How to design a small space ? (II)
In a previous article, we talked about small spaces. We discussed tips for arranging your space by playing with colors, light, and volumes. This topic deserved a second article, so here we are! This second part will provide you with all the advice you need to arrange your small space by choosing the right furniture, because if we hadn't mentioned it in the first part, it is indeed an essential element to consider for this kind of project. Indeed, furniture offers multiple possibilities, and well-thought-out design is the key to optimizing every centimeter of your cozy nest.
I. Arranging a small space: making the most of every cm with custom furniture and layout
How to maximize space under the stairs
Credits : https://www.remodelista.com/
The last point we discussed in our previous article (namely, making the most of the height) leads us to the fourth point, which is inevitably: custom furniture! It is undoubtedly the best ally for small spaces. With custom furniture, you can arrange a space by perfectly adapting to its volume, ensuring not a single centimeter is wasted, regardless of the space in question. Custom arrangements in small spaces are ideal, for example, for utilizing the area under the stairs. This is a space not to be overlooked, as a well-thought-out design can be very useful for additional storage.
For any custom furniture to be optimal, it needs to be designed according to its intended use and the needs of the users. Every detail must be considered, such as whether to include drawers, a wardrobe, open or closed, etc. It must be perfectly adapted to the items it is supposed to store (brooms, shoes, suitcases, etc.).
The arrangement of furniture is also very important. To facilitate movement, it's better to choose round tables and furniture with rounded edges. There are also tips and tricks to know to play with perspectives once again. For example, placing a sofa diagonally in a corner is a perfectly viable solution. While at first glance it may seem like it takes up more space, in reality, it gives the impression of a much more open view of the rest of the room to those who sit there, making the space feel more spacious.
II. Arranging a small space: The magic of smart furniture
Besides custom-made furniture (although smart furniture is often custom-made), in the arrangement of small spaces, we like to use so-called "smart" furniture. These are modular or multifunctional pieces that help avoid clutter by combining design and practicality. To give you a better idea of these types of furniture, here are a few examples:
Sofa Bed
Credits : https://www.manomano.fr/
The sofa bed
Let's start with an example known to everyone, the sofa bed. It has indeed been very popular and is still widely used. And for good reason, what could be more practical than being able to transform your living room sofa into a double bed to accommodate guests? Or integrating it into a student’s room to turn the bed into a sofa when you want to have people over? It’s a huge space saver that combines two very useful functions.
Bench / storage chest
Crédit photo : https://hello-hello.fr/
The bench / storage chest
Ideal for the entryway, it provides seating while utilizing the space to incorporate storage for items such as shoes that take up space in the entry. Overall, the combination of furniture and storage works for many different types of furniture and is always very useful. For example, you can integrate storage under a bed, in a table top, in a stool, in a headboard, etc.
The bookshelf / desk
Credits : https://www.aventuredeco.fr/
The bookshelf / desk
This combination works just as well with a wardrobe as it does with a bookshelf that incorporates a desk. For example, you can imagine a foldable table top that can be opened and closed, or sliding doors that provide access to the desk. In addition to saving space, the ability to close off the desk also helps to clear the visual field, decluttering the space.
The murphy bed
Credits : https://elmenut.com/
The murphy bed
On the same principle, we can take the example of the murphy bed, which involves integrating a bed into a piece of furniture, like a wardrobe, so it can be stored vertically when not in use. This solution is ideal for student rooms, relatively small studios, or rooms where you want to include an extra bed without it being constantly visible (such as a guest room that also serves as an office, for example).
III. Arranging a Small Space: Application
Spaces such as Tiny Houses or converted vans are good examples of spaces that implement some of the points mentioned. Especially custom-made furniture, which is almost indispensable for arranging such spaces, or multifunctional furniture that makes daily life in this type of space much easier. Every interior is different, but in converted vans, for example, you will often see a rear bench that transforms into a bed, providing both seating for traveling and sleeping arrangements for the night, or a neatly stored folding table that seems to come out of nowhere. All these little details are important when living in a confined space. If you've ever tried the experience, you know what we're talking about!
To illustrate the points we've discussed together, here's a Tiny House project designed by Barbara Ibgui, which is a perfect example. This project was born in the Perche Regional Natural Park at the request of a couple who wanted a second home, but not just any home—they decided to create a Tiny House. This dwelling has a footprint of 34m². To save space, the choice was made to create a 6m² mezzanine to accommodate the master bedroom. As you may have noticed, this project incorporates a large number of tips seen previously, such as two large wardrobes in the master bedroom to optimize the space under the sloping ceilings, a large custom-made piece of furniture to make the most of every square centimeter, a kitchen island to divide the different spaces without creating a partition that would create a corridor effect and considerably reduce the visual field, arrangement of the space under the stairs, bunk beds to gain even more space in the children's room, and large openings to the outside to give a sense of spaciousness.
Tiny house
Credits : https://www.barbaraibgui.com/
Bonus: Read More About Small Space Arrangement
The topic of arranging small spaces is fascinating. If, like us, it's a subject that interests you and you want to learn more, here are some media recommendations on the subject.
Beautifully small : clever ideas for compact spaces, Sara Emslie
The book "Beautifully Small: Clever Ideas for Compact Spaces" by Sara Emslie is a real treasure trove on the subject and provided us with plenty of information for writing this article. You will find all the advice you need for arranging your small space.
Never Too Small
The YouTube channel "Never too small": if you follow us on social media, you've probably already heard of it. It's a YouTube channel dedicated to the design and life in small spaces; it showcases designers and their tiny or micro apartments, studios, and autonomous projects. This channel highlights intelligent design to optimize small spaces and rethink the way we live indoors. It's very inspiring content, and each video lasts an average of 7 minutes.
If you also have recommendations on the subject, feel free to share them with us by contacting us or commenting on social media.
Small spaces are fascinating projects because of their complexity. They require ingenuity and creativity to imagine a functional and optimized space. Through these articles, we hope to have covered the main aspects of this type of arrangement, from working with colors, light, and volumes to the details of custom and multifunctional furniture.