Designing for Small Spaces

(Bacall settee from One Kings Lane)Small spaces are challenging to decorate not just for homeowners but also for designers as well.  But I’ve always found that you can come up with the most interesting solutions without sacrificing style or comfort. It just requires an adjustment in scale and how you shop for furniture. 

First, eliminate those visions of sectionals and oversized couches.  While they’re great to lounge around on, they’re really meant for lofts or large houses. Instead envision settees, loveseats or sofas that are smaller in scale such as those here. Above is the Bacall settee, only 50” wide, great for those small living rooms.   

(Prescott coffee table from the Foundary) (Prescott table from the Foundary)Second, you should find furniture that does double duty or even triple duty.  For instance, the Prescott coffee table above has pull-out seating that also hides storage.  When not in use, the ottomans hide under the coffee table to become one compact piece. The Avery bed from Room and Board is a lovely platform bed with a hideaway drawer underneath to store away those thick comforters and extra sheets.

(Avery Bed from Room and Board)Another way to furnish a tight space is to lift the furniture off the floor and have them hang on the wall. If you need a desk, take a look at Prepac's floating wall desk.  With the advent of flat screens or laptops, you don’t need as much desk top. 

(Floating desk from Prepac)Also look out for furniture that can expand and contract to a small footprint.  The Span Gateleg dining table from Crate and Barrel is a great example of expanding furniture. When folded partially, you can use it as a desk and when you unfold it, you have a dining table for four people. It also folds completely to a small case that can be stored away if you don't need it.

 (Span Gateleg Dining table from Crate and Barrel)

Interested in learning more about space planning? Take a look at Sheffield School's Complete Course in Interior Design. At Sheffield, you'll learn how to transform a space, create color schemes, and select furniture, lighting, and accessories.

Comments

[Robi]

Awesome post,nice decoration and perfect collection

[Samantha]

Great article my friend!! It would be great if we could all fit a ten-seater dining table into our homes, but that not a reality for most of us.

[Dinng Room Tables]

It's very tricky to arrange small spaces in the way that fully utilize its potential, you've got some nice examples on pictures above, however I'd personally put the desk on the second image down in opposite way - chair space towards the room, to save even more space.
The problem is that sometimes customers buy furniture prior to ask designer to arrange their space and those sets basically don't fit :)

all the best
Zoe

[Furniture in Niagara]

Yes, multi functional furniture and scale is paramount to cozier spaces shall we say.

Borrowing a concept from boating - Calligaris has a tri level lift top table (and folds out) where it can be a coffee table, a desk, a dining table or for 2, 4, 6 or 8 guests.

If one's needs change, it can be moved into a bedroom or office and used as a desk.

Quite remarkable - thought it might be a nice fit for your blog.

Model CS/5041-G (G black or W for white)

[Sheena Lopez]

Agree with Zoe. It is extremely hard to decorate small spaces. you will need the correct sized furniture to be able to come up with a space that is elegant and at the same time still have some space for people to move around. +1 on these great tips you gave us Alexia! :)

[Sheena Lopez]

Agree with Zoe. It is extremely hard to decorate small spaces. you will need the correct sized furniture to be able to come up with a space that is elegant and at the same time still have some space for people to move around. +1 on these great tips you gave us Alexia! :)

[Mark Grabowski]

Love the approach! Great pictures to showcase how to decorate for a smaller space.

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[Alex]

You must see this different small apartment design;
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i think followers will like this different style too.

[Terence]

Proslat Wall Storage Is Great for small spaces allowing you to hang everything you can image on any wall in garage, laundry room, gardening shed and so on!

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[James]

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