Ebin - Pub Never Too Small Essential Guide To Your Living Room

Never Essential guide to
Too your living room

Small
Contents 1. First steps 6 5. Storage 62
Be frank 8 Floor to ceiling units 65
Layout 9 Wall mounted shelving 67
Budget 10 Savvier storage 68
Be open minded 10 Storage tips and tricks 69
2. Finding your 6. Awkward spaces 71

style 12 Tiny entrance 74
Passageways 78
Mood boards 15
Corners and alcoves 79
Colour 18
Staircases 81
Looking up 83
3. Defining zones 23
Furniture 25 7. Lighting up your
Doors and curtains
Colour
27
30
living room 84
Materials and finishes 31 Accent lighting 87
Lighting 32 Task lighting 87
Creating levels 33 Ambient lighting 88
Making it work 33 Lighting tips and tricks 89
4. Furniture 35 8. How to make your

Choosing a sofa and furnishings 37 space feel bigger 91
Choosing other furniture 40
Reducing visual clutter 94
Choosing multifunctional 43
Mirrors 96
Upcycling/second hand 50
Materials and colour 99
DIY 52
Paint 101
Rugs 54
Flooring 102
Curtains 59
Sliding and folding doors 104

Contributors
Mariah Burton Nicholas Gurney Jack Chen and Hidy Wong

FOLK STUDIO NICHOLAS GURNEY TSAI DESIGN
Mariah is a Sydney based interior designer Nicholas specialises in transforming and Jack leads a small team of designers and
who first entered our orbit in 2020 when enhancing small spaces, with eight of his architects at Tsai Design out of Geelong and
we featured her CHIPPENDALE HOME (Ep 43) projects featured on NTS since 2018 (and is the architect behind one of our most viewed
on NTS. She is co-director of Folk Studio, many more to come - we hope!). These projects - TYPE ST (Ep 10). Jack and his team
a boutique interior design and styling include one of our most popular episodes are drawn to challenging projects and driven
studio focused on residential spaces and to date - THE WARREN (Ep 23). by a desire to realise the full potential of these
beautiful interiors. spaces, from small-footprint apartments to
Nicholas’s approach is heavily influenced houses in tight, narrow blocks. Integrated and
We love that Mariah and her team sight people by his background in Industrial Design but multifunctional furniture is often a resulting
as their principal source of inspiration - “not informed first and foremost by the needs feature and their award-winning DROP LEAF
Pinterest”. Their end goal is to design spaces of his clients. The results are highly functional TABLE - a beautiful and flexible table designed
that make people feel a sense of tranquillity, and innovative, with a focus on the clever for confined living - is one of their latest
purpose and joy and a confidence that their organisation of space. Nicholas, like us, projects. We are delighted to have worked with
space reflects who they are. is a passionate advocate for small-footprint both Jack and Hidy from Tsai Design to craft this
living and through his designs, seeks to guide.
TIP Look out for Orange text throughout
3
this guide as they are clickable links to our challenge notions that it is characterised
videos,
websites and other resources. by constraint and compromise.
IMAGE CREDIT Barton Taylor Photography
4
Hello and Perhaps the most delightful thing about doing
what we do at NTS is all the inspiring and generous
people we get to meet. Within the pages of this
welcome to our guide, we feel privileged to share with you the

insights, expertise and trade secrets from some
guide to living
of our most valued collaborators. This is gold dust
to us and we hope it will be of great value to you
too. We combine this gold dust with all we’ve
better in your learnt (and believe you will find useful) about living
rooms from researching and publishing more than
living room.
100 episodes of NTS.
It’s worth noting that this guide is more about styling and
organising rather than renovating. It’s centred on low-
intervention improvements that will deliver high impact. In this
way, we trust it will contain value for homeowners and renters
alike. So, whether you’re embarking on a complete redesign,
looking to make a few small tweaks or starting from scratch,
we’re very happy to be part of your journey. Our intention with
this guide is to give you the help you need to transform your
space into one you love to spend time in.
You might have a small space to work with but
know this: it’s full of potential. The design that most inspires
us at NTS meets constraints with creativity. We want to inspire
you to do the same. Consider rearranging existing furniture,
refinishing, upcycling, repairing, thrifting… DIY. This exercise
does not need to come at a great cost (to you or the environment).
So if your constraints include budget as well as space, then rest
assured, this guide is very much for you too.
Finally, there is no right or wrong here. This is about
your own style and what makes you and the people you
share your space with happy. Forget about the latest trend,
it will only be replaced by another tomorrow! Your space
should reflect you and be comfortable and joyful for you. This
philosophy guides all the decisions I make in my living space
and I hope it will serve you as well as it does me.
LOVE, COLIN AND THE NTS TEAM X 5

1. First
steps
IMAGE CREDIT Form practice
First steps 7
Be frank
Interior designers will often start their consultation by asking you

to honestly consider how you use a space because it helps to plan
the layout and choose the right furniture and accessories to suit
your lifestyle. It’s easy to get carried away creating collages and
mood boards of beautiful designs, furniture pieces and colour
palettes, but understanding how you truly use your living room
will help create a clear design direction.
For instance, if you’re someone who often does yoga in the living
room, incorporating a coffee table with wheels means you can
easily move it out of the way for activities. At the end of the day,
8
a living room that is comfortable and functional to you is more
likely to be a space that you enjoy spending time in.
Here are some examples Layout
of honest questions
to get you started
ARE YOU SOMEONE WHO WATCHES DO YOU HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN OR PETS? Once you’ve settled on how you will (honestly) use the living room,
A LOT OF TELEVISION? you can start planning your layout. This can be as simple as a rough
If so, seek out easy-to-clean and hard-wearing sketch of your living room with a basic idea of where you want
If not, a small projector could be a good fabrics and finishes. You might consider items to be.
alternative to a TV. You can store it away and options such as a washable rug
bring it out when you need it, freeing up space or a sofa with removable covers. Observing how natural light enters and moves within your living
in your living room for other items or activities. space throughout the day and seasons can be a helpful place
This will also give you more freedom when to start. Consider whether you want to face towards or away from
it comes to the orientation of furniture and IS THIS YOUR FOREVER HOME OR YOUR HOME daylight when sitting on the couch or where to place your TV
how your wall space is used. FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? to avoid direct sunlight and glare. From there, you can identify
Knowing how long you’ll live in a space can where larger items, such as your sofa, coffee table or an armchair,
influence your layout and what furniture should be placed.
WHERE DO YOU SPEND MOST
you choose. You might be more inclined
OF YOUR TIME EATING MEALS? Another key tip is to consider how you and your guests enter, leave
to use built-in furniture in a forever home
and move around the living room. The placement of furniture can
If it’s in front of the TV (no judgement), or wish to spend less on furniture items
often dictate how people navigate the space. Does the space feel
consider a coffee table that rises to a suitable specific to your space if you plan to move
cramped when multiple people are sitting in the room? If so, could
seating level instead of opting for a dedicated again in a few years’ time.
you resolve this with a different layout?
dining table.
Use this planning stage to really consider the dimensions
9
of your space and how your existing or desired furniture and
First steps its orientation will affect how you and others will use the room.
Budget Be open minded To get you started,
here is a list of items
to consider in your
Having an idea of how much you are willing to spend
budget so you can
on your design from the beginning will save you time,
add/delete
energy and, let’s face it, heartache.
Redesigning or improving a living room doesn’t have
to come with a high price tag, but having a figure in mind
for your project will keep you on track and help you
decide what you should prioritise and what might need
to wait.
TWO/THREE-SEATER SOFA
FLOOR RUG
COFFEE TABLE
ARMCHAIR
SIDE TABLE
ENTERTAINMENT UNIT
PRIORITISE BREAK IT DOWN
To help you prioritise your must-have items, Once you’ve made a list of everything you LAMPS AND LIGHTING
we recommend putting a price value against want to acquire or change in your space,
each item you want to add or change spend some time splitting it into two stages CURTAINS AND/OR BLINDS
in your living space. Everyone values items to narrow your focus. ‘Stage one’ would be
differently, depending on how they use them. the items that you feel you need immediately CUSHIONS
For instance, someone who spends a lot for the space to function as you need it to.
of time reading, relaxing or watching television This might include key furniture pieces and
TV/ PROJECTOR
might be more inclined to spend $2,000 lighting. ‘Stage two’, however, would include
on a sofa and yet much less on a floor rug. items that you want but don’t necessarily
PLANTS
Or, if your living room needs to be your storage need right away, such as artwork, mirrors
workhorse, you might be inclined to spend or some new plants. At NTS, we’re big fans of DIY (more on this later) and upcycling —
our studio and our homes feature a mix of DIY, second hand and STORAGE
more than others on a coffee table or ottoman
Dividing your design needs into two stages locally designed and made pieces. Are there items you already
to include integrated storage. Try to plan out
will keep your budget under control and create have that could be repaired, repurposed or refinished? Or have you SHELVES
which pieces or touches have greater value
a clear wish list of items or tasks that you can considered buying second hand or vintage? If getting creative with
to you and your lifestyle before grabbing your
work towards in the future. Remember, you DIY or purchasing second hand are not natural instincts for you, ARTWORK + HOOKS
wallet. And remember to include the cost
don’t have to finish your living room project these routes are well worth considering. On top of being kinder
of freight, accessories, installation and even
all at once (it’s not a renovation challenge to the environment, they can also have the added benefit of making SMART HOME SYSTEM
tools or cleaning costs (if necessary) – it all
TV show!). In fact, you’re more likely to be your budget stretch a little further too. Either way, it’s definitely
adds up!
delighted with the outcome if you don’t worth shopping around in vintage and charity shops or keeping COOLING+HEATING SYSTEM
rush your decisions. an eye on platforms like eBay, Gumtree, Etsy, Facebook Marketplace
and Instagram for specific pieces. There are often ways to find that
10
special something at a price that you can afford, especially with
First steps some patience and effort.
ABOVE NTS Creator Colin Chee’s
apartment featuring treasured
second-hand furntiure and DIY touches. 11
2. Finding
your style
IMAGE CREDIT Guy Wilkinson Photography
Finding your style 13

