INSPIRING SMALL SPACES

from: http://www.hgtv.com

Don't let the lack of square footage stifle creativity. See how designers and Rate My Spacers transform their tiny digs.



Use the Entire Wall

Be a collector and a small space dweller with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, like the ones designer Luis Caicedo created for this book lover's bedroom. Different sized alcoves create visual interest and fit the need for larger and smaller books without wasting any space.



Smart Furnishings

Floating nightstands are a perfect solution for petite bedrooms. Most have a drawer or an open area for storage, but they don't take up valuable floor space, which helps the room look larger than it actually is. Design by Rethink Design Studio.



Maximize Your View

A favorite accessory for anyone decorating a small room, mirrors make a space appear larger and create appealing views, especially when placed across a favorite piece of artwork, cool furnishings or a well-designed display.



Stand Out Pattern

Expand the room visually with an oversized graphic that can also act as a one-of-a-kind headboard. RMSer Rethink Design Studio uses a calming neutral palette to push back the walls and adds a collection of small mirrors to bounce light around the room.



Open Up the Walls

Don't weigh down kitchen walls with bulky cabinets. Use colorful open shelving to create the illusion of more space, while still providing plenty of storage.



Everything in Its Place

Tiny pantry? No problem. Use fun woven and wire baskets to keep all your pantry staples in line. Place similar items together on the shelves and make sure the space is well lit.



Two Rooms in One

Get the most out of a small space by having it serve double duty. In this home office/guest bedroom, designer Erica Islas uses a desk that slides out of the way so a Murphy bed can be pulled down when guests are staying.



Built-In Alcoves

A corner between two windows often stays empty because it's hard to find a piece of furniture that fits. Transform it with a built-in corner cabinet to display collectibles, like RMSer Tetbury, or to store books and magazines.

A 430 sq ft Rennovated Apartment in Tel Aviv

From: http://www.littlediggs.com

This is another excellent example of the use of a 'cube' as a solution for maximizing space, utility, functionality, and design.

Following Tel-Aviv’s soaring housing prices over the last 3 years, many people were forced to renovate their existing apartments instead of selling and buying bigger ones.

This owner decided to transform her studio apartment into a 1 bedroom, including storage units, a large separate kitchen and a full size queen bedroom.

As a design solution, we chose to condense all the programmatic functions and storage units into a cube which was centered in the middle of the space, thus dividing the apartments into 4 zones, while maintaining a 360 degree circulation around it, which makes the space seem endless and bigger than it actually is.

By adding sliding doors that disappear into the cube, the space can be altered according to the time of day and the various needs of the owner, contributing further more to the sense of a multi-functional and multi-layered space.

SMALL KITCHEN DESIGNS

From: www.free-home-decorating-ideas.com

Hoover: Simplicity and an inventive use of space make these small kitchens not just functional but beautiful as well!

These small kitchen ideas that will help you make the most of your space:

*Purge relentlessly and get rid of everything you don't need.

*Keep your kitchen clutter-free.

*Invest in small kitchen appliances.

*Create pull-out and foldaway surfaces.

*Use the walls for storage.

*Hang racks and rails from the ceiling for storing pots, pans, and utensils.

*Put shelves inside as many of the cupboards as you can for twice the storage.

*Use the backs of doors for spice racks or utensil storage.

*Put drawers at the bottom of your cabinets behind the kick-plate.

*Buy a cutting board that fits over the top of the sink.

*Use shiny surfaces and glossy paint to make your small kitchen feel bigger.

Storage is always a big issue in small kitchen design. Add wall-mounted racks and shelves to maximize storage. This kitchen is given a modern edge with wall mountedstainless steel shelving.

This is a very efficient and effective small kitchen design -- they've used every bit of available space from the backs of doors to walls. They've even added additional shelving in the pantry to double the storage space. Wall hooks and door racks are essential to a clutter-free kitchen.

If you have the space, buy a rack to hang your pots and pans from the ceiling. Pot hangers are especially nice because they keep your pots and pans from getting scratched and they keep everything within arms reach.

Ikea has a lot of storage options for optimizing a small kitchen. These simple wall mounted systems are great for spices and utensils. Rosle also makes a very nice customizable open kitchen collection.

What a beautiful eclectic kitchen design. By purging everything but the bare essentials, this pint-sized kitchen feels inviting and comfortable.

This miniature galley-style kitchen is perfect for someone who doesn't eat or cook at home very much.

