cape Town, South Africa

The Thorn Street house uses simple, rectilinear geometry between the different floors. The structure was created for a family living on Thorn Street in the southern suburbs of Cape Town. Wood slats, stone, and concrete combine to create a modern home that is private while simultaneously open.

© Luis Mira Architect

© Luis Mira Architect

House in Camps Bay by Luis Mira Architect, Cape Town, South Africa

A holiday home for a single person, the house in Camps Bay was designed to morph between private individual spaces and rooms for a house full of visitors. Every space has a sea view, and terraces look up to the nearby mountains. A subtle journey was created in the design through the spaces, landscape, and architecture.

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Contemporary Living South Africa

Source: https://architizer.com/blog/inspiration/collections/cape-town/

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Best Toy Storage For Living Room

Best Toy Storage For Living Room

Living rooms can be truly multi-purpose areas – especially after children come along. This post has been written to give you some ideas of how you can make a living room a place that is suitable for children during the day – with toys accessible, and suitable for adults at night – with toys hidden so that the grown ups can relax. I hope it helps!

Not many of use are fortunate enough to have space for a separate family / playroom – and as such your living room needs to serve the functions of these AND still manage to be a relaxing haven in the evenings.

There's nothing less relaxing than feeling like you're sitting in a toy shop / nursery etc….!

I was recently asked by a reader on Facebook (thanks Kirsty!) about this dilemma and so I wanted to give you my top ideas for creating a truly multi-purpose space that works equally well for kids and adults – after all – it's a family home!

As with anything I organise, I assess the problem and the space first.

Working out where you are right now is crucial to getting a system that works for you at the end of the process.

You want to understand the space you have available, and what you need to store in that space – so let's tackle the latter first.

What space do you have available?

However large your home is, there may be alternatives to keeping all the toys in your living room, and it's worth exploring these first so that you are sure that you are organising the toys in the best possible place.

Think of the spaces therefore that you have in your home: –

• Is there a space in your kitchen/dining room for a corner to be dedicated to a childrens area? This gives your children a place to call their own in the house – and if you are wanting to clear the toys from the living room each evening, having a place that's theirs elsewhere will make this as easier thing to do – and stop them from feeling too sidelined.
• Do you have aguest bedroom? Could this double up as a playroom or at least storage for toys that are used less often?
• Do you have more than one child and do they have separate bedrooms? Could they share a room for sleeping and then use the other for a playroom?
• Do all toys have to be stored so that they are accessible all the time to the children? Sometime its really valuable to rotate toys so that children play with their things more as they have less choice – you can therefore store things in a loft for example and change the toys over regularly. Another idea for storing toys while they are not needed is to have a storage bed in your childs room – this keeps everything out of the way but easy for you to grab.
• If your child loves craft/art you may not actually want this type of play in your living room – so you may want to store this elsewhere so they are not tempted to get the paints out on your sofa! – A kitchen cupboard or even the garage are good places for these sorts of items as they are usually brought out by an adult for supervised play only so can be kept a little more out of the way.

One thing I would say is that toys are usually best stored outside of childrens bedrooms if possible, especially when they are younger.

This is because they are far too tempted to play instead of sleep – and having a toy in their bedroom makes relaxing that much harder – so if at all possible storing toys in a living room makes much more sense (you also end up having your children playing in more social areas as a result, so it's easier to keep an eye on them during the day).

You may now have a couple of extra areas that you want to keep certain toys in, and so will have less to store in your living room as a result.

Whether this is the case or not, you will want to ensure that what you are storing in your living room is only what is really needed/played with – so a declutter is worth doing here…

Decluttering toys

Decluttering toys needn't be tricky – just simply go through and check for anything that fits into any of the following:-

Broken toys

Incomplete toys

Toys that your child has outgrown

Toys that are no longer played with

TIP – It's always worth going through these with your child(ren) if possible as they are their belongings – and it also gets them started on the good habit of sorting their stuff out regularly

Sorting through in this way means that you can be more sure that what you have left is all you need to find space for in your living room – and so that's what we need to organise!

Organising Kids Toys in adult spaces

In a playroom it's perfectly reasonable to have storage that is bright, open and fun to look at – as we are looking at making that into a kid friendly space – but when looking at storing kids toys in a living room we have a slightly different specification.