Finding your style
Style is a visual way of telling your story and

expressing your personality. Often, when
we think about our design style, we tend to
pigeonhole ourselves into one particular look —
such as Scandinavian, mid-century or vintage.
While those design styles can be very helpful in
informing decisions around things like furniture
and finishes, individual style comes from a
much deeper place. It reflects who you are by
providing a window into your values, your past
and what brings you joy. And just as you change
and evolve, so can your style.
Styling is often perceived as something
polished — carefully curated colour palettes,
perfectly placed furniture and decorative
objects. But it can be more natural and eclectic
than this. You may be surprised to see that if
you group together the furniture or decorative
objects that you love best, somehow, they
just work together. And what could be better
than being surrounded by objects that make
you happy?
You might have your grandmother’s old
armchair beside your modern sofa or your
child’s drawing framed next to an original
painting — wonderful! Not every element needs
to be cohesive or match the overarching style
of your home. It’s these sometimes accidental
curations that tell your story and make a space
that’s truly unique to you.
So how do you bring it all together? 14
Mood boards BELOW A mood board for Chippendale
Home featuring textures, tones and
materials to guide the design outcome.
IMAGE CREDIT Folk Studio
D B O D B O
CHIPPENDALE
CHIPPENDALE
PROJECT PROJECT
M OO
M OO
A R
A R
D
D
A mood board is a great way to pull all your style inspiration into
one place and can set the tone for your living room design. If you’re
looking to get the creative juices flowing, start by creating two
separate mood boards.
Think of ‘Mood Board A’ as your ultimate design outcome and

‘Mood Board B’ as a cheaper alternative or the board that changes
and evolves as you do throughout the process. Having two mood
boards will allow you to pick and pair different items and materials
together from each depending on your budget, style and look
and feel. For instance, you might have an armchair and sofa on
‘Mood board A’ that you love but together, are beyond your budget.
‘Mood Board B’, on the other hand, might feature more affordable
alternatives. Ultimately, you might decide to prioritise the armchair
from ‘Mood board A’ and as a result, purchase the sofa from
‘Mood Board B’. The result being an overall look that still works
and importantly, stays within your budget.
There are a plethora of online tools that can help you with putting
together your mood board. Our favourite is Milanote but Pinterest
and Canva are also popular options. Use your mood board to collect
DESIGNED BY: DESIGNED BY:
textures, colours or specific living room furniture pieces. The more
specific and detailed you can be, the better. This approach will
help you build towards your desired outcome more naturally and
will prove more successful than gathering images of living room
spaces you like.

ABOVE The resulting design for Chippendale Home.

Here are three tips to keep in mind There are some great resources and design templates to be found
on platforms like Milanote if you’re in need of some additional tips
and inspiration. We especially love their nifty web clipper extension
that lets you quickly and easily save text, images, links and video
to your moodboard without having to screen grab them. You can
check out the Milanote moodboard Colin put together for his
recent apartment renovation HERE .
AVOID PRECONCEPTIONS
Start by collating colour schemes, furniture pieces and accessories

that you like without worrying about any preconceived concepts
or ideas you may have had or notions of ‘what goes with what’.
Try to find images of these items on a plain white background

to avoid visual clutter on your mood board. This will help you
curate different pieces and see how they interact with one
another against your space.
LAY IT ALL DOWN
While it is easy to bring together all the items and objects your
heart desires, it’s also important to see how these new pieces will
complement existing elements in your home, such as treasured
furniture, flooring, window placements, pre-existing artworks
and the colour of your living room walls. Consider taking photos
of these key elements to add to your mood board as well.
Including these elements in your mood board will bring the old
and new together and help you visualise what does and doesn’t
work together in your space. Most importantly, it will prevent
you from making mistakes you may later regret!
GIVE IT SOME TIME
Once you’ve pulled together the overall feel and mood of your
ideal living room, put your mood boards down and give yourself
some time to mull over your choices. You can revisit the mood
boards and make any edits or adjustments if certain aspects
aren’t sitting right. Trust your gut. If you are half-hearted about
a design element, revisit it and question why you feel that way
and what you can do to change it.
On page 15 you’ll find an example of a simple moodboard Mariah TIP Look out for Orange text throughout
this guide as they are clickable links that
and the team at Folk Studio put together for CHIPPENDALE HOME can bring you directly to the referenced
along with an image of the final apartment. page or chapter.
IMAGE CREDIT Milanote

Colour
Colour is such a personal and subjective thing. You may want

to keep things neutral as Desmond Wong did in his Hong Kong
Apartment CITY VEIL or instead let colour rip as gon architects did
in central Madrid Home SOLA HOUSE pictured on the left.
If you lean towards a more flamboyant, or eccentric kind of design

style, you may be tempted to resist the idea of a planned colour
scheme. However, anchoring your space with a base tone can make
a big difference, and looking at your space and what’s already there
can be a great place to start.
If you have concrete floors and white walls for instance, your
base colours would be grey and white and these colours might
determine the colour of your sofa. Selecting a grey or white sofa,
given it’s such a large piece in your space, would then allow you
to have fun with colour across other pieces like an armchair, your
coffee table, cushions or a rug.
OPPOSITE Warm tones of peach, gold
Once you have decided on your base tone then you might move and brown feature throughout The Warren
along with vivid pops of red, blue and rich
on to deciding on what accent tones you want to bring in. Typically, greens from the owner’s extensive house
two or three accent tones work nicely, or if you really want a loud plant collection.
IMAGE CREDIT Michael Wee
or bold room, you might have up to 10 accent colours. Either way,
18
defining what these will be from an early stage can create some
helpful parameters.
IMAGE CREDIT Imagen Subliminal (Miguel de Guzmán + Rocío Romero)

Some tips and ideas…
CONSIDER MOOD AND EMOTION
Think about how you want (and want

others) to feel in your space…Cosy?
Energised? Calm and peaceful? Work
with the colours that evoke this mood
or emotion for you.
BE PLAYFUL
IMAGE CREDIT Archetypal Limited www.archetypal.hk
ABOVE A neutral and calming colour
Unexpected pops of colour can scheme as seen in City Veil.
surprise and delight and create
a sense of playfulness.
CREATE COHESION
Use colour to connect your spaces

and create a sense of harmony and
visual calm.
SET THE SCENE
If you have some special artwork

or some strong patterns in your decor
or furnishings, you might decide to keep
colour muted and neutral elsewhere
to allow these pieces to shine.

ABOVE Pastel colours have a soothing
and unifying effect in Villa Montserrat.
21
RIGHT An earthy tonal colour
palette in Ilioupoli with accents
of reds and blues.
IMAGE CREDIT Yiannis Hadjiaslanis
22
3. Defining
zones
Defining zones
Now that you’ve thought about defining your

sense of style, it’s time to think more deeply
about how your living space functions. We
touched on this earlier, but let’s start talking
about zones. The reality is that when it comes to
small-footprint homes, a living space will likely
need to perform several different functions.
Defining zones in a living room changes
the entire perception of a space. With many
people opting for open-plan, multi-purpose
room designs and with the increase of work-
from-home lifestyles, creating zones can
help transition between tasks and modes
like, relaxing, working or entertaining. Having
assigned spaces for dining or storage (if these
functions take place in your living room) can
make a room feel larger, more spacious and
much more organised.
When we think about zoning, it’s not
uncommon to picture different rooms or
physical partitions that separate the living
space from the rest of the home. But creating
zones can be done in a myriad of ways. It is
all about creating a defined design flow that
is aesthetically appealing, highly functional and
Defining zones unique to you. 24
Furniture Incorporating movable furniture can allow for greater flexibility BELOW Custom made white cabinets
on wheels in Waterloo Street can
in a living room as you and your lifestyle change. WATERLOO STREET be arranged in different configurations
(pictured below) is a perfect example of how a small living space depending on how the owner wants
to use the space.
was optimised to suit tenants who didn’t want to be locked into
specific configurations.
To accommodate their needs, designer Desh Chew from Three-D

Conceptwerke included custom-made white cabinets on wheels
that the clients could shift around to create space as needed.
Chew also selected two tables on wheels that could be pushed

together to create a large table for dining with friends or separated
into two individual work spaces, and an adjustable wall mounted
swing arm lamp that could be directed over the tables as they
move around the space.
Bulky furniture, such as sofas, television cabinets, armchairs

and dining tables, can act as subtle barriers or dividers for zones.
How you arrange your furniture is key to distinguishing different
areas in a living room. When designing their small mid-century
home in Paris, CRUSSOL (pictured below), architects Ophélie Doria
and Edouard Roullé-Mafféïs of Space Factory arranged their sofa
against the dining room seating to create two separate spaces, one
for eating and one for relaxing.
LEFT Placing a sofa and dining seating

back-to-back divides the living space
and dining space in Crussol.
IMAGE CREDIT Herve Goluza IMAGE CREDIT Justin Loh, Wong Weiliang
Defining zones 25
IMAGE CREDIT Justin Loh, Wong Weiliang
ABOVE Two tables on wheels in Waterloo Street

can be pushed together to create one large dining table
or separated into two individual work spaces. 26
Doors and curtains LEFT A multipurpose curtain is used
IMAGE CREDIT Peter Clarke

in Karoot to establish privacy between
the living zone and adjacent office nook
and can also be drawn across the nearby
kitchen to soften the overall space both
visually and acoustically.
Curtains and sliding doors are, perhaps, The beauty of curtains is that you can
the more obvious ways to divide easily change the style, material and
a space. In many NTS episodes, we’ve fabric, and they take up little to no
seen curtains and screens used space (which is a major tick for small
to successfully maximise the function homes!). Lauren and Nicholas Russo
of a living room space, accentuate employed a multipurpose curtain
different areas and hide storage in KAROOT , originally designed for
and clutter. With many small homes their own young family. The curtain
designed to be multifunctional, curtains was conceived to establish privacy
can play a great role in dividing living between the living zone and adjacent
room zones as life transitions from day office nook (as pictured on the right)
to night and night to day, concealing but could also be drawn across the
storage or establishing a sense nearby kitchen to soften the overall
of privacy. space both visually and acoustically.
Defining zones 27
ABOVE A simple sliding door panel Similarly, a door or screen can physically section off and
in Roseneath apartment enables interplay
or immediate privacy between the living, open an area to help create functional and dedicated spaces
sleeping and office zones of the apartment. in the living room. A simple sliding door panel is used in the
ROSENEATH APARTMENT in Melbourne, designed by Fieldwork
architects. The sliding door enables interplay or immediate privacy
between the living, sleeping and office zones of the apartment.
Defining zones 28
If flexibility is the priority and total privacy is less of a concern, BELOW Bookshelves separating
the living zone from the sleeping zone
screens and other freestanding or built-in furniture such as seen in El Camarín
as bookshelves can be used to establish zones. Co-founder
of Studiomama, Nina Tolstrup, designed the METAMORPHIC
WARDROBE COME SPACE DIVIDER, a flexible wardrobe that contains
storage and can be opened into different formations to provide
privacy and flexibility without building walls or permanently
dividing a space.
Similarly, bookshelves or other freestanding cabinets and

shelving units are a simple (and sometimes, a lighter-touch way)
to create zones, as seen in EL CAMARÍN (pictured below) in Buenos
Aires designed by IR architecture. Incidentally, this particular
bookcase was the original inspiration for the living room belonging
to NTS Creator Colin and remains one of our all-time favourites.
Consider styling up shelves or cabinets with small and sentimental
ornaments that leave enough space for the area to still feel open.
IMAGE CREDIT Fernando Schapochnik

