Design: Small space solutions

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.

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.

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:
• 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.

Trestle Desk Provided By: Guilford Saw Horse Desk by Bassett Furniture Price: available on Bassett Furniture's website, bassettfurniture.com for $769