There aren’t many people who read Sindbad the Sailor during childhood without fascinated by his many voyages across the seven seas. In those days, many of you may have secretly nurtured a wish for a fascinating life like him. But do you still retain some of your childhood fancies about a life on the waves of rivers and seas? Do you still yearn for a life away from the hustles of the city, and to be close to nature?
A lifetime on a boat is not at all impossible and is practiced by many even in our time. Those who have travelled to Belum Temenggor must have already experienced the pleasures of living in a houseboat, although for a short while. You may have relished living in a boat while cruising on Kinabatangan River. Langkawi is certainly one of the most glamorous destinations to go cruising.
But for a longer stay on water how would you prepare your small boat to become a home? What are the arrangements you would need on board? Our today’s post will discuss these points and more!
The answer will widely differ from one person to another, so let us look at some of the very obvious benefits of such an arrangement.
- You can spend time in the lap of nature.
- The question of being hemmed in by the four concrete walls of your home will no longer arise.
- The hubbub of city life will no longer disturb you.
- If you work from home, you will be able to do so in most places.
- You can make arrangements for your entire family, if you would like to do so.
- You can dedicate a portion of every year to sail around if that is what you wish.
Open floor plans are very popular now. City dwellers are making a comfortable living out of one room urban apartments. They are even giving them trendy makeovers.
Managing the available space on a boat would not prove to be so difficult. Consider the available space as one big room and organise it according to your requirements. See how, with the help of Hoyt Architecten, the occupants of this gondola have managed to find a space to build a children’s corner as well. Keep it neat and tidy. Avoid clutter and maintain hygiene.
Be prepared to make small adjustments for a comfortable ambience. Tap into your creative side. Instead of traditional full bed, consider having a bunk bed or berth. Your back muscles may feel little stiff after the first night or so, but you will soon get used to this.
You can also consider spreading thick rugs on floor and sitting, sleeping and even dining on it, Asian style. The houseboats on Dal Lake in Kashmir often employ this method, and luxuriously so.
In this regard, what is suitable for your tiny apartment is also apt for your floating home. Invest in furniture with storage spaces. Buy couches, beds, stools and tables with storage units underneath where you will be able to tuck in your household items.
You will have to considerably simplify your life. But once you have become a seasoned sailor, you will hardly notice any difference.
Having a one wall kitchen is best for a small boat. It would be better to omit a traditional kitchen island -that would take up additional space. Give your one wall kitchen a stylish makeover, though. Take adequate precautions to prevent mould and mildew. You can buy specific sodium carbonate solutions manufactured for this purpose and spray it onto your kitchen furniture and fabric.
Avoid having canned food that may deteriorate in such high moisture conditions. Instead, learn some of the delicious local fish recipes. This is something you will be able to get fresh everywhere you go. The stylish kitchen in front of you is planned by Nautilus Hausboote Gmbh.
You need not sacrifice your work life in order to spend time on a boat. Build a small home office in a corner of your bedroom or living room and you are free to work from there. Use makeshift furniture like folding chairs, table that can be pulled from wall or doubles up as a shelf to decorate the space.
Do not forget to make sufficient arrangements for lighting. Between your busy work schedule and sightseeing, remember to maintain a journal. Perhaps one day you would like to publish your experiences in a book and inspire thousands of others to indulge in a life like this.
For more interior ideas, learn how to decorate your living area with beautiful curtains like these.