You will want to have storage that can hide the toys away at night, that can easily be used by your children, but also that looks good when the toys are stored away.

Here are some of my favourite ideas – it obviously depends on what space you have available, and what your budget is – but there should be something here that gives you inspiration!

#1 – Baskets – large wicker ones, smaller ones in different colours, trunks etc….

I love using large wicker trunks** as coffee tables or along a wall for extra seating (add cushions!) as they allow loads of storage for toys, are really easy to open for children, and look great in a lot of different styled rooms.

Another way to use baskets is within shelving – to contain smaller toys together so that you can find everything easily. This would work really well for toy cars, dolls clothes, lego etc….

#2 – Storage coffee table

If you don't like the wicker basket look, or if you also want extra storage – then why not consider a storage coffee table?

A lot of living rooms that double up as playrooms avoid coffee tables as they can get in the way of playing – but having a flat surface to play board games, draw etc… on can be a really good addition to the room (while also allowing the adults to have a coffee table!), and you can keep loads of toys in the storage underneath as well.

TIP – if you're worried about sharp edges and little heads banging on them, then you should look at storage footstools as this offers a pretty flat surface, storage, and extra seat, and if you add a large tray on the top you can use for a coffee table as well.

There are loads of coffee tables/footstools out there that offer both functionality (an extra seat, somewhere to put your drinks etc…) and practicality in terms of storage.

Whatever the look and feel of your home you can find something to suit – and the beauty of this is that you can simply put all the toys in there at the end of the day and is all hidden away – perfect!

#3 – Fitted cupboards in alcoves

If you have a period home, then you may be blessed with alcoves around your fireplace in your living room – and you may as well maximise their use with some well planned storage!

Getting built in storage here is a worthwhile expense as you can use all the space you have available and get it exactly how you want.

I like the idea of layout in the above picture because you get some open storage for books and objects, but lots of closed storage that toys can hide behind so that they are completely accessible to children, but out of the way when it's the evening.

#4 – Bay window storage

I love the idea of a built in window seat in a bay window – with lots of storage underneath – and this would make a great place to sit and read for little ones too.

#5 – Relocating the sofa

Most of us have out sofas tight against the wall – usually because the living room can feel small otherwise.

However, if you do have a little more space – look to move the sofa out a little and then you can house toys behind it more easily – out of the way enough!

Although – always look at where the sofa is positioned, as the last thing you want to be able to see when you walk into the room is the mess of toys behind the sofa! (I would use tubs or baskets to house the toys as well of course!).

#6 – Sideboards / Bookcases

Most living spaces have a sideboard and/or a bookcase – and why not use these for storing toys out of the way.

I recommend having the lower portion of a bookcase for toys so that they can be easily grabbed by the children but PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE secure the bookcase to the wall, so that there is no chance of it toppling over…

I hope that these storage ideas for toys have been useful to ensuring that you make the most of your multi-functional living room.

The best method to ensure that you have what you want at the end of your organising is to do the following:-

• Determine where is best to store the toys – do you want to store some elsewhere?
• Determine what toys you really need to store – can you declutter?
• Work out the best storage for the space you have in your living room so that things are hidden but accessible.

Once you've done these 3 things you should have the ideal multi functional room that your kids think is a playroom, but reverts back to a relaxing haven for you come the evening – perfect!

Best Toy Storage For Living Room

Source: https://organisemyhouse.com/storage-kids-toys-living-room/

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Someone Living In Apartment Not On Lease

Someone Living In Apartment Not On Lease

30 Tips for Living Large in a Small Space

Photo Courtesy: Gabriel Beaudry/Unsplash

A small living space can still be stylish. All you need are the perfect products and accessories to liven up your studio or one-bedroom apartment, while maximizing your space. Of course, efficiency and comfort are important as well, and don't worry — we haven't forgotten your tiny kitchen and bathroom. Here are 30 products that will help you live large in your small space.

Get Creative with Storage Space in Your Bedroom

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you don't have a lot of closet space, you can always put things under your bed — unless, of course, your frame sits too low to the floor. If that's the case, it's time to place DuraCasa's bed risers under the legs to gain an additional boost of 3 inches of space for boxes, suitcases and anything else you want to keep hidden away. The risers are built to hold up to 2,000 pounds distributed across your bed.

