Small Space Solutions – How Custom Furniture Can Maximize Your Living Area
Organizing small spaces can be especially tricky. Look for storage furniture that can be easily tucked away when it’s not in use.
Lighter silhouettes help a room feel bigger and more open, so choose bookshelves, cabinets, and nightstands with thin legs. Try a light symmetry arrangement for your sofa seating, or choose sectional couches that can be altered to fit the configuration of a space.
A Murphy Table
A Murphy desk is a great way to add a workspace to a living area that may not be big enough for a traditional table. It’s easy to find professional, pre-built options that mount on the wall and fold out when needed but can be folded up against the wall when not in use. These types of tables are perfect for small rooms that might feel cluttered with a full-sized table or one-bedroom apartments that would be better served by a space-saving desk that can be put away when not in use.
If you’re a DIY type, there are also plenty of hardware kits to create your own custom wall-mounted desk. It’s a fun project for anyone who loves to build, and you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing that you made it yourself! The design of a wall-mounted desk that transforms into shelves is ideal for modern spaces, and you can style it to match the rest of your decor. It’s a simple way to make the most of your living room, and you can even incorporate a drawer for odds and ends that don’t fit on the shelves.
Those who want to go a little more high-end can choose to have a bespoke Murphy bed with a fold-down table created for them. This type of furniture is ideal for rooms that are used for both work and play, such as studio apartments, home offices, and guest rooms. This Murphy bed and desk combo from Zoom Room is a gorgeous example that features a queen wall bed and fold-down table in a rich, walnut finish.
If you’d prefer a more sleek look for your home office, then this bespoke white Murphy desk is the perfect choice. The sleek, minimalist design of this wall-mounted desk will look fantastic in any contemporary living space and will be easily hidden when not in use. You can even style it with a few decorative items and some fresh flowers to add a bit of visual interest to your space.
A Mudroom/Laundry Room
If you’re tired of muddy shoes, dusty clothing, and piles of laundry that never seem to go away, consider a mudroom/laundry room combo. This space can be a mudroom, laundry room, office, or any combination of these.
While functionality is the most important feature in any mudroom/laundry room, style shouldn’t be ignored. Choose a color scheme and decor that complements the rest of your home and adds visual interest to the room. You can also add a few design elements that make the room feel like more than just a utilitarian hub, making it a great place to welcome guests and keep family members motivated during a busy week of chores.
For a fresh and relaxing look, paint cabinets in warm, neutral colors. In this mudroom laundry room by Missouri-based lifestyle blogger Alexis Andra Austin, cabinetry is painted in Hot Spring Stones by Benjamin Moore to create a crisp, clean, and tranquil vibe to tackle your household chores. A jute indoor door mat helps trap dirt and debris before it makes its way into the mudroom.
Mudroom laundry rooms can quickly become cluttered, so address storage needs immediately. Adding shelving for cleaning supplies, baskets for dirty clothes, and hampers for dirty shoes will help reduce clutter. If your mudroom is small, a custom built-in hutch with a chalkboard surface can double as a family calendar or memo board for quick notes to guests.
When choosing a tile for your mudroom/laundry room, opt for a light-colored option that’s easy to wipe down. In this mudroom laundry room by Atlanta-based designer Lindsey Cheek, mint green tile reflects natural sunlight and creates a crisp, clean atmosphere. A mirrored console table with a plant helps to make the room feel bigger, while gold accents and pale pink wallpaper provide gorgeous continuity.
If you’re concerned about the laundry smell permeating the mudroom, install an exhaust fan that vents outside. If that’s not an option, consider a large window that opens to air out the room when you’re washing or drying laundry.
A Living Room/Dining Room Combination
If you’re living in a studio apartment or you have a small house with open-concept areas, it may be necessary to create a dining room/living room combination. Although many people prefer to keep these two rooms separate, there are some great interior design strategies that can make the transition seamless and stylish.
Start with a unified color palette. Choose a color that will work well with all of your furniture and decor items. This will help the room feel aesthetically pleasing and will minimize the visual distraction caused by different furniture styles and colors.
Then use this color as your main theme and build your décor around it. This will create a more cohesive look and will help to visually divide the space without adding a wall or installing a large divider.
You can also add a defining focal point to your dining room/living room combination by choosing an item that stands out and will catch the eye of those who enter the room. This could be an oversized painting or a unique light fixture. Once you have your focal point, arrange the rest of the furnishings around it to create a defined dining and living area within your larger space.
When arranging your furniture, consider using rugs to help define the dining and living areas. This will help the space look more unified and will allow each area to have its own character. You can also use shelving, light fixtures, and other items to delineate the spaces if needed.
A bistro table is an excellent option for a living room/dining room combo because it will provide extra seating while still saving space. This is especially useful if you have guests staying over who want to dine with you but don’t have much space to spare.
A living room/dining room combination can be an ideal solution for small homes and apartments. With the right planning and innovative home furniture, you can maximize your living area without sacrificing style or functionality. Visit CORT Furniture Outlet to browse our selection of gently-used furniture to find the perfect pieces for your living room/dining room combo.
A Bedroom
While the micro-lifestyle may seem at odds with traditional American ideas of wide-open homes, it’s been a growing trend in many areas. Living in small spaces can offer a streamlined approach with the added benefit of a lower carbon footprint.
Instead of limiting your design choices to condo-sized furniture, try integrating full-size pieces that work well with small spaces. Slender and sleek furniture takes up less visual space, helping the room feel larger. For example, this modern coffee table looks almost invisible as a stylish storage solution in a small living room.
Another way to visually fade your space is to use a neutral palette and white curtains. This simple design trick helps the walls and windows blend into one another and creates a feeling of spaciousness.
When it comes to storage, smart solutions are key. Look for shelving systems that can double as seating, such as this transforming pouf, or opt for designs that can hide the clutter behind doors, like these sideboards. Embracing color in your storage designs can also help to add character without feeling too cluttered or busy. Cleverly zoning your seating area into sections with high shelving and low cabinets can free up floor space for tables, chairs and other seating elements.