IMAGE CREDIT Dennis Pedersen, Elsa Young
LEFT Studiomama’s Metamorphic

Wardrobe come space divider can
be opened into different formations
to provide privacy and flexibility without
building walls or permanently dividing
a space.
Colour LEFT In Project 26 a dramatic shift
IMAGE CREDIT BCDF studio

from a dark green painted entrance
area to a stark white living zone acts as
a “visual cue” to slow down and unwind.
RIGHT A burgundy-rose painted feature

wall in Villa Saint-Michel clearly defines
the living zone.
Using contrasting paint colours is a quick, budget-friendly way

to visually separate areas without committing to major physical
changes. In Project 26 (not yet featured on NTS at the time
of publishing this guide!) designed by Singapore-based interior
design firm Resistance (and pictured below), a dramatic shift from
a dark green painted entrance area to a stark white living room
was employed to create “visual cues to slow down and unwind”.
A more subtle execution can be seen in the Paris apartment,
VILLA SAINT-MICHEL , where Nicolas Bossard uses pops of colour
throughout the apartment to highlight modes and zones, including
a burgundy-rose feature wall in the seating area of the living room.
IMAGE CREDIT Form practice
Defining zones
LEFT Floor to ceiling oak cladding used
in Type Street to create a clear delineation
between the entry, kitchen and living room.
The oak cladding contrasts with a white
painted wall to create two visually
defined spaces.
Materials and finishes

Another way to create a zone is to break the continuity of the
floor pattern by using different materials. Contrasting flooring can
have the effect of signalling different functions and also create
the sense of more distinct areas within a single space. Rugs are
often a simple and highly effective way to achieve this aim.
Those who are a little braver might experiment with materials

on walls and the ceiling. In his infamous TYPE STREET apartment
(pictured above), architect Jack Chen from Tsai Design created
a clear delineation between the entry, kitchen and living room space
by inserting oak cladding that ran from the floor of the apartment
up the wall and across the ceiling. The oak cladding contrasted with
a white painted wall to create two visually defined spaces.
Defining zones 31
Lighting LEFT Hanging a pendant light above
a dining zone, as seen in Monolocale Effe,
can subtly highlight a defined area.
BELOW A wall-mounted swing arm

lamp as seen in 7MCH can easily be
moved around to help define a particular
zone in your living space.
IMAGE CREDIT Giuseppe Gradella
IMAGE CREDIT Bertrand Noël
The living room is a space that has multiple functions and

activities — whether that is relaxing and watching TV, tackling
work emails, exercising or entertaining children. Creative lighting
can create unique zones within your living space, delineating
spaces to suit your lifestyle, no matter the occasion.
Particularly in open-plan designs, hanging a statement pendant

above a dining table (if it’s part of your living space) will provide
great overall ambient lighting for day-to-day activities while
subtly highlighting a defined area in your living space.
A floor lamp nestled behind a sofa or armchair can create

a small nook, providing task lighting for reading, writing or arts
and crafts, and can easily be moved around to define other
zones. Wall mounted swing arm lamps (as seen right in 7MCH
by studiobravo) can also perform a similar role without taking
up valuable floor space. You’ll find more tips and tricks when
it comes to lighting in Chapter 7: Lighting Up Your Living Room.
Defining zones
Creating levels Making it work
Different furniture heights can also work to define and separate

spaces. For SMALL GRAND APARTMENT in Melbourne’s CBD, Jack
Chen designed a TV unit featuring different heights across its
length to create a living and dining zone. Chen wanted to create
an apartment that was liveable for his client and her cat, balancing BELOW A custom-made TV unit
in Small Grand Apartment features
minimalism with functionality by using custom-made furniture different heights across its length
to create different livable spaces in the 50 sq m/538 sq ft home. to establish a living and dining zone.
When space is at a premium, having a study or dedicated home

office space can be extremely difficult and yet working from home
is a regular reality for many of us. Creating a work zone in your
small space is a helpful way to ensure the rest of your living room
functions as it should, while minimising visual clutter. The best
solution for your home may be a fold-away desk (we’ve included
a tutorial for a DIY version in the next chapter!), or a set of floating
shelves with the lowest at the ideal height for you to work from.
If your need for a workspace is greater than your need for bulk
storage, you might consider transforming an existing closet
or cupboard space by reconfiguring or removing some shelving.
The cupboard door could be removed or could remain to keep
your workspace ‘hidden’ outside of working hours.
In MARK II (pictured overleaf) Nicholas Gurney included a niche with

a foldable work-from-home station in the overall apartment design.
When not in use it is cleverly concealed behind a sliding panel that
also contains the TV.
A multifunctional floor-to-ceiling cabinet in the living room

features a pull-out work station with ingenious design elements
in TYPE STREET. To transition to work mode, a mounted TV is hidden
away and instead an arm-mounted computer monitor and desk
can be pulled out from the cabinet. The sliding door separating
the living room from the bedroom can also be used as a whiteboard.
IMAGE CREDIT Bertrand Noël
Since balancing working and relaxing in a small home can be
33
so challenging, you’ll find a range of ideas on how to incorporate
Defining zones working or studying into your living room in chapters to come.
IMAGE CREDIT Kat Lu IMAGE CREDIT Kat Lu
ABOVE An integrated work-from-home ABOVE A home office can be revealed

set-up as designed by Nicholas Gurney
in Mark II
from or retracted into a full height cabinet
as seen in Type St. 34
4. Furniture
and
furnishings
Furniture and furnishings
If you’re starting from scratch, consider

choosing your largest pieces of furniture
first, such as your sofa. A sofa is often the
centrepiece in a small space and typically
the biggest investment when furnishing a
living room. Starting with the bigger and more
essential items will help keep your budget
under control and will ensure subsequent
furniture and styling decisions build from
this base.
Once you’ve picked your sofa, you can move
onto other big-ticket items and begin to add
essential items that suit your lifestyle, whether
Furniture and furnishings it be a coffee table, sideboard or armchair. 36
Choosing a sofa LEFT Two separate chaise lounges
in Projekt Własny fit perfectly together Tips and considerations for
in the space and can be rearranged
to create a comfortable bed for guests. choosing a sofa for a small living room
One of the most common mistakes for new sofa owners is not
measuring the sofa and its intended new home. Imagine buying
your dream sofa only to realise it doesn’t fit within your living room!
Try not to rely on how big the sofa looks in-store or online. Instead,
spend a few minutes measuring your space and determining the
exact size that will allow you (and others you intend to share your
sofa with!) to sit in comfort.
While you can’t always try before you buy, where possible, test run
your sofa so you can be confident that everything from the arm
height to the firmness of the cushions is optimal for your comfort.
Fabric colours and textures can also look very different online and
instore so it’s worth getting up close and observing how the fabric
has behaved in a shop where lots of people have already sat on it!
Pay particular attention to whether it shows up or collects lint RAISE IT UP SOFA BED
or dust and whether it shows any signs of marking or pulls.
A sofa that is lifted off the ground with legs A sofa bed is a good alternative if you are
will show more floor space and naturally someone who often has guests coming
make your living room feel more spacious. to stay.
GO LOW A WALL BED/SOFA COMBINATION
Similarly, a low-back sofa as seen in Strutt A wall bed/sofa combination allows for
Studio’s COMPARTMENT NO.3 can also create greater flexibility in your living room but
the visual illusion of more space. can be more costly than other alternatives.
We share some examples overleaf.
THINK MODULAR
A modular sofa like the chaise lounge combo

used in PROJEKT WŁASNY (pictured left)
gives you greater flexibility and allows you
to configure the sofa and easily rearrange
your living room.
IMAGE CREDIT Kinga Mądro Photography
Furniture and furnishings 37

IMAGE CREDIT Roomie & @tsubottle
ABOVE A pair of custom covered

Muji bean bags in place of a traditional
sofa in HIGE & ME’s Toyko Apartment 38
Non-traditional sofas
and sofa alternatives
IMAGE CREDIT Get Hands Dirty
Defining your needs will determine your sofa’s importance.

For instance, the central seating in your living space will be your
sofa if you choose not to have an armchair. If you choose to have
two armchairs, you may settle on a smaller sofa or none at all.
For some, giving up a permanent patch of floorspace in a tiny

living room to such a large piece of furniture might not be practical
or even be an option. If this is the case for you, lightweight and
inexpensive furniture like bean bags (or a similar product) may be
an ideal solution that offers comfort but a great deal of flexibility.
In HIGE & ME’s RENTED TOKYO APARTMENT , they customised a pair
of Muji bean bags by making their own covers.
At the other end of the spectrum a wall bed/sofa combination like

the CLEI WALL BED WITH A SOFA as seen overleaf in SEASIDE ATTIC ,
will help recover floor space within your living room when a sofa
(and/or bed!) is not required. We also love the one Nicholas Gurney
designed for this BAYSIDE project but for those who don’t mind a bit
of DIY, this SOFA WALL BED SYSTEM designed by Cristiana Felgueiras
from GET HANDS DIRTY could be an ideal option. It comes with
a youtube video tutorial and detailed instructions.
ABOVE A DIY Sofa wall bed with

afollow-along video turotial and plans
Furniture and furnishings from Get Hands Dirty.
IMAGE CREDIT Studio Roy
ABOVE A comfortable sofa can easily
transform into a double bed with designs
likethe Clei wall bed with a sofa as seen
in Seaside Attic.
Buy once, buy right Choosing other furniture

This principle ideally applies to any furniture investment you Choosing the right furniture for your living room will once again
make but is especially important for a sofa given it’s typically such come back to those soul searching questions about how you
a high-use and pivotal piece of furniture. If possible, try to invest truly use your space. Those insights and your individual needs
in a well designed and well made sofa, as a good quality sofa will determine whether options like multifunctional furniture
is more likely to withstand the test of time. (more on that ahead!) or modular furniture, furniture with hidden
or integrated storage or movable or foldable furniture will be best
If you don’t have the budget for your forever sofa, instead of suited to your needs.
purchasing a cheaper alternative, consider opting for an interim,
second hand piece (more on that soon…) or if you have the tools For living rooms on the smaller side, furniture that is visually
and the confidence, try making a sofa from scratch. There are light can work wonders in making a space feel and appear larger,
plenty of great online guides, including THIS STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE BY so prioritising these qualities in your furniture selections is important.
HOME WITH MELODY who used plywood, a hand saw and cushions This approach can be particularly helpful if you live in a studio
to create a DIY sofa. Think of the pleasure it will give you to make style space so your living room furniture doesn’t dominate your
and have made your own furniture! entire home.

