emma delon Save Email 8. Cabinets to the ceiling. Why stop a foot short when you can take the cabinets all the way up? Even if you can’t easily access what’s in the top cupboards, in a small space it’s still worth having the storage option. Having ceiling-height cabinets also helps visually expand the space.
1. Small but mighty appliances. Revamped vintage appliances, like the stove shown here (a 21-inch vintage O’Keefe and Merritt), and vintage-look ones, like this fridge (from Elmira Stove Works), can be found in smaller sizes that don’t sacrifice style. High-end makers like Bertazzoni and Viking also make small-space models, so even serious cooks can find something that fits the space and works hard.
over door 9. Custom-fit shelves. Hard to find storage space? Look closely and you may find a few nooks to tuck shelves into. Even 6-inch-wide shelves can be enough storage for toiletries, washcloths and extra soap. Don’t forget to look up, too — a high shelf or two can be a lifesaver if you need a place for extra towels.
“From the couch you can see pretty much everything in the apartment, and you have a great view of the gallery wall above my desk — which I love — and all of the colorful books on the Expedit,” says Clair. Baskets in the bottom of the bookcase serve as extra “drawers.” The clear vase filled with bright pink peonies belonged to Clair’s grandmother.
Wud Furniture Design Save Email Entry Whether you have an open entryway, a narrow hall or a front door that opens into a stairwell, small-space dwellers nearly always have issues with entryway storage. Look for slim, wall-mounted storage, like floating shelves, cabinets and coat trees, to make the most of available space. And in the tightest spaces, wall brackets and hooks are your best friends. Get the guide: Smart Solutions for Nonexistent Entryways
Color Cure Size: 1,003 square feet (93 square meters) Location: Salt Lake City, Utah “I love — no, I need — color and texture,” says Lisa Craighead. She and her husband, Erik (and their cat, Cha Cha), spruced up their downtown apartment with a style Lisa describes as “traveled eclecticness.” “Whenever anyone enters the apartment,” says Lisa, “they instantly relax and glow. There is something about it, something intangible. I’d like to believe it’s my extraordinary design skills, but it is just a special space that has a glow.” In the living room, mementos collected from all over the world tell the couple’s story, while a collection of colorful pillows adds interest against the neutral walls.
5. Swap out home accessories. One of the easiest ways to keep your home feeling current is to tweak a few details each season. Swap out throw pillows, add a cozy folded blanket or layer on a colorful rug. For a cheap and chic update, decorate with fresh branches cut from outside and beautiful, seasonal produce.
If a single space needs to serve several purposes, use area rugs to define the functions, rather than walls or dividers, which stop the eye and make a space appear smaller.
Bigger (5 / 12) When space is tight, always ask yourself: How can I use this room for two purposes instead of one? Here a dining room doubles as a library. It saves space, and nothing warms up a room like a wall of books.
You can see the backyard and patio from the entry. The living room boasts a beautiful fireplace, lots of natural light and hardwood floors. The tin mirror above the sofa, and the one above the console in the foyer, were made for Foydl by a friend. The green coffee table is an old trunk, also gifted to Foydl by a friend. Plants, Ceiling Lighting
paint color Paint: Linen, Restoration Hardware
It’s not that it’s impossible to bring contemporary sensibilities to a cottage kitchen. Soapstone counters, a custom island and a built-in storage wall bring this kitchen into the 21st century without losing any charm. And the espresso maker is the crowning glory.
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