Cape Cod homes usually have 1.5 stories, shingles and a steep roof.
Homes built in the Cape Cod style of architecture have a distinct look. They are very basic structures with usually one and a half stories, shingles, a steep roof and a large central chimney. One drawback to this style of home is that they are traditionally not very large, only around 1,000 to 2,000 square feet. Small homes can often mean inadequate space. When the closets, basement and attic are full, you may think you've exhausted all the square footage. But this just means that it's time to get creative and maximize the space in your Cape Cod house. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Utilize furniture with hidden storage. All kinds of this type of furniture are available: coffee tables, benches, headboards, couches, even ottomans and armchairs. Hide toys and games inside a window bench, throws and pillows inside a coffee table, and magazines inside an ottoman. Inexpensively priced storage furniture can be found at home furnishing stores, Target, Wal-Mart and IKEA. Or, if you're a do-it-yourselfer, try building your own. Making the furniture yourself allows you to customize each and every piece to mesh with the Cape Cod style.
2. Create multipurpose areas. Put a dining room in the living room, a classroom for homeschooling kids in a corner of the den, or a craft area in the guest room. In a Cape Cod home, the master bedroom is usually very spacious; part of it could be used for a home office or home gym. Separate the zones physically, with an actual partition such as a room divider, bookshelf or hanging curtain. Or separate visually; paint walls in each zone different colors, then use furniture placement and area rugs to define each space.
3. Make use of dead space. This is a good idea no matter what the style of the home. Place shelves in the top of wardrobes, pantries and closets. Store items atop tall furniture: buffets, armoires and grandfather clocks. Consider the space underneath any flights of stairs, where the drywall is often hiding empty space that could be turned into a little closet. Placing all beds in the home on risers raises them several inches, allowing for under-bed storage, and pulling couches, cabinets and dressers away from walls creates a few inches of space behind them for storage.
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