Product Description

More than 50 million homes have 2,500 square feet or less. * Overview of decorating and modeling redos, such as a 1930s cottage, a 1940s Cape Cod, a 1950s ranch, a 1960s split level, and more * How to enhance space on a small or large scale * Tips on arranging rooms, upgrading systems, working with building and design pros, and budgeting * More than 200 photographs

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #873519 in Books
• Published on: 2001-03-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 216 pages

From Library Journal
This book focuses on maximizing space in a small house. Beginning with an overview of coping with space and deciding on decorating style, the text goes on to "show how to use the elements of home decorating, remodeling and building to make the space feel right for you." Each chapter examines actual homes, most under 2000 square feet, to illustrate the suggestions. Numerous color photographs show how the inhabitants deal with space restrictions, whether through clever furniture and storage arrangements or by remodeling or room additions, with helpful before-and-after floor plans. Similar in its approach to Real Life Decorating (LJ 9/15/00), this book would be an excellent addition to any size public library.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Refreshing, interesting, fun, and helpful
How refreshing this book is. It starts with an intriguing little house on a traffic island somewhere in California. I must have studied the pictures of that house a thousand times by now. But it has ideas, from storage to room arranging, for homes of somewhere around 2500 square feet or less. The square footage is listed with each house. Many are between 1000 and 2000 square feet. It's about time. McMansions in my neck of the woods are running 4,000, 5,000, 6,000 square feet.. Obscene. I wish more builders and architects would get on board with reasonable home sizes again. This book proves that a small house of 2500 square feet or less can live big.

Fun, cool, helpful
I wasn't going to write an amazon review until I read an earlier review from someone who thought the book did not offer "actionable tips." I DISAGREE completely. The book is a fun read and filled with stylish (and varied) homes from around the country, but it is giving me one idea after another for making the most of tight spaces. (In our part of the country, we cannot afford a large home.) I have gotten and used several storage ideas, but what I like best are the room arranging ideas and tips on color. This is a 5-star book all around.

All in good taste...
You'll love the common sense ideas, gorgeous pictures and helpful decorating hints in this latest Better Homes and Garden book. They feature a good selection of decorating styles for most classic smaller homes (under 2500sq.ft.) in different areas of the country. I'm currently redecorating my livingroom and was inspired for fabric choices and colors. I like mixing several style of accessories and the book shows you how to do that without tackiness. It will remain a good reference.