By Nicole Caldwell

Welcome to Nicole, who's trying out for a spot on our editorial team. Enjoy!

Whether you've just bought your starter studio in Manhattan, are converting your garage into a living space, or are just tight on room in spite of high ceilings, remember that sometimes expansion doesn't require growing out of anything. The lofts featured here are great lessons in maximizing—in fact, often doubling—your space without growing out at all. True growth begins within!

Originally published at Re-Nest.com