Styling Small Spaces

Small rooms reward furniture that folds, stacks or does more than one job. The aim is not to own less, but to give everything a place.

Go vertical

Tall, narrow bookcases store more per square foot than low units and draw the eye upward. A ladder shelf leaning against the wall takes almost no floor space and still holds books, plants and baskets.

Let furniture multitask

An end table that is also a pet crate, a bench with a shelf underneath, a kitchen cart that works as extra counter space and rolls out of the way. Each one replaces two pieces.

Choose pieces that fold

Tray tables, director chairs and luggage racks come out when guests arrive and go back in a closet afterwards.

Keep the palette calm

Two wood tones and one accent colour are enough. Repeating them makes a small room feel considered rather than crowded.