"This is exactly what I was looking for," says one satisfied Amazon customer. Others praise the risers as "sturdy" and "nice and thick and strong." Something worth noting: A few people say the risers don't always stay put on hardwood floors.

Don't Just Throw Everything Under the Bed

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

StorageLAB's shoe organizer can help you keep shoes tucked away in an orderly fashion. With two of these containers, you can pack up to 24 pairs of shoes and adjust the size of the compartments to accommodate larger shoes or shoes with long heels. This handy organizer is also great for scarves, gloves and numerous other things.

"I wanted something that looks good and keeps its shape," says one reviewer. The firm siding on these containers ensures they hold their form, and handles make it easy to pull the unit out from under the bed. The clear zippered top allows you to easily find the shoes you want. "An A++ for design!" raves another happy owner.

When You Don't Have Room for a Nightstand

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Sauder's Orchard Hills bookcase headboard fits a queen-size bed frame snugly or leaves a bit of space on each side for a full. Constructed of "very sturdy" particle board, the headboard attaches directly to the rails of your frame, providing additional stability while taking up minimum floor space.

It arrives unassembled, and although reviewers say it is "easy to put together," many also mentioned that the package is quite heavy and hard to move from the front door to the bedroom. Once the headboard is put together, however, you have plenty of room for an alarm clock, reading lamp, a stash of books (or a reading device) and stuffed animals or room decor.

The Extra Fancy Bed Storage Space Solution

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If throwing boxes under a regular bed frame feels too basic, take a look at the Dakota platform bed with drawers from DHP. It sits on an elegant frame, with an upholstered headboard and two drawers on each side, allowing you to store just about anything in an orderly, efficient manner.

"We were concerned about the sturdiness," one reviewer admits, "but were quickly relieved once the bed was tested." Others praise the easy-to-follow assembly instructions, and one reviewer is particularly fond of the time it saves on cleaning, noting, "There's no space under the beds for dust bunnies to gather."

A Small but Powerful Vacuum Cleaner

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The 2-in-1 vacuum cleaner from VonHaus is "not much larger than a broom," but it has more than enough power to keep your entire place clean. You can go over all your floors, just like any other vacuum cleaner, or you can remove the floor vacuum head to turn it into a handheld for cleaning furniture and spills on tables and countertops. When you're finished, just detach the container and throw away the dust and debris.

"I can't believe how good the suction is on this little vacuum," says one buyer. Other owners are delighted with its light weight and small size for easy storage. Several, however, suggest the filters need to be cleaned more frequently than the once-a-month routine VonHaus recommends.

A Classic Modern Storage Solution

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Over the door shoe organizers like the one from MISSLO have become classic features in modern home storage design — so simple and obvious, once you think about it. Of course, many people use them for more than shoes. "I have one in my linen closet that I use for medicines, lotions, extra toothpaste, special hair creams — you name it," one reviewer reports. "I've gained an entire shelf for towels."

The organizer is "easy to hang," with four metal hooks that fit most standard-sized doors. Once in place, "It doesn't slip or slide around," and the 24 large mesh pockets can hold 12 pairs of shoes easily — more if the shoes happen to be sandals!

Keep Your Drawers in Order

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"No matter how neatly I fold my bras and underwear," one reviewer complains, "they always seem to become a big jumble in the drawer." The solution? Simple Houseware's organizer set comes with four cases designed to hold ties, scarves, underwear, bras or socks in individual compartments, allowing you to easily spot items at a glance.

No more losing a favorite pair of socks in the back of the drawer, where it could stay buried indefinitely. "My only complaint," one reviewer says, "is that I would like to be able to get another 24-compartment organizer without having to buy the whole set."

Create Shelf Space in Your Closet

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The hanging closet organizer from Simple Houseware is "easy to set up and super lightweight, but extremely durable," according to a satisfied buyer. When hung on the clothing rod in your closet, the fabric drops down to reveal five shelves, with an extra three pockets on each side.

You can put a lot of weight on the shelves, including jeans, sweaters, bath towels, bed sheets and pillow covers. (The lower compartments can even hold heavy boots.) This organizer is "the hardiest I've seen," says one reviewer, adding, "It does not strain at all."

