What’s the big idea? Maximizing space by thinking small
“Empty nesters flock to downtown Las Vegas” read a recent newspaper headline that caught my attention. The article explained that “walkable, culturally rich urban centers are a huge draw for baby boomers who are bidding farewell to the kids and entering a new phase of their lives.” It explained that “many cities are reporting a trend among buyers who are selling their suburban homes in favor of condominiums in hip, urban centers such as downtown Las Vegas.”
Although there isn’t a mad rush of people moving from the ’burbs to high-rise inner-city homes, there appears to be a trend in that direction. This movement is often referred to as “rightsizing.” Furniture companies such as Décor-Rest Ltd. (which coined the phrase, “Living Large in Small Spaces”) and many others are now offering more designs than ever specially sized for apartment living.
That’s because, depending upon how you look at it, there’s a downside to rightsizing. And that’s space. Or the lack of it, which brings its own set of challenges to those who must downsize — or at least try to get the biggest bang for their buck in a small space.
Downsizing has become a trend as the “new economy” has emerged and baby boomers have aged. This kind of living calls for — as we say in the trade — small-scale space planning that goes hand in hand with apartment-size furniture.
No matter the size of the room, it’s of the utmost importance to pay attention to something that many people do not — scale, which is determined by visually comparing an object to the space around it. The more space your furniture occupies, the smaller the room will seem.
Questions to ask yourself when considering scale might include:
n Does the furniture look big for the room?
n Does it look big compared with the other furniture in the space?
n What’s the least amount of furniture I can use, given that the average size of a high-rise home is generally between 600 and 1,200 square feet?
The limited space probably accounts for the minimalism that’s characteristic in the decor of these apartments. Often, this calls for a kind of design alchemy because it’s so important to conjure up the illusion of space wherein rooms must, by necessity, have more than one purpose.
There are basic design and furniture guidelines fundamental to small-scale space planning. They’ll work for the high-rise home where size and scale are really everything.
The guidelines include:
n Focus on pure geometric shapes. No bulky furniture and no complex forms. Try to use furniture with legs that will allow the space to appear more open.
n Think metal and glass. Coffee and end tables in metal and glass also allow the eye to move through the pieces. End tables that are 20 to 24 inches round are best, whether solid or glass top.
n Go round. Round dining tables should range in size from 42 to 48 inches and are the best shape to use in a limited space while affording the most seating.
n Choose a lighter color scheme. Lighter colors appear to have less visual weight. Cooler colors, such as blue and green, recede giving the impression of a larger space. A small space works best with a three-color (or less) palette. Consider using a monochromatic scheme.
Bare wood floors in lighter wood tones are great for a clean, flowing feeling. Dark floors will often seem to close in a space. Bright colors should be kept to a minimum and are best introduced with accessories.
n Use mirrors. Mirrors can make a small space look larger and function best by reflecting light.
n Encourage your eyes to move upward from the furniture. It’s a good trick and can be achieved by using floor lamps (with small bases no more than 6 to 10 inches), tall mirrors, full-length drapes and even tall branches in containers.
n Match the furniture to the scale of the room. If the room is small, choose smaller scale furniture. Armless chairs, apartment-size sofas, small sectionals, etc., will make a room appear more spacious. Sofa size should average between 74 to 82 inches wide and are referred to as “apartment-size.” Pattern held to a minimum is another good idea.
n Choose multifunctional furniture. A pair of ottomans can double as coffee tables with storage inside. These will measure 18 to 20 inches wide and are especially attractive when mixing two or three different colors, which will help with the illusion of space.
n Keep the color of built-ins light to increase the visual space. Try to leave lots of open space and vary the size and shapes of decorative objects.
n Consider paint shades. Paint the walls a shade that is just a bit lighter than the upholstery of a sectional or sofa that you’re using, which helps the eye to move across the space and not just focus on the sofa.
n Control clutter and keep shelving organized. Avoid the use of too many accessories especially if they’re ornate.
n Layer lighting. Lighting is always important, but especially in a small space. Window treatments should be kept light and airy. Try to have at least four levels of light in a room: natural light, ceiling lights, floor lamps or sconces, and table lamps. Try to have all four corners of the room with adequate light.
Though small-scale space planning presents challenges, it offers a great opportunity to achieve your dream home. Use the space intelligently and be sure to include an interesting mix of materials and textures, a balanced and well-planned furniture layout, pleasing colors and intriguing details.
Do all of that, and your home in the sky will surely tower above those down below.
Stephen Leon is a licensed interior designer and president of Soleil Design; he has been designing and manufacturing custom furniture and cabinetry for more than 25 years. He is past president of the Central California/Nevada Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers (World Market Center, Suite A3304) and is a certified professional in green residential design. Questions can be sent to soleildesign@cox.net.