Same Place, More Space: 50 Projects to Maximize Every Room in the House

by Karl Champley

Master carpenter and DIY Network host Karl Champley offers 50 home improvement projects to maximize space in any dwelling, no matter how big or small. Keeping an eye on style and economy, Champley outlines tools, materials, and techniques for searching out and using hidden-away space to achieve incredible results. Readers will learn how to carve out shelving niches between studs in the wall, tuck more into kitchen cupboards, build hidey-holes beneath floor boards, and much more. The projects range from easy organization solutions to weekend construction projects and more ambitious undertakings. With easy-to-follow instructions for making more out of less, detailed illustrations, and no-nonsense advice on clutter control, Same Place, More Space makes it simple to create a more functional, expansive, and beautiful home without moving or remodeling.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, How To, Interior Design

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2011

About the author

Master Builder, environmental building consultant, Radio host and DIY Network host Karl Champley offers 50 home improvement projects to maximize space in any dwelling, no matter how large or small. Keeping an eye on style and economy, Champley outlines tools, materials, and techniques for searching out and using hidden-away space to achieve incredible results. Readers will learn how to carve out shelving niches between studs in the wall, tuck more into kitchen cupboards, build hidey-holes beneath floor boards, and much more. The projects range from easy organization solutions to weekend construction projects and more ambitious undertakings. With easy-to-follow instructions for making more out of less, detailed illustrations, and no-nonsense advice on clutter control, Same Place, More Space makes it simple to create a more functional, expansive, and beautiful home without moving or remodeling.

Reviews

[Bunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this feeling kind of "pfft" about it. Most of the books that promise projects like this are either way above average skill level, therefore requiring you to pay a contractor to get it done, or just plain don't make sense when you're dealing with a house small enough to need room maximizing. Like, hey, if I had room for that project, I wouldn't need to maximize my damn space.

And when I looked at the list of tools one might need provided at the beginning of the book, my pffffft got even harder. Please. This isn't happening.

But I was wrong. Yes, some of these projects are entirely too difficult for someone like my former roommate, who is pretty damn handy. They're all too difficult for me, I can't even hang paintings properly*. But the ones that work work so well. There are loads of projects in here that not only make sense, but they're spelled out in mostly understandable layman's terms.

I may be a little too interested, though. Like, recessed shelving? SWEET! I want it ALL OVER MY HOUSE. EVERYWHERE. I DON'T NEED INSULATION, GIVE ME RECESSED SHELVES.

Seriously, this book is pretty nifty.

* Then why am I reading books like this? Because I live in a hurricane area and get a "new" house every 5-10 years. Lay off me.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a ton of projects that would be useful for us. And the projects that would work in our new house were not surprising. Though I suppose it's nice to be reminded in case something slips your mind.

[Kadri Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

simple ideas and how to build project on adding storage space to your house

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great home improvement ideas for upcoming home plans even though we are nowhere near bursting at the seams and we are not in dire need of storage. We look forward to implementing the plans for a wall niche and the medicine cabinet as soon as spring rolls around. My husband really wants to try the secret hidey hole as well, but I refuse to tear up the hardwood floors.

[Emelda]

Things that are super awesome and inspiring in this book that I want to do: toe-kick drawers, double vanity, flush-with-the-floor hidey holes, window seat storage, a bookcase, mudroom cubby storage, closet under the stairs, making one room into two. It seems very thorough and informative, but I'll update if and when I get to try some projects out.

[jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has good ideas but we are already doing it or it's just impossible due to the lay-out or size of our wee home. Many of these projects are to create built-in storage space or organization in a pretty large house. It's not geared toward people in small homes.

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

read again in Mar 2016

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's books like this that make me wish that I was handy with tools. That's not the case or I'd make everything in this book.

[Deyara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but of no practical use to me - I rent.

[Tori · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some pretty interesting ideas but some of them seemed way harder than they gave credit for.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could be useful but not our projects right now or their solutions don't work for us for the projects we do have.

[Cortez_jk · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was a book of tips and tricks, but its mostly about construction. still good though... if you have the time and money.