Some of our tips for selecting
furniture for small spaces
THINK SLIM BE TRANSPARENT
Cabinets, tables and chairs with skinny legs Like the Ghost chair, consider transparent
have the benefit of maximising your visible furniture as a way to limit visual interruptions
floor space and therefore making it seem more in your space and lend it greater lightness.
open and airy. A glass-topped coffee or side table may be
an ideal addition to your space.
RAISE IT UP
ROUND IT OUT
Raising furniture from the floor has a similar
effect and you might achieve this with some Another trade tip for creating a visual ‘flow’
slim legs on a piece of furniture or by selecting is to avoid or limit hard edges and corners
a wall mounted piece of furniture. Either way, by preferencing rounded and curved shapes
allowing the eye to take in more floor space from in your furniture choices
wall to wall can create the illusion of a larger
living space
MAKE IT LIGHT
This may seem silly but furniture that

is physically light and easily moved around
can also create a sense of visual lightness.
Think versatile pieces like a plywood stool
cum side table, a bentwood chair or a piece
like the Phillipe Starck Ghost Chair.
IMAGE CREDIT Alina Lefa
IMAGE CREDIT Herve Goluza
LEFT Raising furniture off the ABOVE Transparent furniture, like

ground creates the illusion of a larger this glass coffee table in Crussol can
space as seen with this side board
in Lycabettus Hill
make a space feel bigger by limiting
visual interruptions. 41
LEFT Choosing furniture
with slim legs, as seen in Kolonaki,
maximises visible floor space,
making your space feel more open.
IMAGE CREDIT Nikos Vavdinoudis and Christos Dimitriou
PUT IT ON WHEELS MAKE IT MULTIFUNCTIONAL MAKE IT MODULAR FOLD IT AWAY
As referenced in Chapter 3: Defining Zones, Furniture that performs multiple functions Any well designed modular furniture, Folding chairs, tables and even beds are
moveable furniture can provide life-changing is a fantastic way to conserve space in a small whether it’s a sofa or a set of shelves a fantastic way to save space. They are often
flexibility and a set of castors can easily living room and we encourage you to explore will bring an added level of flexibility, lighter than traditional furniture which means
be retrofitted to many pieces of furniture with practical options that offer integrated storage not only to your living space, but to your they can be moved around and stored away
minimum expense, tools and DIY experience. or the ability to adapt to changing needs within entire home. Again, more on this below! easily, allowing you to reclaim precious floor
your space. Read on below for more detail space when not in use. We have a few great
on multifunctional furniture. examples below.

Choosing multifunctional
Our relationship with the living room particularly for studio apartments
has changed dramatically in recent where sleeping and living spaces are
years. More than a place to relax and often combined. A multifunctional
socialise, the living room is a place piece of furniture can make your
where we truly do all kinds of living. space much more efficient, covering
For smaller spaces and homes, the off multiple uses or functions that
living room might need to pivot might ordinarily require two or three
seamlessly between a home office, pieces of furniture. A great example
home gym, a playroom for children, we see pop up in our episodes time
a dining and entertaining space, and time again are bench seats
a key source of storage and a hub that double as storage like the one
for hobbies. pictured on the right in LA SUITE DOLCE
VITA in Paris, designed by Space
Experimenting with multifunctional Factory, where built-in bench seating ABOVE A bench seat with built-in
IMAGE CREDIT Herve Goluza
furniture can be a fun and innovative integrates the bulk of the living
storage as seen in La Suite Dolce Vita.
way to create a more flexible space, room’s storage.

IMAGE CREDIT Softer Design Studio
LEFT Softer Design Studio’s Pop Up Some of our favourite designs in the modular furniture space BELOW The flexible, stackable
Table transitions from coffee table and modular MoCrate system as seen
to dining table with a slight twist of the that offer great flexibility include the MOCRATE SYSTEM — a set in Colin’s apartment.
table top. of flat packed, stackable cubes that can seamlessly pivot from side
table to coffee table to media unit to entry seating and to bedside
BOTTOM The Hybrid Chair by Studio
Lorier can quickly transform from a desk cabinet and all the while offering integrated storage. We also love
chair into a lounge chair or vice versa. shelving systems like KITTAPARTS from our friends at LIKEBUTTER for
the way they can grow and adapt to changing needs and lifestyles.
While these options may not be available locally to you, they may
give you ideas for the kind of piece you are hunting for.
Take, for example, the clever POP UP TABLE from Melbourne’s Softer
Design Studio that can be used as a coffee table or dining table,
if a separate dining space is not a possibility, or the HYBRID CHAIR
by Studio Lorier that can easily transforms from an office or dining
chair and a gently reclined armchair (as seen in TYPE STREET ).
PHOTO CREDIT Studio Lorier

THIS PAGE KittaParts is a durable
plywood modular shelving system that
can be easily assembled and reconfigured
thanks to the clever timber threaded design.

If built-in cabinetry is an option you’re considering, you will find LEFT A four-in-one sofa that includes
a side coffee table, a fold-out table and
a wealth of inspiration in VILLA MONTSERRAT (pictured below), a dining table as seen in Villa Monsterrat
designed by furniture designer Max Enrich, including a custom built
low storage unit (that can double as seating) that spans the entire
length of the living room wall and is painted in the same yellow
as the wall. Max also created a four-in-one sofa (facing this storage
unit) that included a side coffee table at one end, a fold-out table
at the back for extra kitchen bench space, and a dining table on the
other end.

IMAGE CREDIT www.guywphoto.com
BEÂCHÂLET (pictured above) in Sydney, designed and hand crafted

by architect, artist and furniture designer Matt Reynolds, offers
another masterclass in hardworking custom-built multifunctional
furniture. Matt’s twin low-back and modular sofas are also
extremely multifunctional — this pair of sofas can be easily ABOVE Custom built cabinetry wraps
a modular sofa that functions as a queen
reconfigured into a queen bed, two single beds or a bench seat bed, two single beds or a bench seat
for Matt’s dining table when he is entertaining large groups. for the dining table in BEÂCHÂLET.

In-built cabinetry can also be an excellent way to save on floor One of the simplest ways to reduce visual clutter is to hide THIS PAGE Built-in cabinetry
featuring a savvy home-office set-up
space while incorporating a huge amount of functionality into or fold away furniture when it’s not in use. In doing so, you in Pepper Tree Passive House
a single space or even along a single wall. This can be an especially automatically create more usable floor space and make any
savvy way to bring a home-office set-up into your living space room feel more open and spacious. It’s all about getting things
in a way that avoids cluttering your space just as architect Alexander out of the way so that you can use that space for other furniture,
Symes and owner/builder Adam Souter did in PEPPER TREE PASSIVE activities, or to move through it more freely. Some of our favourite
HOUSE’s home/office. examples include wall-mounted desks or foldable chairs that
can be tucked away when they are not in use. We’ve got a nifty
DIY wall-mounted foldable desk coming up.
IMAGE CREDIT Barton Taylor

A particularly ingenious fold-up dining table or ‘Murphy table’
in UPPER WEST SIDE STUDIO (pictured below) designed by the
team at NYC design studio, Duro Deco, comfortably seats four.
The cleverness of this custom designed piece of furniture is that
when it is folded away and not in use it appears like an artwork
on the wall.
One of the most common items we see hanging in small living

room spaces is bikes. There are a variety of bike storage solutions
online, including fully-mounted racks, simple metal hooks and DIY
wooden shelves. Each provides a safe place for you to hang your
bike when it’s not in use while also exhibiting it as a part of your
story in your home as seen in TYPE STREET (pictured on the right,
yet again!)
IMAGE CREDIT Nicholas Venezia
IMAGE CREDIT Tess Kelly
LEFT A custom designed fold-up dining

table in Upper West Side Studio appears
like an artwork on the wall when not in use.
TOP RIGHT Jack Chen’s bike exhibited

Furniture and furnishings like a piece of art on the wall in Type Street.
Upcycling and second hand
When we think about sustainability, we often think about plastic

usage or fast fashion, but we don’t often consider furniture trends
a real problem for our environment.
We encourage you to be thoughtful and creative when it comes

to sourcing your furniture. Beyond having the potential to save you
money, it’s also a great way to save furniture from going into landfill.
Sometimes second hand furniture may look a little tired or might
not be the exact colour, finish or pattern that you want, but furniture
can easily be repaired, painted, restored, reupholstered or made
into something else entirely.
Nina Tolstrup of London design studio Studiomama furnished

SMALL TOWNHOUSE with several chairs (pictured left) and a dining
table she found either discarded on a nearby street or in a ‘junk’
shop. She stripped these pieces down to their frames and then
reupholstered or refinished them.
IMAGE CREDIT Ben Anders
YouTube and social media sources in general are an encyclopaedia
of fun and innovative ways to give second-hand furniture a new life.
And searching for unique pieces — whether online (a simple search
for something like ‘best second hand furniture online’ will reveal
a plethora of options in your location) or by exploring your local
neighbourhood — is all part of the fun. There is so much potential!
Mixing old and new in a small living room is also a great way
to show off your personality, add depth to the sense of style
in your home, and tell a unique story. We’ve seen this in several
small apartments like architect Matthieu Torres’s JOURDAIN
ABOVE Salvaged furniture that has been (pictured overleaf) where Matthieu paired furniture from his
stripped back and reupholstered by Nina
50
Tolstrup of Studiomama to give it bold new local second-hand store with artworks that reflected his creative
beginnings in Small Townhouse. and eccentric personality.
The trick is to have patience. Finding the perfect furniture that LEFT A combination
of second hand and salvaged
suits your budget might take some time, but once you have it, furniture in Michelet.
you’ll keep it forever. Trust us.
Try visiting online and in-person auctions at inconvenient times.

If it is pouring rain outside, people might be less inclined to make
the trip, and you’ll have a better chance of picking up some
hidden gems.
Additionally, try to avoid riding the wave of the latest furniture

trends. Choosing vintage items that are in vogue will be pricey.
Instead, look for unique pieces that have longevity — regardless
of whether they are top of the furniture trends list.
51
DIY THIS PAGE A DIY storage cabinet
in Scheeps constructed from Ikea
cabinets includes generous storage
space, a hidden desk and a hiding place
and scratching surface for their cat.
Living in a small space does come with some challenges.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to fit a favoured furniture item
into a tight space — and not just in the living room. And while
custom-built furniture is a great workaround, it may not be the
most affordable option. That’s when DIY options can be handy.
Often when we look at designs we love in books, magazines

or online DIY tutorials, we write them off as expensive, unattainable
and difficult to replicate. Next time you spot something you like,
think of it instead as a source of inspiration and consider how
you can make it achievable and within your budget.
Koen Fraijaman and his girlfriend, Fadime, did a huge amount of DIY
in their waterfront loft SCHEEPS in Amsterdam (pictured right).
Central to the couple’s living room is a pink timber storage cabinet
that was made by painting and combining three Ivar Ikea cabinets.
It features generous storage space, a hidden desk and hiding place
and scratching surface for their cat, Sok.

