My Style

“How to Live in Small Spaces” (Firefly Books, 224 pages, $29.95)  has just been released. 

Sir Terence Conran, is one of the world’s leading designers, furniture-makers and retailers and in this wonderful book he shares detailed, practical information on how to get the most out of every inch of small space living.

The book is packed with tips on how small scale can still contain big style. His strategies include built-in storage, conversions of attics and basements, using under-stair areas, halls and landings, use of multifunctional furniture, small-scale appliances and much more.

There are also case studies from Paris, London, Tokyo, California and New York that shows you how to put the theory into practice.

Here are a few tips from the books to whet your appetite.

1. Keep the floor as clear as possible. This is one of the most important ways of maintaining a sense of spaciousness. While this obviously requires proper storage systems so that books and belongings are not sitting in heaps all over the place, it also means erring on the side of under-, rather than over-furnishing. Freestanding pieces of furniture devour floor space and may do so without providing sufficient practical benefits.

2. Do your homework before buying furniture. If you are intending to buy a large piece, particularly a sofa or a bed, make sure you make and consult scale drawings to ensure the item will fit in the allotted space, and equally important, fit through the door. If in doubt, take your drawings to the store and ask for advice.

3. Think about what you really need. One or two comfortable sofas may represent a better use of space than cluttering up the living room with armchairs, occasional chairs and side tables. Floor cushions and ottomans make good additional seating, he adds.

4. Opt for built-in storage as much as possible. Freestanding storage furniture is bulky, visually intrusive and creates dead space around it.

5. Less is more but smaller is not always the answer, he says. While some sofa designs are simply too big for a given space and appear too dominant as a consequence, small-scale pieces may not provide the comfort you require and can give your home the look of a doll’s house.

Bringing the outside inside has been a major trend in decorating over the last decade.

One frequent mistake when decorating outside areas like decks and terraces is using pieces that need to be brought in and out every time you want to use the outdoor space.

Design your outdoor rooms with decorative objects and furniture, and even pillows, that do not have to move. Granted, you might choose not to keep the summer pillows outside in the winter but for most of the year in a warmer climate, a well designed outdoor room would not have to be changed.

Many chairs are actually built and designed as outdoor chairs and can be left outside all year, since they are constructed of teak, foam seat

One expensive item, whether it’s an antique urn or paying the extra cost to use real stone for your terrace, will make any outdoor space feel like a luxury.

Tulips, orchids, gladiolas and roses are some of my favorites but if you want an instant splash of color, go for a vase of daisies.

Clean out your fireplace, put away the firegard and get rid of old charcoal and ashes.  Fill the space with decorative candles or a potted plant.

Welcome in spring with throws, pillows and rugs in whites and brights.

Rearrange the furniture in living rooms to look toward the outdoors instead of being focused on the fireplace or tv. 

Clear winter out of your garden and plant some spring flowers and shrubs.

Have the outside windows cleaned so you can take full advantage of the spring and summer light and sunshine.

Recently I heard about a woman who brought a 187 square foot condo and wanted to decorate it in grand style.  While not everyone would share this homeowner’s tolerance for small spaces, smaller living can improve your financial health, disabuse you of the need to acquire things, and put you in the heart of a city. Living with less means using less and that’s an environmentally-sustainable way of living.