Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/728142
AT HOME profile 30 BCA A .COM FALL 2016 Ihor Pona TIP! A landlord's insurance policy doesn't provide contents or liability coverage for tenants. Renters must purchase their own insurance. SMALL SPACE DESIGN HACKS Andrew Barker, of AJ Barker Design in Vancouver, has designed more than 30 condos and townhouses. He offers these tips for making the most of a tiny living space, without sacrificing style: Sneak storage. "Start by integrating as much storage as you can into lost or unused space," says Barker. For instance: transform the bottom two steps of a staircase into drawers, to hide items such as dog leashes and shoes. Choose drawers over cupboards. You can fit more into drawers. Barker recommends installing drawers in bathrooms and kitchens to create space for items that often get corralled into baskets and boxes, or crammed into the backs of cupboards. Float the bathroom vanity. It might seem counterintuitive, but don't take your bathroom cabinet all the way down to the floor. Float it about 25 cm up to create visual space, says Barker. Also: consider a wall-mounted, mirrored, medicine cabinet to store items like medications, razors and makeup. Medicine cabinets are shallow compared to cupboards; plus, many are recessed into the wall. Consider a kitchen nook. Install storage benches or banquettes in the kitchen instead of space-hogging dining sets. But don't think 1970s throwback, he says. These modern upholstered pieces add comfort and can fit seamlessly into any design style. Mount your TV. Hang your television on the wall rather than perching it on top of a cabinet. No reinforced wall? Try a floor-to-ceiling pole. These are typically used in commercial spaces, but can work in homes, too, says Barker. Slide, don't swing. Use sliding barn or pocket doors instead of hinged doors, which swing out around 80 cm, wasting valuable wall space. Streamline floor styles. Use one flooring material throughout the space – except, perhaps, for tile in the bathrooms, says Barker: "Don't mix tile, laminate, carpet and hardwood. Having all those different materials just chops the space up." –Janet Gyenes to see in? I just close the blinds at night and when we're not home. When we are home, I open them so you can see what's going on in the lane. We used to live off Main Street and our balcony backed onto a lane. We knew what to expect in terms of the type of traffic that comes by: you've got your neighbours taking their dogs for a walk, kids in the lane playing hockey and, of course, your "recycling artists." What makes the house livable? Kris: The fact that it's on ground level. A lot of laneway homes are built on top of a garage – there are no stairs here, so I think it is going to be great once the baby comes. The outdoor space is also nice. We have a sitting area with a patio. I got my full-sized barbecue back! Meagan: We have a little yard, too. We've never had that before. We planted a veggie garden. How does living in a laneway house compare to condo living? Kris: It's fantastic. I love the fact that I can see my car. We have two driveways that come with the laneway home, on either side of the home. I've lived in Canada for 10 years now [I'm originally from Scotland] and I've always lived in apartments. This is a nice change. Meagan: We don't have to deal with an elevator any more. We just walk into the house. Overall, I think the house is just the right size for us. We wouldn't want it to be much smaller. ■ MEMBERS SAVE BCAA Members save up to 15% on Home Insurance and enjoy exclusive benefits, like a $200 deductible, one-claim forgiveness and access to Premier packages, which offer enhanced coverage. bcaa.com/ homeinsurance