Store All Your Jewelry in One Place

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Are you constantly hunting through several different boxes on top of your dresser to find the necklace or pair of earrings you need to match an outfit? Maybe you need AOOU's jewelry cabinet and dressing mirror combo. The full-length mirror on the front opens to reveal enough storage space (including hooks) for just about any jewelry collection, with additional shelves for makeup and perfume.

"It is made well, very sturdy and hangs very neatly on my closet door," one reviewer says. (It can be wall-mounted as well.) Magnets keep the door securely shut, and a set of blue LED lights along the top light up when the door opens, making it easy to find what you need.

Take All the Hassle Out of Laundry Day

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When floor space is at a premium, a full-sized hamper can be a bulky eye-sore. Smart Design's pop-up hamper can sit unobtrusively next to your dresser or tucked away in the closet. The mesh siding allows damp and sweaty clothes to dry faster, reducing the risk of funky odors.

"These hold waaay more than I thought they would!" exclaims one reviewer — enough to do two loads of laundry in a single trip, in fact. Plus, when laundry day does come around, the sturdy handles make it easy to carry, and there are side pockets for detergent and fabric softener.

It's a Lamp! It's a Display Case!

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The Etagere floor lamp with shelves from Simple Designs Home is the sort of thing you never think about until somebody points it out — then you can't get over what a great idea it is. It's a floor lamp that stands just over 5 feet high and features sleek, sophisticated lines, but it also sports three shelves perfectly spaced for holding a telephone, small planter, cherished figurines and more. In the bedroom, it could easily double as a nightstand and a reading light.

"It took me all of 15 minutes to assemble by myself," one reviewer reports, adding that you need to have a Phillips screwdriver on hand. "You can't go wrong with this one," another reviewer adds. "It really does bring the room together." Some owners, however, note that the electrical cord can dangle awkwardly down the length of the lamp stand.

You Can't Go Wrong with a Good Rug

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Home Dynamix offers a variety of rugs that feature soft, Persian-inspired decorative motifs in neutral colors. The Royal Clover contemporary rug is one example that blends nicely with nearly any decor. Whether you're looking for an area rug to pull the living room together, a runner for the hall or a small round rug for the bedroom, the company offers the size you need.

Many reviewers are delighted with how easily these rugs can be cleaned, with many stains coming out using only a damp cloth and some spray. "They vacuum really well," a reviewer adds, even in a household with multiple pets.

It's Okay to Drink on the Sofa Now

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you're watching TV and you want to enjoy a drink but don't have a coffee table, what do you do? Maybe it's time to consider the CoachCoaster, a gadget that fits easily over the arm of your sofa or armchair to provide a secure base for everything from beer cans to coffee mugs.

The sleeve is weighted on both sides for stability, and the drink holder keeps containers firmly in place — even if you accidentally brush it with your arm. (Although one reviewer did mention that it's still vulnerable to jumping cats.)

No More TV Dinner Trays

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Maybe you'd like to have something to eat while you're watching the big game. You could put your plate on the coffee table and bend over to eat, or you could hold your plate and risk spilling food on the couch. Sauder's lift-top coffee table offers a better solution. The table top is actually a lid that raises several inches and slides forward, allowing you to eat — or work — comfortably on the couch with the top in front of you. Underneath, the table has plenty of storage space that is perfect for stashing items you don't want out in the open.

Reviewers describe this coffee table as "very sturdy and heavy." They also recommend you have somebody on hand to help you put it together.

The Comfortable Way to Sit Up in Bed

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Do you spend a lot of time hanging out in your bedroom — reading, watching a movie on your tablet or checking on social media? You could jam a bunch of pillows against your headboard or wall to support your back — or you could get the ComfortSpa reading pillow. A comfortable 18 inches high, the foam pillow provides excellent back support.

"This helps me feel like I'm more laying on the couch than in bed," says one happy reviewer. "It's very comfortable, no matter how you lay on it!" The armrests even have pockets so you don't have to leave your glasses or smartphone on the bed, where they could be crushed if you roll over.

The Comfortable Way to Work on Your Lap

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

They call it a laptop computer, but have you ever tried actually holding one in your lap? They sit uncomfortably, and you have to keep your head bent to read the screen, potentially causing back and neck pain. The adjustable laptop desk from Mind Reader takes care of several problems. It's cushioned along the bottom, so it rests comfortably and smoothly on your legs. The smooth plastic surface can be adjusted to eight different angles, accommodating whatever position you choose, from sitting up to lying on the couch.