The vintage plates on the wall transform this small kitchen into a quaint little country kitchen design while lovely accessories like the silver tea kettle and retro espresso machine add class.

Small kitchen design ideas always address the need for lots of storage. Furniture on castors and wall-mounted peg boards are a great way to add temporary storage.

The pastel blue and white make this small kitchen feel open and spacious. Modern features like the wall mounted pot rack, retro stools, and stainless steel accessories go well with the vintage cabinets and checkered cork tile floor.

Usually small kitchens are short on wall-space, which makes it hard to personalize with artwork and accessories. In this case, colorful wallpaper adds a lot of character while still leaving room for shelving and extra storage.

Even the smallest kitchen can incorporate a country-cottage kitchen style by keeping it light and airy.

OPEN CLOSETS IN SMALL SPACES

from: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com

Hoover: "Storage can be a problem in a small apartment. One solution would be to devote a portion of the wall to storage, using a closet system, freestanding rack, or a converted shelf."

Small-Space Home Offices

from: http://www.bhg.com

Hoover: Having a home office nowadays is becoming a necessity. Spare bedrooms aren't the only spaces that make great home offices. A closet, a corner, a hallway, or even the kitchen island can become the perfect work area both in small or big spaces.



Small But Efficient

Simplicity is key in small spaces. A cozy nook like this needs only the essentials. This built-indesk has one large drawer for files and smallerdrawers for office supplies. Semicustomcabinetry options are an affordable way to get exactly what you want. Consult your local cabinetry store or home center to explore design options. Or measure your nook and hunt down a ready-made desk that will fit your space.



Rearranged Furniture

Move your sofa to the center of your living room or family and use the space behind it as a home office. An elegant glass-top desk and narrow credenza occupy the space behind the sofa. With this arrangement, if your TV is centered in front of your sofa, your desk will be too, providing entertainment while you work.



Along the Wall

A wall of solid shelves can sometimes dominate a room, so change it up a bit by adding a desk between shelving units, or in this case, between a bookcase and armoire. To unify the elements and achieve the look of a built-in, keep everything the same color.



Kitchen Niche

Pay bills and cook a casserole without ever leaving the kitchen. All this is possible with adesk conveniently located in a kitchen nook. Let the spaces flow into one another by using the same material and hardware for yourcabinetry. Here, a simple surface extension provides the perfect amount of space for a single workstation in the heart of your home.



Smooth Transition

Utilize spare kitchen space by adding adjustable wire shelving to bare walls. Create a seamless transition by continuing the kitchencolor scheme in the underdesk storage area.



Island Hideaway

Add office space to the list of many functions a kitchen island provides. A drop-leaf table slides out from under this island, an ideal spot for doing homework, using a laptop, or paying bills. Storage drawers above the table are handy for storing bills, paper, pens, stamps, and more. When not in use, the table slides back into the island and is concealed behindcabinet doors that match the island's style.



Rethink Your Space

Put an extra closet to use by converting it into a clever and inexpensive workstation. Remove the doors and any extra shelving, paint the interior of the closet, and simply add a desk. To polish off the new nook, install baseboards to match the rest of the room and add task lighting, like these pendant lamps, to illuminate the space.



From Nook to Office

The spare bedroom shouldn't be just for guests. Make the most of a seldom-used space by adding a home office. A sleek, narrow deskand simple furniture increases its functionality without being too distracting. When guests arrive, this room can accommodate work and relaxation in a stylish setting.



Space with a View

Turn your window area into a small office. Install a built-in desk and shelves under a large window for a work area with a view. Here, a wooden ledge mounted under the windowsill serves as a countertop, supported by a shelving unit that ties into its surroundings.



All-in-One Space

With spaces to work, sleep, and relax, there's hardly a reason to leave this master suite. Thisdesk is tucked into the short hall between the master bath and bedroom. The stained pineflooring ties the office space to the other areas of the master suite.



Hallway Hideout

Hallways provide lots of opportunities for multifunctional spaces. This desk is tucked into the end of an upstairs hallway. The windowabove the built-in desk provides a nice view of the neighborhood. The library ladder makes it easy to reach stored books and office supplies.



Double Take

A two-sided desk doubles the workspace, but not the used floor space. This desk is assembled from an unfinished bookcase and a laminate-covered piece of medium-density fiberboard structured by two pairs of legs. The whole structure is just 5 feet long.