Small WONDERS

Compact rooms can be awkward, but they're a great chance to get creative with design. We share tips, techniques and furniture to make the most of smaller spaces...

- JENNY OLDAKER

Whether it's a narrow hallway, a bijou living room or a tiny kitchen you're dealing with, small spaces are often seen as a challenge best avoided if you don't want to end up feeling cramped and overcrowded. But tackled the right way, small rooms can be just as stylish and characterful as larger spaces, and they're a great opportunity for a little creative lateral thinking.

"The advice for small rooms is often to choose smaller furniture, but the key is to be selective with scale,' says Sallie King, founder of Urbansize, which specialises in designing furniture for smaller spaces. 'Keep your hero pieces big to maximise the A function of the room: in a bedroom, choose the largest bed that will work in the space, and the same goes for the sofa in a living room.' These can be paired with smaller-scale items, and if you maintain some space around the furniture, the room will feel more spacious.

Multi-use furniture is another key to making the most of your space; sofa beds, storage benches and drop-leaf or extending tables are among the pieces that will maximise the function of a room. Likewise, folding furniture, which can be brought out as and when it's needed, is great for rooms that are tight on space, while clever storage is vital in keeping clutter to a minimum. Even the smallest details can make a difference. 'Avoid chunky handles where possible,' says Sallie. 'Not only can they be a bump hazard, but opting for recessed handles will provide a smooth, clean finish that enhances the feeling of space.'

Think about the space above and below your furniture. 'Furniture on slim legs, where you can see the floor underneath, gives the illusion of depth and so generates a feeling of spaciousness, Sallie advises. Making use of vertical spaces will also keep floors clear, so shelving, hooks and hanging storage are excellent accessories to work with.