I'd take whichever one is nearer the kitchen. I like to know what's going on in my kitchen. :)

I'd choose the one closest to the kitchen and laundry area, that way you can multi-task, or get in a little sewing while doing other not so "fun" chores.

Lower level. I started with the suite upstairs, to much up and down. I now use smaller bedroom downstairs, very happy with it. Sun fades.

I would go with the one that is on the level where you would be the most. I like large and then I would invest in those natural lights (maybe they are just a advertising gimmic).

Big room. I do most of my sewing in the evening after dark anyway. So, light is not an issue. Stairs are though. If there is a frig and a bathroom on the level of the big room, there would be no reason to surface for long periods of time. Too much light can fade the fabric.

you can put lots into 75 square feet - go big, my dear, go big!

Can you "audition" the rooms before deciding? I know I feel most comfortable in the room I use for sewing, partly because of the natural light and I can also kind of keep an eye on whats going on in the rest of the house. When I got my large sewing cabinet it would have fit better in a different area of the house, but I wasn't comfortable sewing there. Just a thought.

Another vote for the larger room on the main floor! BTW, we want pics of the new sewing space!

ETA: Remember cutting tables, big boards and long arms take up a lot of space :D

Go big, you can always buy lights LOL

Hey, I would use both. The brighter, smaller room for my sewing/quilting and then whatever else I need in the other room.

For example, if you get a long arm it can go in the bigger room.

A guest room [the larger room] can always be functional for when there are no guests.

ali

I love good natural light, so I would choose the smaller, especially because it is still a good size, not really tiny.

My vote is for the larger room! It's nice to have all your stuff organized in one room. You can even put in "dividers" if you need more places to put stuff!

You should set up separate areas for storage, cutting, pressing, piecing, and finishing the quilt. You're going to love it!

Definitely think BIG

I would definitely go for the natural light. nothing beats it
Nina Baker

I'd go with the larger room, if your like me I'm always running out of space & constantly moving things around. Lots of natural lighting options out there.

I'd take the downstairs room if I had to haul my machine to classes/workshops. My room is upstairs and as much as I love the privacy (no one sees the mess but me!), I am getting to the age where moving that machine 2 or 3 times a month up and down the stairs is not something I really relish! I have a Viking Diamond with the huge embroidery unit and that machine is HEAVY!!!

Bigger is better and I don't use natural light much in my sewing room as I'm afraid it will fade some of the quilts and WIP'S hanging everywhere. You won't be sorry, my quilt room is 10X12 and I could use way more room!!

I second this idea!!!

Humm, unless I missed it, is your larger lower level room on the main floor or down more stairs? Your upper level room is obviously upstairs.....so do you have stairs regardless of which room? Do you have any type of physical limitations that would make one room better than the other for you?

Personally, I would choose the larger room so you have room to expand if you need to. You also have the ability to make it a multipurpose room if you enjoy other crafts. You can always add any additional lighting you need and the beauty of that is being able to put the lighting where you want it. There are so many natural lighting products available (ceiling, floor, table type) that your only limit is your imagination. Have a grand time creating whatever room you choose!!!

My sewing room in our former two-story house was upstairs. I spent much of my time running up and down stairs to the kitchen, laundry, etc. This house is only one level so there is no choice, but how much easier life is now on the main level, even though my sewing room is smaller than the other house. I love being on the kitchen level. I can bake, start meals, etc. and still sew as things are in the oven, etc.

Another vote for the larger room on the first floor. I'm not so good with stairs anymore and the less I have to climb them the better I like it. You can set that room up really nice with different stations and if you do need more room......keep your stash upstairs!!! Then you can visit your stash when coordinating fabrics.

To me it would depend on how much quilting supplies you have. Tables, cabinets, storage bins, lounge chairs for relaxing etc. The bigger the better.

I am with you... one for storage, and the other for sewing and quilting!

same thought! lol

I would take the small room with lots of natural light. I sew down our basement and after awhile I just have to get up out of there, lots of room or not. The larger room isn't going anywhere. If you think you would like it more you can always change later. I keep wondering if I could add more windows to my basement room!

Lower level. No stairs. Closer to laundry, kitchen, bathroom?

Make sure you plan where stuff will go before hauling everything in. Plan for ares for books, mags, cutting, storage (a biggie) sewing area, Will you have a comfy chair to look at books, mags to plan new projects?

Have fun. Can you send pics now and after?

This is how I do it!

Thanks for the input everyone!

Both rooms!? I didn't think of THAT!! The shelves in the upstairs room are much nicer for fabric storage than the small shelves downstairs. Plus they are positioned out of the sunlight so I wouldn't have to worry about fading.

There are stairs involved with both rooms b/c our house is a 3-level. It's 7 stairs each way. Taking downstairs nearer the laundry is good choice. I could also put one of those dorm-size fridges down there....and I'd never have to leave the room!!!

Someone mentioned putting mirrors to help with lighting downstairs and works too because my daughter left a bunch of mirror pieces she had in her old apartment so I could make use of those!

Now I'm filled with ideas! You all are the BEST!

Thanks!