| Stylish solutions for small spaces | | | | 'The majority of bathroom brochures show spaces |
| They say size isn't everything. When it comes to | | | | the size of a ballroom,' says Robin Levien of Ideal |
| your home, though, none of us would say no to a | | | | Standard. 'In reality, the average bathroom in the UK |
| little bit extra. Here in the UK, we have the smallest | | | | is around the size of a king-size bed, so it's essential |
| living spaces in Europe by quite a considerable margin. | | | | to make the most of every inch.' Compact ceramics |
| There are, however, many advantages to living in a | | | | ranges can be a real boon. 'Basins that are wider than |
| more compact home. | | | | they are deep can solve all kinds of problems,' |
| 'Small spaces are more economical to run,' points out | | | | continues Robin. 'And a corner toilet cistern can allow |
| Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Small Spaces. 'And | | | | you to have a mini en-suite in the corner of a |
| because the surface areas you are dealing with are | | | | bedroom, with a shower, basin and toilet all in the |
| more limited, you can choose more luxurious materials | | | | space of a regular corner bath. Or choose a compact |
| and high-end details. Small-space living also | | | | tub, which can free up room for something else.' |
| concentrates the mind as, with less room to play | | | | Check out the Space and Concept ranges by Ideal |
| with, you need to be quite focused and selective - | | | | Standard. |
| which is no bad thing.' | | | | Clever solutionso 'Built-in bathroom cabinets don't |
| 'Start by thinking about the house as a whole and | | | | need to be any more than 4in deep,' says architect |
| assess the areas where things are tight,' suggests | | | | Mark Dyson. 'It's possible to dismantle a stud wall and |
| architect Mark Dyson. 'Think about your priorities and | | | | replace it with structural MDF carcases to create |
| how you need to use the space, then you can plan | | | | storage without devouring precious floor space.'o 'Lift |
| multifunctional zones.' | | | | units off the floor,' says Guy Morgan Harris. 'A room |
| Living in a restricted space means your home has to | | | | looks bigger if you can see the whole floor up to the |
| work much harder, but clever design, careful planning | | | | walls.'o 'Mirrors can be used to great effect, but too |
| and a considered approach will allow it to run | | | | much can look kitsch,' says Mark Dyson. 'An L-shaped |
| smoothly without compromising an inch of your own | | | | mirror [that goes round a corner] can quadruple the |
| personal style. | | | | feeling of volume.'o Boxed-in cisterns provide the |
| Clever solutions for compact living spaces | | | | opportunity to create extra storage, and why not |
| Clever planning can often compensate for a shortage | | | | reclaim the area under a built-in bath with bespoke |
| of square footage. Knocking two rooms into one can | | | | drawers for towels or bath toys?o 'We installed a |
| provide a multifunctional area that will instantly feel | | | | raised walk-in shower where the floor lifts up to |
| bigger. You can then define zones with flooring or | | | | reveal a bath,' says architect Paul McAneary. 'It also |
| furniture. And bringing in more light wherever possible | | | | turns into a steam cabin, so it's multifunctional and |
| will also open up a room. | | | | compact.' |
| Clever solutionso Good storage is key to keeping | | | | Clever solutions for compact bedrooms |
| things uncluttered, and a wall of floor-to-ceiling | | | | In order to create a peaceful retreat, a bedroom |
| cupboards will provide lots of space while requiring a | | | | needs to be as clutter-free as possible. Most people |
| relatively small footprint.o 'Built-in benches can be | | | | have a considerable amount of clothing, so first-class |
| crafted to include a surprising amount of hidden | | | | storage is essential. Built-in storage systems eat up |
| storage,' says Guy Morgan Harris.o Make the most of | | | | less floor space than freestanding furniture. 'When |
| hidden space by removing the partition wall between | | | | planning your hanging space, measure the length of |
| studs to create display storage, building shelving in | | | | your clothes rail, then add 20 per cent,' advises Peter |
| the eaves, or even by using the void under your | | | | Friend of Hülsta. |
| floorboards. 'Install a ring-pull latch and make ply | | | | Clever solutionso Recoup valuable space by forgoing |
| boxes to store stuff in,' says Guy. Great for wine or | | | | bedside tables. Instead, install a shelf on the wall |
| toys.o 'In double-height properties, a mezzanine or | | | | behind the bed that can be used for bedtime reading |
| platform can be a good way to separate living and | | | | material and an alarm clock.o You can't compromise |