Although it's designed to work with laptops and tablets — and comes with a clip to keep them from sliding off when the desk is angled — it also makes an excellent writing desk. "No more hunching over for long periods!" one buyer says. Many note the plastic material is thin but say it's more than sturdy enough to hold various electronic devices, even a thick hardcover book.

Start Your Wine Collection in Style

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Maybe you want to be a wine connoisseur — but you can't find anywhere in your cramped kitchen to store more than one bottle. Take a look at the Sorbus wall-mounted wine rack. Many customers describe the rack as "easy to install," although they also recommend that you use longer mounting screws than the screws that come with the product, especially if you're hanging it on drywall.

Once it's on the wall, people love the "clean, functional, simple design" of the metal rack, which holds up to nine normal-sized wine bottles securely. If you're not a wine drinker, you can also use it for cooking oils or set it up in the bathroom as a towel rack.

Plan Everything Out on Your Fridge

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"We have almost always had a white board on our refrigerator for grocery lists and messages," says one consumer. Another says the magnetic whiteboard from cinch! is "the absolute best one we have ever had." It comes in two sizes (17 inches by 11inches and 20 inches by 13 inches) and includes markers — also magnetized to stick to your fridge — in four different colors.

The dry erase board cleans easily, even if you leave something written on it for a month, and the thin design, with "clean and smooth" edging, means it blends seamlessly on a white refrigerator, an effect another buyer describes as "almost disconcerting!"

Declutter Your Pots and Pans

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Are you fed up with taking every pan you own out of the cabinet to get to the one pan you need? Maybe it's time to get rid of your frustration with the Simple Houseware pan rack organizer. Place the rack on its side to hold four pans in a row, or stack five pans horizontally without worrying about scratching them.

"You could not even see the bottom of my cabinet before," one reviewer says, but the unit still leaves rooms for pots in many cases. The racks are strong enough to hold heavy cast iron pans, although deep frying pans will only fit on top. It can also be screwed into the cabinet wall or the bottom for additional stability.

Give Your Pantry a Simple, Streamlined Look

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

One of the biggest problems with keeping your kitchen organized is everything comes in different size boxes and bags, forcing you to create improvised pyramids on your pantry shelves. DRAGONN's 10-piece airtight food storage containers set offers an elegant alternative, with containers in a variety of sizes to handle everything from spices to spaghetti.

Shoppers praise the containers as "high quality and very durable" and note they also look great on the kitchen counter and are easily hand washable. The airtight seals keep everything fresh and dry and are an excellent deterrent against ants and other insects that could invade your kitchen.

Have You Ever Looked Under Your Sink?

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When it comes to kitchen storage, the cabinet under the sink is the space most people don't like to think about. It's easy to just throw all the bottles of different cleaners in there and slam the door, but the adjustable shelf organizer from STORAGE MANIAC offers a better solution. You can return order to the chaos and make it easy to find what you need when you need it.

Reviewers say this two-shelf unit is "very well made," noting that the length is adjustable to fit the size of your cabinet. The shelf's surface consists of steel panels, which can also be moved to make space for the sink's pipes. "Under my kitchen sink looks wonderful now!" one owner declares. It's also perfect for under your bathroom vanity.

Use Your Kitchen Wall to Establish Mise en Place

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Great chefs run their kitchens with an impeccable sense of mise en place — the principle that positions everything exactly where you need it before you start so you can prepare any dish smoothly and efficiently. An empty kitchen wall provides a big opportunity to pull essentials together in one easily accessible spot — with the help of Wall Control's pegboard organizer.

It's the same kind of metal pegboard you might use to hang tools on the wall over a workbench, which ensures the board is sturdy enough to hold even your heaviest pans. "If you want something that will last a lifetime," says one reviewer, "then I highly recommend Wall Control boards." You can choose from a range of colors.

A Colorful Foundation for Food Prep

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

A well-stocked kitchen needs an assortment of mixing bowls and measuring tools.

Joseph Joseph's nine-piece set features all the basics, including four measuring cups and a tablespoon. The set is made of colorful plastic that will brighten up any kitchen, and the bowls don't lose their sheen, even after multiple trips through the dishwasher.

