Today’s post is a cautionary tale in which I aim to scare you laceless and then send you on your way.

Let’s get into it, hey!

What Is It?

Undefined space is any area that lacks a specific function.

For the purposes of this article, we’ll also expand that definition to include spaces whose set up you consider to be transitional/ temporary, areas that are easily concealed and/or sealed off, areas you don’t spend noteworthy time in, as well as spaces whose function is rarely necessary.

It might be as small as a couple of shelves, or as large as a whole room or floor.

So Like Gimme Some Specifics.

Undefined space can occur anywhere, anytime. But the usual suspects include:

– Spare bedrooms

– Upstairs lofts

– Storage areas (Basements, garages, etc)

– Sun/screened in porches

How Does It Happen? 

– Move-Ins

Undefined space commonly occurs from the get-go, which means around the time you’re moving into a new place. That’s when you’re establishing which spaces will be devoted to various activities and belongings. That’s also when you’re a tad overwhelmed by the prospect of moving, wanting desperately to be settled, and possibly even considering poking your eyes out at the sight of another cardboard box.

And so you default because you’ve reached your capacity on the ability to make decisions, apparently. And you dump it all in there.

– Commitment Issues 

Undefined space can also be the result of being non-committal:

You’re not ready to officially name that room “guest room” yet and so in the interim…

You’re not sure what you want to use those shelves for yet and so in the meantime…

You think you want to make that downstairs space a rec. room but haven’t had the time to think about converting it and so until that happens…

YOU HAVE SOME SPACE TO PLAY WITH AND YOU’RE PROCRASTINATING DOING WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE, GIVING YOU SPACE TO SHOVE SHIT BECAUSE IT’S NOT LIKE IT’S TAKING UP SPACE YOU’RE USING RIGHT NOW ANYWAYS AND EVENTUALLY BLAH BLAH DOT DOT DOT.

– Spare Me 

If it’s a space whose actual function is rarely called upon, there’s a high likelihood that the space is question is actually undefined.

If you have a guest bedroom but only have guests come to stay two or three times a year, you’re left with a whole lot of time when that room’s purpose isn’t being utilized, nor does it need to be. This gives you permission to use the space as a catch-all.

So Whaddu I Do? Help! 

The way to avoid having undefined space is to define it.

It is not overly stringent nor in any way anal retentive (I’m being serious) to assign every surface, shelf, room, or floor a specific purpose. That purpose should be:

-Active

If it’s a guest bedroom seldom used for hosting guests it needs an alternate use in the meantime that renders the space usable and presentable.

Make it your “reading room” the majority of the time and let it moonlight as a guest room. Make it your meditation space every day unless visitors abound.

-Present

You may have grand visions for your space, complete transformations that are entirely plausible and not your priority right now. That’s great. Hold onto those visions. Realize that your actively using the space for a different function/in a different way from your ultimate goal does not in any way deter those dreams from coming to fruition. If anything, it furthers them.

It might not have the furniture you hope to one day invest in. It might not have those new walls just yet. But it’s space that’s yours in all its glory and the only thing that makes sense is to use your available resources, do the best you can, and ensure it serves you now instead of becoming a graveyard of delayed decisions you’ll have to face later.