LEFT Squeezebox is a simple hybrid
stool/coffee table that can be easily and
inexpensively made with no carpentry
experience and only basic tools.
RIGHT A simple DIY Murphy desk

in Jungle Loft can be made using this
step by step tutorial.
If a cabinet is a little too ambitious, the SQUEEZEBOX HYBRID STOOL/

COFFEE TABLE designed by Studio Edwards (pictured above) for our
2022 Melbourne Design Week Exhibition, A CHAIR FOR COLIN , is one
of our favourite examples of a simple DIY project you could take
on to create a multifunctional piece of furniture for your small space.
We love that it’s inexpensive and simple to make with no carpentry
experience and only basic tools.
Similarly, if you’re starting out with little to no experience in DIY,

there is plenty of inspiration to be gained from YouTubes HIGE AND
ME’S BEAUTIFUL DIY-FILLED HOME with details such as their upcycled
wooden apple boxes that form their bookcases in their living space.
Design duo Mish and Ryan of Tangerine Living also show off their DIY
skills in their JUNGLE LOFT in Taipei, including a nifty Murphy desk
(pictured right). You can find their tutorial on how to make it HERE .
Social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram and Etsy are great
places for DIY inspiration. You’ll often find DIYers use creative and
affordable IKEA hacks to build furniture and storage for their homes.
There are a plethora of ideas and even tutorials to be found online.
IMAGE CREDIT Tangerine Living

Rugs Pick the purpose
What role do you want your rug
to play in your design?
MAKE THE SPACE FEEL BIGGER CONCEAL
Consider opting for something with minimal If it’s a patch of damaged flooring you’re
to no pattern and in neutral tones. seeking to cover up, just ensure your
measurements have it covered with your
chosen rug. If you wish the flooring were
BE THE DESIGN ‘ANCHOR entirely different but are unable to change
Return to your moodboard to determine it immediately, you might consider a larger
what colour or colours it needs to feature rug featuring a pop of colour.
to bring everything together.
SET THE MOOD

BE THE FOCAL POINT Neutral colours typically inspire a sense
You should be looking for a rug that will define of calm, more intense, darker colours
the space and add visual interest and a sense can create a sense of intimacy, and bold
of your personality. and bright colours and patterns can bring
a sense of energy and playfulness to a space.
High pile or shag rugs can also be used
ZONE OR DIVIDE THE SPACE to add a sense of warmth and a signal that
Living room rugs can serve a number of different purposes: they Pay close attention to the shape and size this is a space for lounging and relaxing.
can help with zoning, add style, colour and texture, protect flooring, (more on this below) that will best achieve
or even conceal flooring that is damaged or simply not to your this while still maximising the sense of space in
taste. Rugs can also help to soften the acoustics of a space. your living room.

IMAGE CREDIT Nicholas Venezia

Size and shape
Now that you have an idea of what role you want your rug to play,
you can use these factors, along with the dimensions and layout
of your space to determine the rug shape and size you need. Once
you have that figured out, you’ll have a much easier time narrowing
down your options.
The correct rug size can enhance the overall aesthetic of any living
room and really help to anchor the space. Setting yourself some
boundaries to work within will help eliminate a lot of distracting
options and ensure you pick the right rug for your space.
There are plenty of resources online about various rug sizes and
placement, but when it comes to choosing the size of your rug
and furniture placement, there are two general guiding principles
(as illustrated below):
FRONT LEGS ONLY ON THE RUG

ALL LEGS ON THE RUG
You can also opt to have only the front legs of the furniture sitting
All furniture legs, including the sofas and chairs, are sitting on the rug, with the back legs on the surrounding floor and the
on the rug. The rug should extend at least 150mm past each rug roughly halfway under the sofa itself. This works especially
piece of furniture. well if a sofa is up against a wall or your rug is on the smaller side.
LEFT A rug placement with all furniture

legs (including sofas and chairs) on the rug LEFT A rug placement roughly halfway
with at least 150 mm of overhang beyond under the sofa itself with only the front legs
each piece of furniture. of the furniture on the rug.
ABOVE A rug placement where only

the front legs of the furniture are sitting
on the rug in PROJEKT WŁASNY 57
Some thoughts LEFT A colourful rug with rough woven
texture has been selected to add contrast
on style and texture to the neutral Basement Apartment.
RIGHT A rug with similar tones to existing

furnishings, but with a different material
or texture, can help to add warmth and
comfort while creating a sense of harmony
across a zone as seen again in Project Własny.
Look at the furniture and decor pieces you have already chosen
and evaluate what is missing. For example, if your room has several
small prints or patterns at play, to avoid it all looking too busy,
consider a more muted or solid-coloured rug. Or alternatively,
contrast any small repeating patterns with a large geometric
pattern or bold stripe.
If most of your furnishings and finishes are fairly uniform in texture,

consider something like a jute rug or even something with fringing
or tassels. In BASEMENT APARTMENT in Sydney designed by Brad
Swartz (pictured below), a colourful rug with rough woven texture
has been selected for contrast.
To help create a harmonious space, go back to your mood boards

and reflect on the colour palette you’re working with. Choosing a rug
with similar tones to existing furnishings, but with a different material
or texture, can help to add warmth and comfort while creating
a sense of harmony across a zone as seen in PROJEKT WŁASNY.
IMAGE CREDIT Katherine Lu
58
Curtains
Curtains can be both practical and add great visual interest

to a space. The fluid folds of a fabric curtain can add a sense
of luxury and bring softness and warmth to a space otherwise
dominated by hard and sleek surfaces as seen in Nelson Chow’s
futuristic CANDY CUBE. They don’t need to be restricted to windows
either, as mentioned earlier in Chapter 3: Defining Zones,
they are dramatic and attractive options for dividing a space
or concealing storage.
Height, colour, length and texture are all important aspects
to consider when selecting curtains for your space. Adding
a sheer layer of a beautiful fabric like linen, for instance, is a quick
and easy way to make your space that little bit more magical.
Sheer curtains diffuse the natural daylight within a living
room and can enhance the overall ambience of the space.
When the windows are open and a gentle breeze is blowing
through, the movement of the sheer curtain can provide
a nice touch too, adding to the feeling of an airy and relaxing
space as seen in CITY VEIL.
If your living space also doubles as a sleeping space and you
want to block out light completely, you can still have the best
of both worlds and use a combination of sheer and block-out LEFT Sheer curtains diffuse the natural
daylight within a living room and can
curtains as executed expertly in MARK II (pictured on the enhance the overall ambience of the space
next page). as seen in the calm and neutral City Veil.
Furniture and furnishings IMAGE CREDIT Archetypal Limited 59

BELOW The clever use of a combination
of sheer and block-out curtains in Mark II
IMAGE CREDIT Kat Lu

IMAGE CREDIT HDP Photography
ABOVE A curtain in a bold colour can

become an eye-catching feature in the
living room and even add a sense of luxury
like this one in CANDY CUBE. 61
5. Storage
IMAGE CREDIT Pigalopus
Storage 63
Storage
When planning your living room design,

storage should be one of the top priorities.
Understanding how much storage you need
can help determine what furniture you
purchase and how you organise and utilise the
available space. 64
Floor-to-ceiling units
IMAGE CREDIT Matthieu Torres
If space and budget allow, built-in wall storage units can be

an effective way to keep your everyday items organised. Architect
Timothy Yee designed the storage wall in ITINERANT APARTMENT IMAGE CREDIT Jack Lovel
in Melbourne (pictured below right) as the workhorse of the small

home. Utilising every inch of the available wall space without
encroaching unnecessarily on the living space, it combines a range
of open and closed storage units, while also concealing a heating/
cooling unit and an integrated washing hamper.
If your ceilings are tall enough, consider adding floor-to-ceiling
shelving or cabinet units (as seen in JOURDAIN above right) to your
living room to stash all kinds of household goods. For Matthieu,
ABOVE A floor-to-ceiling shelving
it was crucial to include a combination of closed and open storage
unit in Jourdain includes a combination
in order to proudly display his extensive collection of books and of open and closed storage units.
records. Whether it’s free-standing or built-in, the unit will be
LEFT A built-in storage wall in Itinerant
a feature wall in your living space while also providing you with apartment utilises every inch of the available
abundant storage space. wall space.
Storage 65
LEFT A tall and wide storage solution
as seen in Il Cubotto makes most of the
double height ceiling. A clever break in the
shelving adds a sense of openness that
would have been lost had the shelving
continued up the entire wall.
IMAGE CREDIT Caterina Pilar Palumbo
Having tall and long units can also make the space feel larger
as it elevates your eyeline and makes the walls seem higher –
even if they are full of books, magazines and other belongings!
We love the effect of the shelving in Architect Caterina Pilar
Palumbo’s IL CUBOTTO (pictured above). The height of the shelves
makes the most of the double height ceilings, and as a result,
draws the eye upwards, making the space feel larger. But the true
genius lies in the break in the shelving that adds an even greater
66
sense of openness that would have been lost had the shelving
Storage continued up the entire wall.
Wall mounted shelving LEFT Floating shelves not only take
the clutter off the ground but can make
an entire space look more refined and tidier
as seen in La Suite Dolce Vita.
For those who want freedom and flexibility with storage, modular
shelving systems can be a great option. You can customise
the size, width, layout, and whether the unit is open or closed,
depending on your space and the items you need to pack away.
When it comes to customising your modular storage, there are
two tips to consider. Firstly, ensure your shelving is the right size
(deep enough and tall enough) to store your belongings without
being too bulky that it dominates your space. Secondly, consider
a mix of open and closed shelving and cabinets so that you have
the option to pack items away that you don’t want on display and
feature other precious items that show off your personality
and style.
Floating shelves are a really easy and affordable storage option.
Shelves not only take the clutter off the ground but can make
an entire space look more refined and tidier (as seen below
in LA SUITE DOLCE VITA ), while also adding some pops of colour
by bringing your belongings into focus.
IMAGE CREDIT Herve Goluza 67

