Happy Monday! I’m wishing everyone a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow on this beautiful St. Patrick’s Day.
The post I shared last week about Nate Berkus and his skill of decorating small spaces couldn’t have been timed any better. I’ve got a real life small space challenge on my mind.
Do you remember when you went off to college and stepped into your dorm room for the first time? All I could think was how small the space was and how in the world was I ever going to fit all my clothes into that closet. My dorm room looked a little like this.
Living in a dorm room was my first experience with small space living. My roommate Kathy and I decorated our dorm room as best we could–hung posters, rearranged furniture and added a rug. It was a pretty space but no where close to how dorm rooms are looking these days.
Dorm rooms today maximize every square inch of space, have style and personality and have all the comforts of home.
Anyway, this post is not about dorm rooms. It’s about living large in a small space and about my brother.
My brother recently accepted a Vice President position at George Washington University in Washington DC and will be making the move from suburban Louisville, KY to downtown Washington DC. Having lived in the suburbs all his life, he is looking forward to living in the city and experiencing what urban living is all about. One of the biggest changes he is going to have to adapt to is leaving a big house with square footage for a small city apartment that will most likely be less than 1000 sq. feet.
Here’s one of the apartments he has looked at so far, measuring 625 sq. feet with this floor plan. Yes, hard to believe you can get two bedrooms in 625 sq. feet.
And here’s a model unit in the same building fully decorated.
In talking with my brother I’ve let him know that living in a small space does not have to mean a cramped and crowded space, if you use the space wisely. To help him find the best place possible, I’m planning a trip to DC in a few weeks to do some house hunting with him and help him see the potential of small space living.
Here are some of small space decorating ideas I’ll be sharing with him.
DOUBLE THE FUNCTION OF YOUR FURNITURE
Putting a table behind your sofa is a smart idea in a small space. The table can serve as a workspace, a dinner table and even a serving station when entertaining. A chair can tuck easily under the table and becomes additional seating when needed.
A coffee table that offers top and bottom storage allows items to be accessible yet put away. Using baskets on the lower shelf makes storing all types of items a possibility.
Large sturdy baskets also make great side tables and provide added storage. A tray on top of the basket makes the surface useful for accessories and comes in handy for serving.
GO UP
No matter whether your home is large or small, decorating vertically is a smart design idea. Use tall bookcases to flank doors or anchor seating areas so that items are close at hand. You can also build lighting into your bookcases which won’t take up valuable tabletop or floor space.
via
LIGHT FROM THE CEILING DOWN
To save tabletop space hang a light fixture instead of using a traditional tabletop lamp.
Wall mounted light fixture are another stylish and space-saving option.
MAKE IT MOBILE
Where possible buy furniture on casters so that it can be moved around to open up the space. I love the idea of a coffee table or ottoman on casters.
Because this ottoman is on caster it makes accessing the pull-out sofa (another space-saving solution) quick and easy.
GO DOWN UNDER
Often times when we are decorating we overlook the space under furniture, under built-in cabinets or kitchen islands. Utilizing this space to hold additional seating or keep furniture out the way can be a real space-saving feature in a small apartment. Small backless stools tuck under the counter ledge and keep that area open. And don’t you just love the idea of the mirror down low. It adds light and makes the room feel larger.
design by Sarah Richardson
Placing ottomans under a console table adds extra seating in a small space. And if they are storage ottomans you get even more bang for your buck.
The list of small space decorating ideas goes on and on.
Space saving ideas for the closet…
Space saving ideas for the kitchen…
Creative Ways to Use Wall Space…
Space saving ideas in the laundry room.
I can’t wait to check out apartments in DC, see the cherry blossoms in bloom and share small space decorating ideas with my brother. His new adventure is going to be fun for me too!
Great advice Shelly. I love the ideas and they can work in bigger spaces too.
Did you get my note regarding lunch? I left a comment on your blog because your email address kept bouncing back to me.
Great tips and tricks for us smaller space dwellers!