Guest Picks: Stylish Furnishings for Small Spaces
Maximize square footage in a small apartment or house with space-conscious sofas, tables, benches and more
I design a lot of small spaces in the Boston area, where square footage is both precious and outrageously priced. I enjoy the challenge of making the most out of every square foot. This is a collection of items for smaller homes that I have either used or am looking at using for current projects. — Stephanie from SabbeSpot
Foundry Console Table
In most city apartments, if there is any sort of entryway, it is very, very narrow. I love this console table by CB2. At 10 inches deep, it would work in a 3-foot wide entryway without overcrowding the space.
Flip Around TV Wall Mount
I go back and forth on whether I want to see a TV or think it's overwhelming in a small home. I think this would be a great solution. It flips around to a picture frame you can fill with art.
Reese Sleeper
If you live in the city and entertain overnight guests at all, I think a sofa bed is a given. It's so much nicer than having someone sleep on an air mattress. Plus, most people will fold it up when they wake up, as opposed to an air mattress, which stays inflated in your living room all weekend long — my personal pet peeve.
Modern Sleeper Sofas
I have used this sofa in a couple of projects this year and love it. It sits super comfortably for a sleeper.
Carlton Sleeper Ottoman Nailhead Detail Detail, Shiny Brass/Honey
This Duralee ottoman turns into a twin bed. Great idea!
Bestå TV Storage Combination
This media console from Ikea is such a great piece for a small apartment because it provides a good amount of hidden storage for the amount of space it takes up. It is also really easy to jazz up with nice hardware or a stone or wood top.
Lack Wall Shelf, Birch Effect
I think these floating shelves are a nice pairing with the entertainment unit. You get the built-in media center look for a fraction of the price.
Silverado Rectangular Dining Table
For really small apartments, I always encourage clients to go with glass-top dining tables (if the upkeep makes sense). They are not the easiest to keep clean, but they are the least visually cumbersome option. Plus, you can show off a mixed selection of seating, which is one of my favorite dining room design solutions.
Strut Sheesham 70" Work Table
Selecting a table that has recessed legs (not on the four corners) allows you to slide furniture fully underneath when not in use, allowing more room for adjacent spaces.
Varanasi Stool
This stool would be great underneath a glass table. It has a small footprint and a fun graphic pop.
Parker Upholstered Dining Bench
Benches are great for sliding under dining tables but can sometimes be heavy to move. I like this little guy by World Market because of its tiny casters and tiny price.
Allen Stool
I have used these stools in a couple of projects. They are great because you can use them at counter height, or you can spin them down to work at table height if you have a large dinner party and need extra seating.
Peekaboo Clear Console
This little acrylic table would look great in an entry foyer with a little stool underneath, and it could also work as a laptop station.
Micke Desk, White
I think this small desk from Ikea is great. It has clean lines and a cable grommet, which makes cord management so much cleaner.
White Roll-Out Desk
I just used this desk in a project where the owner only had room for a desk next to her bed, and she had a desktop computer. It's compact but can be expanded to provide a nice amount of workspace.
Definitively Modern Swing-Arm Wall Lamp
On the same project, I used two of these sconces over the bed because there was no room for bedside tables or lamps.
Adjustable Arc Sconce
I use swing arm sconces fairly frequently in small city apartments. Even if there is room for bedside tables, having the light on the wall allows for more usable space on the table. I also try to use paper or fabric shades, something that lets the light fill the room and not just create a spotlight over the bed corner — if that makes sense.
Kohler Single-Door 20-Inch Aluminum Cabinet With Vintage Mirrored Door
Kind of like a sofa bed being a given in the living room, I think a medicine cabinet is a given in the bathroom for small city apartments. When space is limited, why would you not use one?
Modern Bathroom Sinks
I've used this sink on top of a custom enclosed base. It takes up the same amount of space as a pedestal sink, but has a cleaner look and allows for storage below.
Saile One-Piece Compact Elongated Dual-Flush Toilet
Compact toilets are a must. I love this model by Kohler with clean lines and dual flush functions.
Next: 11 Design Ideas for Splendid Small Living Rooms
Next: 11 Design Ideas for Splendid Small Living Rooms