Savvier storage RIGHT The Flexible, stackable
and modular MoCrate system
as seen in Colin’s apartment.
An organised and calm space doesn’t need to rely on (often expensive)

built-in joinery or custom-made furniture. Pay a little more attention
to your living room, and you’ll find areas that can transform into
great storage spaces (even behind or under your sofa!).
As we touched on in Chapter 4: Furniture and Furnishings, big

furniture items like your sofa often take up the majority of space
in your living room. So instead of adding to the number of pieces in
your space, consider how you can integrate storage solutions into
existing furniture or explore multifunctional furniture options.
An ottoman that houses spare blankets and pillows or a coffee

table with concealed storage are ideal options for small living rooms.
In Chapter 4 we also mentioned one of our favourite multifunctional
furniture pieces is the MOCRATE (pictured on the right), a modular
storage system that can be configured as a coffee table, side table
or storage cabinet with caster wheels – an absolute gamechanger!
Similarly, rethinking how you use certain household items that no

longer serve their original function or purpose is another great way
to combine furniture with practical storage elements. Gone are the
days when we store DVDs and videos in a TV console. Instead, try
using this storage space for other items like books, toys or shoes.
Storage
Storage tips and tricks
GO UP PAINT IT
Consider creating a vertical storage solution Try painting your storage units (either on the
to make your space feel taller, rather than outside, inside or both) to elevate your design
stretching your storage across a wall. and add flair and colour
COLOUR MATCH DIY IT
Try painting your storage the same colour Consider creating a DIY modular style storage
as the walls to create a seamless design where system that can be easily customised to suit
your storage blends into your living room changing needs just as Hige and Watashi did
as seen in gon architect’s CASA GIALLA in their RENTED TOKYO APARTMENT with a grouping
(pictured left). of upcycled wooden apple boxes for their
living room bookcases (pictured overleaf).
PUT VOID SPACE TO WORK

TRY BASKETS
Are there any void spaces in your living room
that could work harder for you as a storage For those looking for a simpler solution,
solution such as behind or under your sofa? storage baskets and crates are an easy and
affordable way to prevent your space from
feeling too cluttered. Try adding them to your
ADD GLASS shelves, placing them on the ground near
Try glass-fronted storage, like fluted glass, plants and books. This will help keep things
to hide away clutter without acting as a visual organised and make your living room feel that
blocker. Choosing glass over a solid cabinet little bit calmer.
means light can still filter through, creating
a softer feel to your storage unit.
PUT IT ON WHEELS
As referenced in earlier chapters, moveable

OPEN AND CLOSED furniture can provide life-changing flexibility
Opt for a combination of shelves and and the same applies to storage. A set of
cupboards to give space for display items castors can easily be retrofitted to storage
while also offering a nook to hide the less- options with minimum expense, tools and
lovely but essential household items. DIY experience. We love the idea of making
a DIY grate that can fit neatly under your sofa.
ABOVE Painting your storage the same RIGHT A simple DIY crate with wheels
colour as the walls (or even floors in this is a great storage solution for the void
case) creates a seamless design where space under your sofa
your storage blends into your living room
as seen in Casa Gialla 69
IMAGE CREDIT Roomie & @tsubottle
ABOVE Upcycled apple boxes can make

a great DIY modular style storage system
that can be easily customised as seen
in Hige & Me’s rented Tokyo apartment 70
6. Maximising
awkward
spaces
Maximising
awkward spaces
Awkward spaces can often become forgotten

spaces. While they might demand a little more
creative thinking, they can unquestionably
be one of the most useful areas of the living
room for storage, shelving and interesting
design features.
This chapter looks at how to embrace even
the quirkiest crevices to make the most out of
your living space. Just look at how an awkward
space tucked behind a sofa in architect Alicja
IMAGE CREDIT Koji Fujii Nacasa and Partners
Szmal-Baehr’s home, Projekt Własny (pictured
ABOVE A set of simple shelves added next page) becomes the ideal storage location
to the window in the iconic Love2 House
in Tokyo. for her vinyl and plant collections! 72
THIS PAGE An awkward space tucked

behind a sofa in Projekt Własny becomes
the ideal storage location for a vinyl and
plant collection. 73
Tiny entrance LEFT A clever integrated entryway
design with a combination of hooks,
shelves and even a hole to store
umbrellas as seen in Type Street.
In most larger homes, a foyer or hallway is the first thing we see

when we open the front door. But in small spaces, we often walk
straight into the living room without taking in our surroundings
or even kicking off our shoes.
Whether you have a tight hallway or a small doorway, creating

a highly functional or even an impactful entryway can make an
enormous difference to how you experience and live in your home.
In RATTAN IN CONCRETE JUNGLE , architects Etain Ho and Chi Chun

designed a stylish small entrance for a family of three in Hong Kong
(pictured below). The designers incorporated full-height cabinets
with rattan covers to accommodate the family’s storage needs,
a lower cabinet that also served as a seat for them to put on and BELOW Full-height cabinets, a lower
cabinet (that also serves as a bench seat),
take off their shoes, and a mirror for them to check their outfits and a mirror make the most of this tiny
before heading out. entrance in Rattan in Concrete Jungle
IMAGE CREDIT Tess Kelly
The entry design (pictured above) in TYPE STREET includes a series

of wooden hooks that serve as a wine rack and a place to hang
IMAGE CREDIT Xue Lan Xin
helmets, hats and keys. The integrated wooden shelves feature
74
a hole to store umbrellas and space for shoes and other household
Maximising awkward spaces items, making the area both highly functional and visually interesting.
Creating a brilliant entryway doesn’t have to be overly complicated LEFT The Cutter Seat is a simple and
IMAGE CREDIT Yu Chen Chao Studio

space-saving solution that can be easily
or expensive. Some of our favourite tiny entrances have been folded down while you tie your shoes, and
spaces that have simple yet practical designs. Such as the one folded away again when not in use.
in TAIPEI’S COMPACT APARTMENT CONVERSION that features a utility
RIGHT A custom designed utility brick
brick wall with foldable wall hooks (pictured on the right) to hang wall with foldable wall hooks to hang
household items, or Nicholas Gurney’s application of the highly household items in Taipei’s Compact
Apartment Conversion.
practical wall-mounted CUTTER SEAT (designed by Niels Hvass)
in both his BAYSIDE and DOWNSIZERS projects that can be folded
down while you tie your shoes, and folded away again when not
in use.
IMAGE CREDIT Skagerak
Maximising awkward spaces 75

THIS PAGE A custom-made wooden
cabinet in 7B creates a separate entrance
and provides storage for essential items
whilst still allowing an immediate view
into the apartment.
IMAGE CREDIT Wonderwonder Limited
76
In his home BEÂCHÂLET , Matt Reynolds designed a Japanese- LEFT A Japanese-inspired ‘genkan’
IMAGE CREDIT YAMADA FOTO TECHNIX

or entranceway with a low bench seat
inspired ‘genkan’ or entranceway (pictured below) with a low and open shoe storage in BEÂCHÂLET.
bench seat with open shoe storage immediately below and
RIGHT A simple execution of wall-
additional long term storage at the back of the unit.
mounted timber shelving and a practical
hanging rail as seen in F-House.
Sometimes just a few small additions can work together to make
a dramatic impact, add life-changing functionality or dramatically
reduce clutter. Consider adding items like small playful hooks,
a mirror, or a floating shelf to make use of an otherwise void
space and create a more inviting entryway.
IMAGE CREDIT Guy Wilkinson Photography
77
Passageways RIGHT A series of niches in passageways
can be a playful and functional addition
to an otherwise unusable space as seen
right in Villa Saint-Michel.
Thresholds between zones can become excellent spaces for

additional storage or even points of visual interest. If you have
enough depth to play with, a series of niches could be a playful
and functional addition as seen below in VILLA SAINT-MICHEL .
The end of a hallway is often ignored or pushed down the priority
list when it comes to styling and decorating. While they might
be narrow or small spaces, styling and adding character through
artwork, mirrors, plants, an unexpected furniture placement
or even some storage can counteract feelings of narrowness
and even elongate the space.
If you have children, you might consider adding something fun
and useful, like chalkboard paint to create a makeshift art space
or floor-to-ceiling shelving to create an unexpected library and
reading nook.
IMAGE CREDIT BCDF studio

Corners and alcoves LEFT A mustard painted wall creates
a distinct study zone in Villa Saint-
Michel in an awkward space under
the apartment’s staircase.
RIGHT A floor to ceiling storage

unit with a hidden door that folds
out to become a desk in Apartment
with a Shoji is a great solution
to incorporate into a corner
or even the end of a passageway.
Using awkward corners and alcoves can be a simple and efficient

way to incorporate additional storage, shelving and workspaces
to your home, as pictured right in APARTMENT WITH SHOJI in Paris,
designed by Marlice Alfera and once again in VILLA SAINT-MICHEL
in Paris. In Bossard’s design, a neat study space has been built
into a tight space under the apartment’s staircase. His design also
allows for essential storage space under the staircase as well for
coats, shoes and other essentials.
Instead of sitting at the dining table to answer your emails, add

a desk to an otherwise neglected corner of your home for a more
comfortable and dedicated work set-up, or create a chic reading
nook with hidden storage to hide away household clutter.
IMAGE CREDIT BCDF studio IMAGE CREDIT Marion Péhée

For those in need of more storage space, a corner can be the LEFT A set of simple wooden shelves
like the ones seen in Jungle Loft are
perfect place to add shelving (as pictured below) and add visual a way to add visual interest and additional
interest and colour with decorative objects, plants, artwork storage to an awkward corner.
or books. It’s all about getting creative to find fun and innovative
ways to use your space in a way that suits you and adds utility,
and ideally, some personality.
IMAGE CREDIT Tangerine Living
LEFT A simple plywood desk

is a great and practical addition
to a neglected corner. 80
Staircases RIGHT The staircase in Camden Loft
features open shelving across the entire
structure, lending it a quasi gallery feel.
Under-stair space can be so much more than a storage space

for large or unsightly household items. In designing JACKIE WINTERS
WATERS , a simple beach shack south-east of Melbourne (pictured
overleaf), architect Imogen Puller used the under-stair space
to create a daybed with shelves and cupboards for extra storage.
She made the most of every centimetre of the small living space
by considering how to use void spaces, making them adaptable
to the living room and the people using it. An open space under
stairs like this could just as easily be utilised as a fun and unique
play space for children, a home office space, or as a mixture
of open and closed storage. IMAGE CREDIT Armando Elias
In CASA CUBO in Buenos Aires, home to architects Matias Michatek

and Torunn Vaksvik Skarstad, a pair of closed intersecting staircases
conceal generous storage as well as a bathroom and powder room
and by contrast, the staircase in CAMDEN LOFT by Craft Design
in London (pictured right), features open shelving across the entire
structure, lending it a quasi gallery feel. Finally, in FLAT ELEVEN
in central Florence, architect/owner Claudio Pierattelli uses his
under-stairs space to house his bike and wall-mounted TV —
two large items that might otherwise have dominated his living
space and upset the balance of his colour scheme.