The mixing bowls are extremely sturdy, with no-slip bottoms. "On family movie night," one reviewer reports, "three bags of microwave popcorn fit in the large mixing bowl." The small mixing bowl can hold a dozen eggs at once, with no problem.

Get All Your Spices in Order

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The hard part of becoming a more adventurous home cook isn't finding unique ingredients — it's keeping track of them once you pack them away in your pantry. YouCopia's Chef's Edition SpiceStack has drawers that slide out from their frame and tilt forward so you can view the contents at a glance. There's enough room for up to 30 regular-sized spice bottles.

Reviewers call the SpiceStack "a total dream," praising the "sturdy plastic drawers" for their "amazing spice storage." It even comes with blank and preprinted labels for the front of the drawers if you want to take immediate stock of your inventory.

You've Got to Hide Your Knives Away

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

When you've got a small kitchen counter, a chunky knife block can take up a lot of valuable space. Wusthof's under-the-cabinet knife block is the perfect solution, giving you easy access to eight knives (and a honing steel), then swiveling out of the way when you're done.

The beechwood block screws into the underside of a kitchen cabinet with just three screws, and many reviewers describe it as "very solid" and "excellently detailed with a smooth finish." They also note that the knives are held in their slots magnetically, but "they will fly out if you're not careful." Then again, you would always be careful with knives, right?

No More Fumbling for the Conditioner

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

"This shower caddy is epic!" raves one user who bought Simple Houseware's hanging shower head organizer. It has a deep basket for shampoo, conditioner and other bottles, with a shelf beneath that can hold razors, sponges and bars of soap, plus hangers for a loofah or a back brush.

When you don't have a window ledge next to your shower or space in the corners of your tub to hold stuff, just hang this caddy over your shower head to keep everything in reach. Other customers praise it as "super sturdy" and "very stable... exactly what my husband and I needed."

Making Bath Time Lots of Fun

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

If you don't feel comfortable hanging a caddy on your shower head, you can always try the mesh shower curtain organizer from Yihoon. It hangs securely on your shower rod or towel rack and has mesh pockets big enough to hold everything you need, from washcloths to shampoo bottles.

"We have a small shower, and I hate the look of bottles all over the place," says one reviewer. This organizer offers an ideal solution. The mesh pockets dry quickly, and you can always throw it in the washer if it gets a little funky.

Keep Your Cool — and Your Quiet

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

In a small room, every inch of floor space counts. Bulky fans take up too much room — and usually make too much noise. Lasko's oscillating tower fan stands discreetly in a small space and boasts a woodgrain finish that blends in with most decors.

More importantly, as one reviewer observes, "It's quieter than any tower fan I've ever owned," even at its highest speeds. A remote control allows you to change settings without getting up, and a nighttime mode allows you to slowly taper from high to low while you drift off to sleep.

So Many Cables. So. Many. Cables.

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

The TV, the cable box, the DVD player, the video game console, the high-speed modem, the base for the wireless phone — you've got tons of devices to plug in and very few outlets. Belkin's 12-outlet power strip and surge protector can help you keep everything up and running.

The power strip has six outlets running down the middle and another three on each side, especially designed to hold those oversized power adaptors that always cause you to lose the adjoining outlet on normal power strips. The internal circuitry can even gauge how much power each device is using and spread the voltage accordingly. "If I need more power bars in the future," says one satisfied reviewer, "these are what I will buy."

Get All Those Cords Out of Sight

Photo Courtesy: Amazon

Even if you have a power strip big enough to handle all your electronic devices, you still have to deal with all those cords and cables, which can create an unsightly mess along your floor and walls. A few cable concealers from SimpleCord can take care of that problem. The plastic units are designed to blend with most wall colors, leaving a streamlined path from devices to an outlet.

Reviewers praise these concealers as "easy to install" and "very sturdy." Once you have your wires laid down in the raceway containers, slide the plastic cover on, and you're all set. Add-on units allow you to turn corners easily, and you can even lock them into place along your baseboards with adhesive strips or mounting screws.

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Someone Living In Apartment Not On Lease

Source: https://www.consumersearch.com/home-garden/tips-living-large-small-space?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740007%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

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