Inefficient two bedroom becomes three bedroom with den
This two bedroom, two bathroom apartment for a family of four didn’t seem as big or efficient as it should have. Overly deep built-in cabinets in the living room hogged space and were in the wrong place. Another area of the living room looked forlorn and wasn’t being used to its full extent. The large master bedroom was a waste of space. The bathrooms and kitchen needed an overhaul and the children, a boy and a girl, needed their own spaces.
Joanna immediately saw how the rooms could be rearranged to provide more private space and more entertaining space for the family. She also knew how to add a more efficient home workspace for the husband and create more storage for the family.
The existing deep built-ins were demolished. Joanna moved the living room area into the newfound space. A sectional sofa delineates the area. Joanna designed a custom TV wall unit that floats so that the floor space in the apartment appears larger. She turned a former dining space into a den off the kitchen. It’s the perfect space to work in, drink coffee in, relax with guests in, or for the kids to use. The former forlorn space at the end of the living room became the new dining area, complete with its own buffet/bar. A new, sleek custom work station divides the living room from the dining space. Built-ins along and under the windows unify the space, hide the heater and air conditioner, and add storage and interest.
Joanna switched the bedrooms. The couple now inhabits the smaller bedroom. Storage is built-in everywhere and the space feels organized, serene, and private. The former master bedroom was divided with a custom T shaped divider so that each child has a cozy and organized room.
The bathrooms and kitchens got design makeovers. Storage was added everywhere.
People comment that the apartment feels huge - as if another wing has been added. The husband happily noted, as he picked up an item, “I am going to go to put this away and I am so happy that it has a place to go and that I know where that is!” The family can stay in the apartment indefinitely. They love their neighborhood and building and have saved money by staying put and reimagining their space, rather than moving.