IMAGE CREDIT Marnie Hawson
ABOVE The under-stair space

in Jackie Winters Waters was used
to create a daybed with shelves
and cupboards for extra storage. 82
Looking up BELOW A full length shelving unit making
clever use of the space above the doorway
Rattan in a Concrete Jungle
IMAGE CREDIT Xue Lan
If you think you’ve used all the possible nooks and crannies and
storage spots in your home, think again. Most of us have at least
one doorway, and that extra space at the top can be the perfect
spot for a mini library, garden or for additional storage needs.
A shelf spanning the length of a doorway or an entire wall

(as seen right in RATTAN IN A CONCRETE JUNGLE ) might help
to reduce floor clutter or even relieve pressure on a bookcase
or shelving elsewhere. Adding some colourful books or other
decorative items and treasures will also help to add a bit
of colour and character to your home.
If you are starting from scratch and have the space to customise
your doorway, you can sneak in built-in shelves that wrap around
the outside of the entire door frame to truly maximise the
storage or display space in your living room.

7. Lighting
up
your
living room
Lighting up your
living room
The right kind of lighting can lift your mood,

help you relax and drive productivity.
The key to lighting for compact spaces is to
use multiple layers that seamlessly integrate.
Whether it is ambient, accent, or task lighting,
different lighting sources transform a space
– not only by brightening the room but by
accommodating the different needs and
functions of the space and our emotions.
Most designers will agree that you need
more than one source of light in your living
room. This chapter will look at the different
types of lighting sources and how best to
style your lights depending on how you use
your space. 85
IMAGE CREDIT Nikos Vavdinoudis and Christos Dimitriou Studiovd
Lighting up your living room 86

Accent lighting Task lighting
Accent lighting is a great way to draw focus to features of your

living room. Whether highlighting artwork, objects of interest,
plants, or amplifying architectural features such as fireplaces
or ceiling arches, the goal is to create contrast between light and
darker spaces in the room to draw the eye and create appeal.
Task lighting is used to create functional lighting for everyday
We can see accent lighting working to great effect in KOLONAKI activities. Desk and floor lamps are great ways to incorporate task
in Athens designed by Cluster Architects (pictured on p. 85) with lighting in the home – whether it is to aid reading on your sofa,
a custom bronze light fitting adding interest to a structural column. knitting, or playing board games with kids.
LEFT Accent lighting can be a great way to

highlight features or areas of interest
in your living room. LEFT Task lighting at play for reading,
knitting or other pursuits.
TIP Running LED light strips on the
bottom of your cabinets or benches TIP Choose a dimmable option to adjust
is an easy way to highlight a part of your the brightness of the light depending
living room or bring light to a void space on your mood or task. Having a gentle light
as also seen in the Kolonaki apartment on in between tasks can make for a more
(pictured p. 85) comfortable and enjoyable setting overall.
Ambient lighting LEFT Playing with different levels
and heights of ambient light can amplify
different angles of your living room
without harsh overhead lights, as seen
in Flat Eleven.
Ambient lighting is typically the main lighting source in a room

and when done well, can be an easy way to add warmth and
a sense of atmosphere to a living space. Beyond the popular down
light, there are countless ways to create ambient lighting, such
as pendants, track lights or wall-mounted lights. Ideally, you’re
aiming for a soft wash (or multiple soft washes) of light rather
than bright or intense illumination.
LEFT Ambient lighting is about

creating soft washes of light.
TIP Opt for warm-toned bulbs

over cooler colours to avoid making
your living room feel like a visit
to the dentist. Play with different
levels and heights of ambient light
IMAGE CREDIT Iuri Niccolai
to amplify different angles of your
living room without harsh overhead
lights (as demonstrated to beautiful
Lighting up your living room effect in Flat Eleven pictured left).
Lighting tips and tricks
AVOID ONLY USING DOWNLIGHTS BE STRATEGIC MOUNT IT MAKE IT DIMMABLE
While practical, downlights can sometimes Place light fittings strategically in your living If floor space is at a premium, and you need Dimmable lights offer immediate and welcome
make it more difficult to switch off after a long room depending on how you use the space. your lighting to work especially hard for you, flexibility and are typically an easy feature
day. Consider adding other layers of lighting, For instance, ensuring you have the right type of consider rail-mounted or wall-mounted lighting for an electrician to retrofit.
such as ambient styles in multiple locations lighting for reading on the couch, or where you as Nicholas Gurney did in TARA (pictured below
in the space. work from home. left). In addition to saving on floor space, this
style of lighting provides greater flexibility if you BE SMART
want to change the layout of your room and can Smart lights can offer even more control
TWO’S A CROWD DUAL PURPOSE double as both task and accent lighting. and flexibility and particularly if you like the idea
Focus on one key hero light, like a pendant In small rooms, artwork can often get bumped of changing the hues of your lighting
or floor lamp, so that key light sources don’t down on the priority list. Try incorporating with your moods and activities.
LIGHT IT UP
fight one another in your space. fittings that feel like features, like gon architects
did in SOLA HOUSE (pictured below right) with Lighting in or underneath storage or shelving
the PH 5 Pendant designed by Louis Poulsen. can add visual interest and a subtle glow to
We especially love the red ‘Applique A Volet an otherwise potentially dim patch of your room.
Pivotant’ wall lights in the passage designed
by Charlotte Perriand (pictured below left).
LEFT Rail mounted and wall mounted

lighting saves valuable floor space and
creates flexibility if you want to change
the layout later as seen in Tara.
RIGHT Try incorporating fittings that feel

like features like this red ‘Applique A Volet
Pivotant’ wall lights in Sola House.
IMAGE CREDIT Terence Chin IMAGE CREDIT Imagen Subliminal (Miguel de Guzmán + Rocío Romero)

LEFT The popular PH 5 Pendant
designed by Louis Poulsen takes centre
stage in Sola House.

8. How to
make your
small space
feel bigger
How to make your small space feel bigger 92
How to make your
small space feel bigger
It is our hope that you will have already

gathered plenty of ideas and inspiration for
how to make your small living space feel
bigger from this guide. As detailed in previous
chapters, your furniture choices and how you
approach storage in your space will make a
significant difference to how your space feels
and certainly how big it feels.
Below you will find a few more great ideas
that we’ve seen successfully applied across
a vast number of homes featured on NTS
and many of which our contributing experts
consider to be ‘must-dos’ in small spaces.
The bottom line is: a room doesn’t need to be
enormous to feel spacious. Put to work one or
two of these concepts in your space and you
will notice a difference. 93
Reducing visual clutter Some tips on reducing
visual clutter
GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING BASKETS, TRAYS AND HOOKS
Any work you’ve already done reflecting These are all simple and inexpensive ways
on how you use your space, which items within to help keep you feeling more organised
your space are used regularly, and which items and your space calmer.
in your living space give you pleasure to see
daily, should serve up some quick wins. These
might include ideas for what you could easily FOR BOOK WORMS
store out of sight and an idea of any new If you have a lot of books jammed into a shelf,
storage solutions you might need to find for a little effort spent on grouping them by height
things you want to keep in easy reach. or size may make a big and immediate difference
to how you feel about your living room.
SCAN YOUR SPACE
It doesn’t matter if you are a keen collector with many treasures Try visually scanning your entire living DO YOU NEED A TV?
or a committed minimalist, ensuring that everything has its place area in a slow 360 degree turn while If you don’t watch a lot of TV, ditch it.
will help immeasurably without demanding a dramatic purge paying close attention to your emotional Removing a TV from your space (along with
of your belongings or the need to banish them all from sight! responses. Notice which details and an AV or media unit if you have one) will
Having a ‘home’ for everything will also have the benefit of making elements please you and which provoke immediately reduce visual clutter. Consider
your space feel more generous and well organised and calm. a niggle of irritation (I must deal with that investing in a small projector instead for more
stack of mail!) or even regret (why did I buy occasional viewing that could be stored in a
Curtains can be an extremely elegant and effective way to minimise
that?!) as these responses will show up cupboard or drawer. If having a TV is important
visual clutter. One of our favourite examples is architect Michael
the areas that need your early attention. to you, consider whether you need an AV/
Roper’s CAIRO MICRO APARTMENT in Melbourne (pictured on page 92).
Using a handsome full-height curtain that spans the length media unit or not. Is it possible to wall mount
of the apartment , the designer could quickly bring visual calm your TV instead? Unsightly cables can either
to his living room by concealing his full height storage wall that be concealed inside walls or via a range
contained all of his books, belongings and clothing. of sleeves or cable covers available online.

THIS PAGE A custom cut round
mirror in Paris Duplex Extension reflects
the graphic cantilever birch plywood
staircases opposite and functions like
a work of art on the wall.
IMAGE CREDIT Archibien.com
How to make your small space feel bigger

Mirrors
Mirrors are a small footprint space’s best friend. Many of us,

by instinct, will hang a mirror near our entrance and while this
is an extremely practical location for a mirror, there are so many
other use cases to explore. Designers will often incorporate
mirrors into small living rooms to create the illusion of a larger
area, bouncing light about the space and highlighting different
perspectives or the view from a window.
One of our favourite tricks is using mirrors at the bottom

of a cabinet near the skirting board to give the floor a sense of
extension as seen in BAYSIDE. By capturing the eye, the mirror
tricks the brain into calculating the space as being much more
open and larger than it is. Similarly, mirrored cabinets are a clever
way to expand a room without adding visual clutter, as seen
in TYPE STREET (pictured below) or Thomas Fournier’s APPARTEMENT
HAUT MARAIS in Paris, with his mirrored panels (also pictured left)
LEFT Mirrored panels in Appartement Haut

Marais give the illusion of a much larger
space, whilst also cleverly concealing what
is behind them.
IMAGE CREDIT Alexander Nino
RIGHT Mirrored cabinets are a great way

to expand a room without adding visual
clutter, as seen in Type Street.
IMAGE CREDIT Tess Kelly 96

