Use This Simple Piece To Keep The Privacy Of Your Condo
Maintain the solitude of your home even when you have guests come over with the help of this fuss-free piece
One perk of living solo is that you are free to invite your friends to come over anytime, without worrying about bothering anyone. But how do you balance entertaining your guests and making them feel comfortable with maintaining the privacy of your space?
Q: I live alone in a 21sqm studio-type pad in Makati City. Please give me advice on how I can maximize my space in an inexpensive way. I want to be able to accept visitors but still keep my privacy intact. Since my place is so small, when I receive visitors I feel as if I am also making them stay inside my bedroom, which is really very private for me. It’s one reason why I rarely ask my friends to come over. –Lani
A: The fun in living alone is having the freedom to have friends over whenever you want! So, let me first address your privacy concerns. Separate your pad’s private, personal spaces like the bedroom and your work area from your living area and kitchen by using screens. You can go for the more traditional latticed oriental screens that you can buy at tropical-Asian furniture stores or at antique shops—or you can go for the unusual. Muslin drapes, paper banners, and even shower curtains (with the proper design, of course) can screen off your bed from the rest of the room.
In order to maximize your space, try to look for multi-functional furniture. I’ve seen stylish but affordable sofa beds in the department store of SM Makati. Also, if you can’t find seating with built-in storage compartments, provide extra seating by putting big pillows on the floor you can put away when not in use. –Lilli Beth Gelvezon, architect
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This snippet originally appeared in the May 2006 issue of Real Living Magazine.
