Tiny Bungalow Space Dilemmas

last year

We are slowly upgrading our 1,100 sq ft bungalow. Living room furniture and a better kitchen table/light situation is next on our list, but I am struggling to pick furniture and lighting for a narrow, open concept space! Is banquette seating the answer for the kitchen? Can I pull off a larger sofa with a chaise and a smaller ottoman?? What kind of kitchen table light fixture won’t look out of place? It would be great to host more than just my husband and myself for dinner 😉. Any help is appreciated!

*would love for the dog stairs to disappear but my tiny dog has no interest in jumping on things

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Comments (5)

Lyn Nielson
last year
tight, for sure. you definitely have room for a larger dining table if you remove the existing one. I'd go for a 30' tall table, prefer my feet flat on the floor. a banquette is too permanent, not flexible when needed. if you need more work space in the kitchen, a long slim table that you can pull out when hosting. the light fixture is fine, unless you want something to make a statement.

I would also sacrifice the front window to move the TV to eye level. you could move the desk/table and set the TV on top in front of the window.

Keeping the Fireplace/TV as your focal point, but still see the TV from the kitchen.

look for petite furniture, with low backs. with multi use, storage?
Kendrah
last year
last modified: last year
Can you draw a little plan - doesn't have to be fancy - that includes all of the measurements of this space, including doors and windows, jutting out areas of the walls. We can't really help you figure out what fits without that.

I have lived in many small spaces. Here are some furniture tricks that always work no matter the space:

FURNITURE TYPE

Get furniture that is lower to the ground.

Has legs that you can see with open space.

Has shorter arms and narrower arms - looks less bulky.

Has a tight back - not as many lose cushions.

Check out this short video of Amanda Seyfried's apartment. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/lDZ76KAbOnk

SOFA

Her living room is small and has a sofa with a very short chaise. (Notice it is low to the ground, has skinny legs so you can see underneath. It faces her TV, which is behind that wall of doors.) If you got a circular ottoman that has legs then you maybe, maybe could fit and ottoman and chaise.

CHAIRS

I have had a lot of dinner parties in smaller spaces and it is nice to have appetizers, drinks, and desserts while sitting in the living room area instead of at a tight table. I'd get two arm chairs and place them closer to the fireplace, on an angle facing the sofa. It will be nice seating for drinks and dessert. Plus you could pull them to face the TV if you have people over and want to watch something. I don't think the console table with the picture frames is serving you well.

TABLE

Remove the counter height table and stools. Get a drop leave table. Have it pushed up against that wall and set up for seating for two regularly. Then when guests come, pull it out from the wall and put up the second leave.
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Sigrid
last year
You could get a drop-leaf table that fits where your existing table fits now, but can be pulled out to seat more in that space, with some folding chairs. It will be cozy and the table will block passage between the kitchen and living room when in use, but after dinner, clear it off and drop a leaf for apres-dinner passage.
njmomma
last year
last modified: last year
Look for apartment size furniture. There is such a thing. Then use painters tape on the floor to plan out your seating using measurements for apartment size furniture
always1stepbehind
last year
I like the idea of a drop leaf table. You could also do a rectangle table with a bench pushed up against the wall like your current table. pull it out away from the wall when you have company.