Downsizing Your Home with Style: Living Well in a Smaller Space

It is refreshing to see an author expand on some of the same principles used in her previous books and then show how to resolve these problems as a new life stage occurs. I found the author's advice easy to follow, and enjoyed the visuals throughout the book. Even though I am a few years away from downsizing, reading this book has inspired me to start the process now using the tips given by the author. I would recommend it to any homeowner to use whether they are downsizing now, or in the future.

As a southwest Florida interior decorator, this book is so helpful. It offers useful information for those not only downsizing, but for anyone wishing to live a simpler, richer life. Even if you are not planning a major downsize, consider this book for for all of the gems of information that may be used in any home. Once again, Laurie Ward (I am one of her biggest fans) breaks it all down into very practical and doable terms. Her strength in this book is in dealing with all of the emotional aspects of change. Something difficult for all of us. This book is a definite "must" addition for any decorating book collection!

Lauri conquers another decorating issue faced by so many of us today. Whether you're downsizing or trying to get the most from your small space, Lauri applies her oh-so-logical expert advice in a way that is both easy to read and achievable for anyone. What I especially like about this book, besides the spin on her 10 Most Common Decorating Mistakes, is that she realizes most of us are not going to throw out all our things and start from scratch. There are great ideas for how to re-purpose or multi-purpose things you may already have. I also love the product and retailer recommendations. Sometimes its hard to find those pieces designers describe and you wonder if they are just expensive, custom made pieces that are out of your budget, but Lauri points us directly to problem solvers. Can't wait for her next book.

Downsizing Your Home with Style: Living Well In a Smaller Space When My Aunt Mildred recently had a major life-style change and moved into a smaller accommodation, she, understandably, felt overwhelmed. Lauri Ward's sub-title "Living well in a smaller space" caught my eye, especially her quote on the back cover "... strategies you'll need to alleviate your anxiety ..." which turned out to be a perfect and very well received gift for my Aunt. As I also live in a small split-level, I found Lauri's suggestions help relieve our "clutter" and made the small rooms appear more spacious. Ms. Ward's style of writing and decorating appealed to me and I obtained her first book "Use what you have decorating" as an excellent companion to this, her latest.

Most people can relate to the topics Lauri Ward presents in her book, Downsizing Your Home With Style: Living Well in a Smaller Space. In my review, I will focus on her chapters on storage space because of all the very helpful tips in her book, I believe this to be probably the most universally needed. Meaning, we ALL could use help with storage space. We never have enough and that which we do have, often goes underutilized. In downsizing your home, people often make mistakes they could otherwise avoid if they planned their priorities. Do you know how much space you are moving into? Take measurements. Don't rely on memory, Lauri advises, because we all forget things - how big the rooms are, how tall or wide the windows, how many outlets, and so on. The first caveat Lauri gives the reader is to avoid the 10 most common decorating mistakes that people often make (but that you don't have to make). Rule 1: Define your priorities, becuase NOT defining your priorities is a common decorating mistake that will get you in trouble, each and every time. Planning, space allocation, deciding whether you want paint or wallpaper, knowing how to create a comfortable conversation space (and knowing how to avoid creating an UNCOMFORTABLE conversation area - such as a cramped space or one that is like a visual roller coaster of varying focal points - some high, some low - with no uniform focal points) and avoiding too many pieces of furniture in a small space - all these are problems that are easily avoided with good planning. Lauri has great photos that show what to avoid and how to fix these problems. These are real gems! She also gives advice on what to always keep - a sofa and two matching chairs, armless dining chairs, ottomans, pedestal tables and drop-leaf tables - what to sometimes keep - love seats, a small desk or writing table, stools and footsools - and what to never keep - unloved or unread books, unused appliances, redundant items, shabby items, worn rugs or shabby furniture. But the sad truth for many of us is we don't have enough storage space - and the storage space we DO have we misuse. So on to Lauri's chapter on The Truth about Storage - You Can Never Have Enough. On the first page of this chapter, Lauri mentions something we all know too well: Even if you live in a very large house, we all grow into the space we live in. Eventually, we run out of all available storage space. Some helpful tips: - If your closets do not have a shelf above the bar, build one. If you have room to build another shelf, build that, also. See if you can use plastic storage containers in your closet to store out of season clothes. - If you have room for an additional hanging bar, this could really be helpful. (Speaking from personal experience, this is a genuine PLUS). - A freestanding armoire in the bedroom can hold many items you may have had in an overstuffed closet. An armoire also separates space that otherwise may be crowded fr