Trying
to decorate your small place? It’s a classic local quandary—we have
small living spaces but big ideas. Those in their 20s and 30s,
especially, want sophisticated dwellings where they can relax, work and
entertain friends. Figuring out how to fit all these different
activities into one-room apartments or small starter homes is a
challenge. However, everyone can create the illusion of more space by
strategically using multi-functional, adjustable, space-saving
furniture.
Here are some items that we couldn’t pass up.
1. Chaise-ing Sleep
The IDO “sofa” is installed on a frame and is actually two armless
chairs, which can be pushed apart, swiveled and opened to become two
armless chaises. Stocked in sand and grey, the sofa or single chairs
can be special ordered in other colors, such as this cranberry red.
INspiration Interiors, $949, sofa, or $499, single chair.
2. Sensible Style
There’s nothing sweeter than the easy-flip Lucca Leather Storage
Platform Bed, finished in chocolate leather. DeZign Home, $1,267
(queen).
3. Office Manager
Drop-lid desks, such as this New Amsterdam Secretary, are a classy way
to hide unsightly bills, stationery and other home-office items. This
piece is made by Bernhardt Furniture, and is part of its Martha Stewart
Signature line called “Turkey Hill,” which is named after one of
Martha’s estates. Every item in the collection is inspired by an
original piece or antique in that home. The secretary is made of
Cathedral Pine, with knotted cherry veneers in an espresso finish, and
the decorative design is made with hand-crafted nickel inlay. C.S. Wo,
$3,390.
4. An Ott with a Lot
The Glen Ottoman by Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams provides extra seating
or a place to set food and beverage trays. Plus, the lid is
spring-hinged, so that stuff can be stashed into the birch-lined
interior. Pacific Home, $1,149. Price includes home delivery.
5. Sit ‘n’ Sleep
Simply styled, with box cushions and skirted with a drop-welt detail,
this Alexa chair-and-a-half transforms into a twin sleeper.
High-density, high-resiliency foam core cushions assure all-over
comfort. Pacific Home, $2,154 slip covered, $2,031 upholstered. Prices
include home delivery.
6. Neat Teak
This 5-foot-long, kiln-dried, grade-A teak table with retractable leaf
can add 20 inches, two chairs and two smiling faces to your dinner
table at a moment’s notice. Bali Moon Hawaii, $1,795 table, $275 chairs
(each).
7. Slide & Stash
Maximize your closet, home-office and pantry space with sliding rattan
or metal baskets. The ClosetMaid baskets can be configured for 6- and
11-inch depths and 18-, 24- and 30-inch widths. Dream Closets Hawaii,
price varies on size and configuration.
8. Hide-Away
Organized Living, Hawaii’s exclusive dealer of ORG-brand organization
solutions, has a wallbed that increases the living space of any room.
The wallbed, with custom add-ons, including cabinets, bookshelves,
custom-topped desks, is the king of space-savers. The bed and its
11-inch mattress disappear into the sophisticated façade of the
surrounding system, opening up a staggering amount of free space.
Organized Living, price varies.
9. Hallway Help
This black-oak-finished O’Sullivan Bench has a padded leather top for
extra seating and two baskets for storage. Great as a bench for the
hallway, foyer, under a window or as a footboard for the bed. City
Mill, $189.99.
10. Cube Control
To help control clutter, use one of these natural woven Abaca ottomans
to stow away small, everyday items, such as pillows, remotes and books.
SoHa, $125 to $195.
11. Four-legged Friends
Nesting tables are affordable, flexible space-savers. These black
Taylor Nesting Tables are great for small homes, because they provide
three tables in the floor space of one. They’re also handy for
entertaining, providing additional room for drinks or hors d’oeuvres at
a moment’s notice. SoHa, $227.
Tips from HH+R
Reflection: Mirrors, glass and high-luster pieces reflect light, making spaces seem bigger.
Built-in Space:
Find coffee tables and desks with built-in shelving or with tops that
can be raised for casual dinners or late-night laptop work.
Transformers:
Choose furniture pieces that can serve more than one function. Try
sofas and chairs that serve as seats by day and beds by night.
Minimalize It: Keeping furniture to a minimum will maximize space. Look for items that can be stacked, nested or collapsed.
