More and more people are being drawn to live in the downtown Jacksonville area.  Lofts, condominiums, and townhomes are by far the most frequently available living spaces for these new urbanites. As such, scores of Jacksonville residents are becoming acquainted with the advantages of downtown life, as well as the spatial constraints that arise when one moves into a loft, condo or townhome. City-dwellers from Los Angeles to Boston have been challenged by the tiny footprints of their living spaces and have come up with many ingenious solutions, and Savannah is following their lead. Much practical information can be garnered from the experience of those who have already lived the ‘loft life'.  Take time to go online and research articles pertinent to living in a small space.

In the mean time, Jacksonville Lofts and Condos has compiled a practical guide to help with the transition into a smaller space.  Choices and opportunities for creative use of a small space abound-so let it be an exciting project and remember to always think outside of the box-even if you are living in one!

                                               BEFORE YOU MOVE

CLEAN- Moving dirty stuff from your old apartment to the new one defeats the purpose of a fresh start. Clean everything before you move it.  If you aren't willing to take the time to clean items before you bring them into your NEW HOME, you are not likely to take the time to clean them once you are settled. You are in a phase of moving out and up, so it's always best to start off with a clean slate. Plus, dusting, scrubbing, washing, folding and packing will put you in the right mindset for the next step of your move into a small space.

CONSOLIDATE-This is the "Use it or Lose It" step, and it is the most important step in your move into a small space like a loft, townhome or condo. With an honest and critical eye, go through your belongings and methodically decide if you really use the item. If you don't use it, it is time to lose it. Experience has shown that if you don't take the time to purge before a big move, you are not likely to take the time to do so after you have moved.

Here are a few suggestions: With clothes, if you haven't worn the article more than 3 times in the past year, donate it to the Goodwill. With canned goods, if you have had them more than 6 months (and you've checked the expiration dates) donate them to a local food bank. Go through linens, towels, and bedclothes and you might just find that it is time to donate the whole lot to the local homeless shelter and start fresh. The same may apply for dishes, flatware, glasses, etc. If you have odd-lots, mismatched pieces or second hand items, this is a perfect time to donate them to a charity.   Then buy yourself a complete set of tableware that is attractive and functional--it will be money well spent.

Furniture is the biggest space-gobbler and again, a critical eye is imperative here. NOW is the time to let go of that overstuffed lounge chair you've been dragging from place to place or that enormous entertainment unit that once held your record player, tape deck, etc.  That family ‘heirloom' might have sentimental value, but it may simply not work in a small space. Consider passing it on to another family member or friend for safe- keeping or think about the next step.

CONSIGN-Some items may have too much real value or be too new to consider simply giving them away.  In that case, consider taking them to a reputable consignment shop, have a yard/garage sale or try to sell the items through an online auction or classifieds list.  Sales of those valuable, underused items can provide you with discretionary cash that could assist with moving costs and setting up your new nest.

Once, you've taken the time and effort to sort out, clean up and hone down your possessions, you can begin to look at actually moving into your new condominium or loft apartment. Look at each item's usefulness carefully and each space as a challenge to maximize its potential

LIVING ROOM-If you are living in a loft apartment it is very likely that your living room will have to be a multi-purpose room. If possible, divide the space into smaller ‘rooms' to designate specific usages. Visible dividers like a bookcase, screen, or draped material can be used. Be sure to use multi-functional furniture throughout. Keep clutter to a minimum by installing shelves to house collections, books, etc.  Furniture on casters, like a table, is easy to move out of the way if necessary and may serve as a coffee table, a work space, or a seat when necessary. An ottoman with a removable cushion can serve as a seat or table as well as storage. The top of a low bookcase or a cabinet can serve as a buffet or serving area during parties. End tables of the same height can be joined together to make a single long table for get-togethers.

Even if you are fortunate enough to have an actual ‘living room' be sure to keep to the mantra, "Less is more."  A condominium is typically a small space and using that space effectively will improve the quality of your life there.  Make sure to use effective storage for CDs/DVDs, books, and electrical equipment. Fortunately, manufacturers are coming up to speed with today's ‘plugged-in' consumers by creating great items that save time and space.  When possible, mount your TV and stereo on the wall to help free up floor space or surface areas. Wall-mounted magazine racks can hold periodicals and files.