| sleeping areas,' says Elizabeth Wilhide, author of Small | | | | on the size of your bed, but you can try to make it |
| Spaces. (Consult building regs first.)o Wall-mount your | | | | work harder. Underbed boxes or beds with built-in |
| TV and conceal your DVD and hi-fi.o Use a chest | | | | drawers or shelves utilise the redundant area |
| instead of a coffee table for extra storage. | | | | underneath. Flip-up beds also ensure space is put to |
| Clever solutions for compact kitchens | | | | good use. Remember, too, that low-level beds are |
| With so much emphasis these days on huge kitchen | | | | less visually dominating than lofty |
| living areas, it's easy to feel hard done by if your | | | | princess-and-the-pea style ones.o Fold-down beds |
| home is small. But, as Elizabeth Wilhide, author of | | | | used to be cumbersome and ugly, but now there are |
| Small Spaces, points out, 'Professional cooks prefer a | | | | some really well-designed models. They can be |
| more compact kitchen as they are easier to work in.' | | | | expensive, but if you have a studio and are going to |
| If in doubt, get some professional design input and | | | | be using it every day rather than in a guest room, |
| keep things streamlined; a smaller space will benefit | | | | then it's essential to invest. A pull-down bed combined |
| from being as fuss-free as possible. Choose fitted | | | | with a pull-down desk can make a small spare room a |
| units, which are the best option for making a small | | | | really multifunctional space.o 'A sleeping space doesn't |
| space work efficiently. | | | | necessarily need to be fully enclosed,' says Elizabeth |
| Clever solutions | | | | Wilhide, author of Small Spaces. 'Screening a space |
| Many units finish short of the ceiling, which is a waste | | | | with a partition or sliding doors can provide privacy |
| of valuable inches. Choose full-height storage and | | | | without blocking light. Or, in an open-plan area, a |
| keep lesser-used items in the higher cupboards. | | | | mezzanine or raised platform divides things up.' |
| Alternatively, install wine racks into any spare space.o | | | | Clever solutions for hidden spaces |
| If necessary, compress the kitchen along one wall. | | | | Hallways and staircases can take up a |
| '2.8m is the minimum width you can fit a compact but | | | | disproportionate amount of space, especially in older |
| very useable kitchen in to,' says architect Mark | | | | properties. Don't let precious square footage go to |
| Dyson. 'This will accommodate an under-counter | | | | waste - instead reclaim every nook with some clever |
| fridge, oven, hob, sink with a concealed bin, a slimline | | | | adaptations. |
| dishwasher and storage while still providing the | | | | Clever solutionso Understair cupboards can become a |
| minimum distance requirement between the sink and | | | | dumping ground for unwanted items, so clear out the |
| hob.'o No utility room? 'House your washing machine | | | | clutter and transform the cubby under the stairs into |
| and a dryer in a deep cupboard,' says architect Paul | | | | an extra cloakroom.o Taking down a wall that |
| McAneary. 'Hide the appliances behind a folding door.'o | | | | encloses a staircase can really open things up. If |
| Keep cleaning materials, chopping boards and spices | | | | you're installing a new staircase, think about |
| to hand with some custom-made splashback storage. | | | | incorporating big, deep drawers with push-click |
| All you need is 15cm at the back of the work | | | | catches, or even create drawers in the risers of the |
| surface to create super-slim storage for these | | | | steps. What better place to store slippers and |
| everyday essentials.o Mechanisms such as drawer | | | | shoes?o 'In stairwells, remove the balustrades and fill |
| dividers and magic corners keep things neat and | | | | the gap with book shelves. You can also use landings |
| utilise awkward spaces. 'Don't forget low-level | | | | or even half landings (where stairs turn) to house a |
| storage,' says Graeme MacLaren of Dinwiddie | | | | condensed work station or mini library,' says architect |
| MacLaren Architects. 'Plinth drawers are perfect for | | | | Mark Dyson.o A compact office can be hidden in a |
| storing flat items such as baking trays or tea | | | | cupboard, so it's instantly tidied away at the end of |
| towels.'o Max the feeling of light in a space-starved | | | | the day.o A window ledge can be widened to create |
| kitchen with reflective surfaces, such as high-gloss | | | | a cosy seat.o Spiral stairs can be a great space |
| lacquer, a glass worktop, chrome or even a mirrored | | | | saver, as can alternate-tread ones that allow |
| splashback. | | | | staircases to rise at a steeper angle. |
| Clever solutions for compact bathrooms | | | | |