LEFT The considered placement
of a mirror on the bedroom door visually
expands the sense of space in Sola House
97
THIS PAGE A central storage pod
We also love the dramatic usage of mirrors in an audience and clad in gold mirrored panels in The Warren
NTS team favourite THE WARREN in Sydney, designed by Nicholas reflects light and amplifies the visual
Gurney. Nicholas clad a central storage pod in the apartment in impact of the client’s extensive collection
of plants and artwork.
gold mirrored panels that reflect light and amplify the visual impact
of the client’s extensive collection of plants and artwork.
When it comes to small spaces, as far as mirrors are concerned,

it’s fairly hard to go wrong and they can go just about anywhere —
on cabinetry, on the backs of doors, at the end of a hallway
or passage, or at the back of shelving. Furthermore, an artfully
placed or particularly striking mirror can become a standalone
feature or even artwork in its own right.
IMAGE CREDIT Michael Wee

Materials and colour
Continuity in materials is a technique we see designers and

architects use regularly in projects featured on NTS. At its most
successful, exercising restraint when it comes to materials and
colour can amplify the sense of space in a living room by creating
a sense of seamlessness.
MATERIALS COLOUR
Repetition in materials is a way to A similar effect can be achieved

reduce visual clutter and has a similar with repetitions in colour or closely
effect in making a space feel calmer matched hues and tones. In some
and larger. If you have a warm toned of our favourite examples, cleverly
timber floor in your living room, you selected furniture can almost
might consider echoing these warm seem to disappear against a colour
timber tones elsewhere with shelving matched wall. In HOME IN AKATSUTSUMI
cabinetry or a side or coffee table (pictured overleaf), designed by
to achieve this aim. In Brad Swartz’s Small Design Studio’s Kumiko Ouchi,
BONECA we see this principle applied a prominent and generous window
with the blackbutt timber used in his does much to enhance the sense
sliding screen and timber floorboards. of space in the living room, but it’s
In a more exaggerated example, broad the unified colour palette of pearl
oak floorboards blend into walls and grey across different materials that
a ceiling clad in closely matched birch amplifies the glow of natural light from
plywood in Timothy’ Yee’s Japanese the window making it feel open and
and Scandinavian inspired ITINERANT generous. The natural and calming
RIGHT The clever use
(pictured right). colour palette employed in CITY VEIL of wooden floorboards and
allows a cream sofa to recede gently cabinetry in a similar colour
and texture throughout
against a cream painted wall rather than Itinerant visually expands
dominating the compact living room. the space.
How to make your small space feel bigger IMAGE CREDIT Jack Lovel
IMAGE CREDIT Yumi Saito
ABOVE The repetition of the colour
grey throughout Home in Akatsutsumi’s
living room creates a seamless and
cohesive space.

Paint
To maximise the light in a room, try of that surface being further away,
using lighter colours that will reflect thus making your room feel larger
the light, like whites, beiges or pastel (as illustrated with a dramatic black
colours such as yellow or peach. ceiling in LUINI in Turin, Italy, designed
A paint that is higher in gloss is also by Davide Minervini and pictured
more reflective. So, consider painting on the right).
your ceiling in a higher-gloss or semi-
The beauty of paint, of course,
gloss finish paint to bounce light
is that you can paint over it! So
about your space.
it can be a fun way to experiment
Finally, many people assume that with colour in your space and
dark colours are best avoided in small a relatively inexpensive exercise,
IMAGE CREDIT Alessandro Santi
spaces as they close them in but especially if you’re able to do
ABOVE A dramatic black ceiling
painting a wall a cool colour, like dark it yourself. in Luini makes the ceiling feel like
blue or green, can give the illusion it is much higher than it is.

Flooring RIGHT a highly polished concrete
IMAGE CREDIT Giuseppe Gradella

floor in Monolocale EFFE reflects the
light from the large windows making
the room appear larger than it is.
Just like paint, different flooring materials can determine whether

a room feels compact or open. Choosing lighter-coloured flooring
can open the space up. Cream carpets, neutral-toned tiles or
whitewashed floorboards are just some examples of light-coloured
options that can make a room feel airy and appear larger. Another
trick (that is not for everyone) is to opt for a reflective floor surface,
such as a highly polished concrete or terrazzo (as pictured below
in MONOLOCALE EFFE in Mantua, Italy, designed by Archiplan Studio).
Sticking to one flooring type throughout your space can also

create a seamless effect and flow from room to room, expanding
the sense of volume in the room. While it may not be possible
to stick to one flooring material throughout your entire apartment,
limiting the number of materials will prevent the space from feeling
too divided.
How to make your small space feel bigger

IMAGE CREDIT Iuri Niccolai
ABOVE French herringbone parquet
floors throughout Flat Eleven expand
the sense of volume in the space. Their
light natural finish and semi reflective
surface helps illuminate the whole flat.

Sliding and folding doors
In a small home, traditional hinged doors can
dominate precious floor space so space-saving
options like bi-fold doors, sliding doors and pocket
doors can be a great solution to turn to.
BI-FOLD DOORS POCKET DOORS
The unique folding action of a bi-fold door While they can be difficult to retrofit to an
means the door in question only requires existing design, pocket doors are a worthy
half the opening space compared with that and extremely effective space-saving feature
of a standard door. Consisting of two panels to include in a new design or refurbishment.
that slide to one side, folding up against each Pocket doors function like a sliding door but
other when opened, a bi-fold door can work instead slide into a cavity in an adjacent wall.
particularly well for storage spaces, cupboards This ‘disappearing’ quality makes them an ideal
or even a hidden home office set up. choice for a minimalist aesthetic or where wall
space is at a premium as the wall space around
the doorway remains usable for artwork, mirrors
SLIDING DOORS and shelving.
Sliding doors take up even less space as
An additional benefit is that the floor space
they sit flush against a wall when opened
immediately against the wall housing the
and can add privacy without impacting floor
pocket door also remains usable, leaving
space. Consider a fluted glass door or shoji
more space for furniture and storage. In fact,
screen style sliding door to exchange light
choosing a pocket door over a traditional
between rooms, or stick with a solid sliding
hinged door can save you up to almost
door for maximum privacy between spaces.
one sq m (10 sq ft) of precious floor space,
In MICHELET , l’atelier nomadic architecture
which, in small living spaces, we know, can
studio refitted the internal doors in the IMAGE CREDIT Tim Van De Velde
make all the difference! ABOVE Replacing traditional hinge doors
apartment with a series of custom sliding with sliding doors can help reclaim valuable
doors to free up valuable floor space and floor space as seen through-out Michelet
convert a one bedroom apartment into

an adaptable home for a family of five.

IMAGE CREDIT HDP Photography
ABOVE Bi-fold doors conceal a TV cabinet

and additional storage in Candy Cube. 105
Thank you.
We hope you are now feeling inspired or even
well on your way to transforming your living
room into what you wish it to be. Whether
you need a space that is more functional and
organised, a space that better reflects you and
your style or a space that simply feels bigger,
we truly hope this guide has helped to deliver
some quick wins, big ideas and more.
As you embark on making changes in your
space, please share them with us! We always
love to hear from our audience and seeing how
the inspiration we seek to share via NTS makes
a difference in your homes and lives. After all,
this is why we do what we do.
Thank you for your support in purchasing
this guide. As we often say, your support means
the world, and it does.
P.S. If you enjoyed this guide, be sure
to check out our others!
106
Published on May 2023
by Never Too Small
nevertoosmall.com
youtube.com/@nevertoosmall
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced,

stored in a retrieval system or transmitted
in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the prior written permission of the publishers
and copyright holders.
The moral rights of the author have been asserted.
Copyright text © NTS
Creator: Colin Chee

Publishing Director: James McPherson
Editor: Elizabeth Price
Editorial Team: Colin Chee, Lindsay-Jane Barnard,
Elizabeth Price and Simone Ziaziaris
Contributors:
Mariah Burton | Folk Studio
Nicholas Gurney | Nicholas Gurney
Jack Chen & Hidy Wong | Tsai Design
Illustration: Sam Kenneally

Art Direction: Evi-O.Studio | Evi O.
Design: Evi-O.Studio | Susan Le & Matt Crawford

Ebin - Pub Never Too Small Essential Guide To Your Living Room

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Ebin - Pub Never Too Small Essential Guide To Your Living Room

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Never Essential guide to

Too your living room

2. Finding your 6. Awkward spaces 71

4. Furniture 35 8. How to make your

Mariah Burton Nicholas Gurney Jack Chen and Hidy Wong

welcome to our guide, we feel privileged to share with you the

﻿ LOVE, COLIN AND THE NTS TEAM X 5

Interior designers will often start their consultation by asking you

Finding your style 13

Style is a visual way of telling your story and

IMAGE CREDIT Folk Studio

Think of ‘Mood Board A’ as your ultimate design outcome and

Finding your style 15

Finding your style 16

Start by collating colour schemes, furniture pieces and accessories

Try to find images of these items on a plain white background

LAY IT ALL DOWN

GIVE IT SOME TIME

Finding your style 17

Colour is such a personal and subjective thing. You may want

If you lean towards a more flamboyant, or eccentric kind of design

Finding your style 19

CONSIDER MOOD AND EMOTION

Think about how you want (and want

Use colour to connect your spaces

SET THE SCENE

If you have some special artwork

Finding your style 20

IMAGE CREDIT Yiannis Hadjiaslanis

Now that you’ve thought about defining your

To accommodate their needs, designer Desh Chew from Three-D

Chew also selected two tables on wheels that could be pushed

Bulky furniture, such as sofas, television cabinets, armchairs

LEFT Placing a sofa and dining seating

ABOVE Two tables on wheels in Waterloo Street

IMAGE CREDIT Peter Clarke

Similarly, bookshelves or other freestanding cabinets and

IMAGE CREDIT Fernando Schapochnik

LEFT Studiomama’s Metamorphic

IMAGE CREDIT BCDF studio

RIGHT A burgundy-rose painted feature

Using contrasting paint colours is a quick, budget-friendly way

IMAGE CREDIT Form practice

Materials and finishes

Those who are a little braver might experiment with materials

BELOW A wall-mounted swing arm

IMAGE CREDIT Giuseppe Gradella

IMAGE CREDIT Bertrand Noël

The living room is a space that has multiple functions and

Particularly in open-plan designs, hanging a statement pendant

A floor lamp nestled behind a sofa or armchair can create

Different furniture heights can also work to define and separate

When space is at a premium, having a study or dedicated home

In MARK II (pictured overleaf) Nicholas Gurney included a niche with

A multifunctional floor-to-ceiling cabinet in the living room

ABOVE An integrated work-from-home ABOVE A home office can be revealed

If you’re starting from scratch, consider

GO LOW A WALL BED/SOFA COMBINATION

A modular sofa like the chaise lounge combo

Furniture and furnishings 37

ABOVE A pair of custom covered

IMAGE CREDIT Get Hands Dirty

Defining your needs will determine your sofa’s importance.

LOVE, COLIN AND THE NTS TEAM X 5