EXPANDING IN A SMALL FOOTPRINT

Last update: June 24, 2009 - 10:42 AM

EXPANDING IN A SMALL FOOTPRINT

To make the most of small-space renovations, Chris Schmitt and Michael Roehr of RoehrSchmitt Architecture offer these tips:

• Think spaces, not rooms. Resist the idea that an additional room will solve your home's challenges. Instead, focus on how you can create more functional spaces. "If you have a tool that can do 12 things, it's better than having 12 tools," explained Roehr. "Throw away the tools and get a Swiss army knife instead."

• Go up. Most renovations bump out. By raising the roofline in the bathroom and the kitchen, RoehrSchmitt made Beth Gotting's home feel more expansive without taking up her entire city-sized lot.

• Be smart about storage. From a large linen closet in the bathroom to the kitchen pantry, Gotting's house was made more functional with thoughtfully planned storage.

ELIZABETH LARSEN

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