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Design Request for Small Apartment

4 years ago

My son will be moving in a one bedroom apartment that has a limited space for a combined dining and family room. All areas are carpeted other than the kitchen and the bathroom. He prefers to keep his bedroom mainly for resting and quiet times. Outside his bedroom, he would like to have a big table that is multifunctional for his work. He is a minimalist and prefers contemporary pieces that are non bulky. It will be a blank canvas as he wants to buy new furnishings. I appreciate any ideas!

Comments (9)

  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Like a large dining table ? Ia mnot sure what you are asking. Does he need a TV how many seats in the FR and how many at the dining table . We need more info like what is his work?

  • 4 years ago

    Thank you Patricia for your immediate follow up! Amazing community! I didn’t realize that my son is already in talks with a local designer when I posted this and I couldn’t find a way to remove my post after the fact. I am new to this and still figuring out how the app works. I will no longer need assistance as he took care of it on his own. Thank you! I am to figure out how to delete this post as it is an inconvenience to other. Sorry about that!

  • 4 years ago

    Patricia is right - we don't have enough info. For my work I need a large computer monitor. You would want anything that is wired to be against one of the walls vs facing the room. If he is 100% wireless this may not be a limitation. I have a 5' desk and it works well for me, but I have had positions where I needed 10' of desk space with multiple monitors.


    He could do a long desk in front of the window and have ample space for seating, but it won't lend itself to a traditional dining table and chairs. He may not often need a dining room. Many young people eat while sitting on the sofa and watching tv vs sitting at a table.


    He could fit a small table with chairs that tuck completed underneath along with a sofa and a couple of chairs.


    Figure out what his needs are first. Needs a 5' x 18' desk that can be against a wall or an 10'x 3' workspace that can be accessed from both sides is probably the first thing we need to know.

    Does he need tv/living room seating for 1-2 people or 3-5 people. Does he need a sofa or would 4 chairs work just as well. Wants a separate dining table or can use desk or coffee table for eating.




  • 4 years ago

    Thank you Jennifer for the feedback! As I have mentioned, my son had already commissioned a local designer. However, I think you are on point to what he was thinking as he doesn’t think a ‘dining’ set up is important. I will definitely pass along your ideas as they seem to fit his needs, like have a long desk against the south wall to accommodate his dual screen monitor set up, and have a convertible full sofa bed across the other wall, keeping the window open as he has a wonderful view. He doesn’t want a TV set up so that works. So grateful for all the suggestions!

  • PRO
    4 years ago





  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    If he does Zoom meetings, I would put this MCM table in front of the window so he has good natural light on his face. A lightweight set of stacking or folding chairs can be kept in one of the closets for when he entertains and needs to seat people for a meal. If he rarely entertains that way, he can simply rent chairs if he has a party. This table weight 119 lbs. so is light enough to move pretty easily if he would want it nearer the kitchen for easy serving.

    Coaster Malone Mid-century Table, Dark Walnut 105351 · More Info

    Pair it with a sofa like this (comes in two sizes, 20+ colors) and he could stain the legs to match the table. Then add a funky swivel chair and get a TV stand for the recessed "south" wall that can later serve as a buffet/sideboard/dresser when he moves to a larger place.

    Lawson Apartment Size Sofa, Navy, 68"x34"x32.5" · More Info


    Beckett Swivel Chair, Distressed Blue With Chrome Legs · More Info


    Leather Swivel Cocoon Chair, White · More Info


    52" Mid, Century TV Console, Walnut · More Info


  • 4 years ago

    I wasn't sure if the window would work for the desk space. A view is great, but the sun beating on you and your electronics isn't always a good idea.


    I like the idea of having the desk on the south wall and the tv across from it. He could do a small table with a couple of chairs near the window where he could sit and have coffee in the morning or play some cards with a friend in the evenings.


    I like swivel chairs that can be facing the living room or the window depending on what way you want to face. If he is like me and often at the desk incredibly long hours he needs a really good desk chair. You need to be comfortable.


    Why a sofa bed? How often does he have overnight guests? Sofa beds are incredibly uncomfortable and he may be better with a sofa someone can sack out on comfortably and an air mattress that can be hidden away when not in use for those times when two people spend the night.


    Have him look for furniture with storage. An ottoman that opens can store a blanket or board games. End tables can be hollow or have a small drawer or cupboard. You can put a small tool kit inside a cupboard. Small spaces require innovative ideas for storing excess stuff.


    It is also important that he doesn't drown himself in a sea of neutral. When he says minimal remind him that minimal is not the same as boring.


    Since he doesn't need a lot of furniture it should be good stuff. Add some color with an area carpet and art for the walls and add some color to the chairs. Seeing color actually increases dopamine production and makes you happy. It can also impact your productivity. The most productive environment for someone who does data analytics or programing is going to include blue (not baby blue which is soothing, but some brighter, more saturated blues and a bit of orange. Orange enhances innovation. If he is more of a graphic designer he may want to have more yellows as that helps the creative juices flow.


    Get good lighting. 5000 k lighting is perfect for working. Think tanks use 6000-8000k but for a regular work environment 5000 k will keep his brain engaged. He may want to go softer - 4000k in the rest of the lighting to help him separate from work. When the desk lights go off he is off. Softer lighting comes on and it is time to relax and forget work.


    I have worked from home for about 30 years. It can bleed into your life and you don't realize that you are working way more than you should. Young, ambitious, it is easy to let work be everything. Remind your son that no matter how much he puts into his job, they will replace him with another employee without missing a beat. My mom used to tell my dad to fill a bucket with water, make a fist and plunge your fist into the water, when you pull it out see what kind of hole you left. That is the hole that will be left when you leave your job. She was 100% right.


  • PRO
    4 years ago

    Agree, deep sofa may be more comfortable to sit & sleep on than sofabed.


  • 4 years ago

    Thank you all for the recommendations! I will pass it on to my son. It will be interesting to see what his designer will come up with.

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