Designer Mary Cook, marycook.com, says her seven fundamentals of design can help you figure out how to maximize your space no matter the size.
- These fundamentals include:
- Function
- Proportion
- Light
- Color
- Pattern
- Ornament
- Demographic or Geographic Objective
Furniture Example: Banquette
- Design Tips:
- To integrate a full dining area into a small space, using a banquette is key. Banquettes can be pushed up against the wall, offering a great space saving option.
- Banquettes offer the option to add chairs if needed, and don't create bulk.
- Banquettes also help divide the room into two separate functions; dining and media
Banquette Provided By:
Quincy Settee by Rowe Furniture available via Chapin Furniture (chapinfurniture.com) Price: $729.00 which can increase with choice of fabric & upholstery options
Example 2: Sleeping
Furniture Example: An end table which will hold several types of fabric examples along with an Arc Lamp.
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Design Tips:
- To integrate sleeping into a small space, the bedding makes the room.
- Stream-lined, functional bedding is integral to creating a space that's still inviting and open to guests.
- An arc lamp is the perfect lighting for a small space. It gives the user the beauty of a hanging light without having to rewire a home and is also easily swing from space to space to allow targeted lighting.
- The Arc Lamp can also serve double duty as a functional piece of art.
- The trestle-style desk is a piece of furniture that has great aesthetic appeal and can easily go from being a work-at-home space to being used as a sideboard for house parties, or later transitioning to be used as a console table if you move to a larger space.
- With its airy openness, it allows a small space to seem larger.
Arc Lamp Provided By: Relaxar Arc Lamp by Lite-Source, Price: available on Amazon (amazon.com) for $193.50.
Example 3: Work/Tech
Furniture Example: Trestle Desk with decor
- Design Tips:
Trestle Desk Provided By: Guilford Saw Horse Desk by Bassett Furniture Price: available on Bassett Furniture's website, bassettfurniture.com for $769