Deep shelving can showcase collections, house important but seldom used items and serve as general clutter-collectors to keep surfaces clean. Attach a few hooks under the shelving to hang decorative items or keys. Baskets can be used to collect odds and ends like toys, remotes and keys and then tucked under a counter or onto a shelf.

KITCHEN-If you are doing a remodel, consider using apartment-sized appliances to maximize on space in the kitchen. Smaller stoves, refrigerators and dishwashers free up space that can be used for additional cabinetry and counters, two elements always at a premium in small kitchens. Also, if feasible and practical, it may be most efficient to use wall-hung cabinetry, shallower than counter depth, to serve as your base cabinetry. This requires careful configuration and installation but it can be extremely effective if you are working with a truly tiny space.

Also consider small wall mounted or under the counter appliances like microwaves, coffee makers, etc. Installing a pull-out pantry unit that is designed to fit into a sliver of space is another option.  It can serve as a stowaway area for canned goods or cleaning products in a space that would otherwise go unused. Cabinet inserts designed to separate/organize pots and pans are readily available and worth their cost. Magnetic strips can be wall-mounted to hold large knives, making them readily available and freeing counter/drawer space.

Always attempt to pick table and chair combinations that are flexible and functional. Variable sized tables like drop-leafs or gate legs are best for tight areas and may, by necessity, become an additional workspace. Chairs or stools should be designed in such a way that they are easily stackable, foldable or able to hang from a well-positioned hook in the wall. Fortunately, manufacturers are becoming more savvy to the needs of residents of lofts and condominiums. In recognizing the need for space-saving options, products are becoming increasingly lightweight, durable, AND attractive.

BEDROOM-A bedroom, by definition, is a challenging room for the space-conscious because it has one of the biggest space-gobblers of all-a bed.  If you are living in a loft, you may not even have a bedroom so it is important to either make the room you sleep in a multi-function room, or carve out a designated niche that will be your sleeping area. Metropolitan apartments were once designed with  ‘sleeping alcoves' just wide enough for a twin bed. It is not a bad model to consider, if you have any space that is underused, creating a little relaxation nook within it-for yourself or guests.

In a tiny space, a sleeper sofa, Murphy bed  or a futon  may truly be the best item for a multi-use space. Though not terribly stylish, the products are becoming lighter in weight and more comfortable. Another option is to elevate the bed, mounting it to the wall above eye level, and creating a useable space beneath with a ladder up to the bed. This is a challenging proposal that will appeal to some and not to others, but it is a great way to maximize on space in a small area.

If you have a bed, make use of the floor space underneath. You can purchase pull-out drawers on casters or storage bins designed to slide under the bed to store seasonal clothing, important papers, etc.  Buy closet inserts to maximize on storage space or a free-standing wardrobe on casters that can easily be moved and even serve as a screen, if necessary. Again, the bedroom area is a good place to take advantage of shelves and wall-hung cabinets in order to free surfaces of clutter and to put often used items at easy reach.

BATHROOM-The bathroom in a loft or condo is likely to be a very small, and one crucial step in the bathroom is to organize all products carefully. Keep frequently used items at eye level, either in a wall-hung cabinet or in a shower organizer. Storage towers designed specifically for the area above the toilet, cabinet and drawer inserts and wall-mounted fixtures alleviate clutter in the ‘work' area and maximize the useable wall space. Knobs and hooks can easily be installed for hang towels or robes.  If there is an unused corner, try to fit it with a tall, narrow cabinet that can provide storage for towels, cleaning products, etc. Keep a clothes hamper nearby to keep dirty clothes from cluttering small spaces.

RESOURCES- GO ONLINE, do the research and find out what is out there.  A great place to start is the website for HGTV.  Better Homes & Gardens also offers a site that features unique ideas for that challenging small space. 

IKEA as an excellent resource for space-saving resources.  Stores feature models designed to show layout of small spaces (like 388 sq.ft!) that put the MAX in maximize. Check them out at http://www.ikea.com/ for catalogs, store locations and on-line information. 

Home improvement businesses such as Home Depot and Lowe's offer some good space-saving fixtures.  These are great places to let YOUR imagination run wild. Bed, Bath and Beyond and Target also offer some good space-saving storage options and bathroom accessories.  Walk around and see if you can make some of your ideas into reality. You can find them online as well.

When planning your small space, don't feel boxed in.  You have the whole world at your fingertips.  Take charge of the situation, make it fun and make it yours!