How to Create Happiness at Home by Maximizing Your Small Spaces

Ready, set, go...HOME!
During an unprecedented year where we are home more than ever, it is so important to make every space in our homes count. Those small spaces can be efficient as well as stylish, impactful and, most importantly, joyful. There used to be silly rules around small spaces, such as: no dark colors; don’t use too many patterns; or “you couldn’t possibly do that there.” I am going to show you how I made great use of small spaces -- tips that saved us during quarantine --  while debunking those old rules. 

The Vestibule

This vestibule not only brings a sense of welcome and intrigue as soon as you open the door, but it works hard, too. The vintage cabinet I found at an antique market has drawers for hats, gloves, and other winter gear as well as supplies for the summer such as sunglasses, face masks, and UV protection. The coat rack is a mid-century modern classic design (Eames Hang It All from Design Within Reach) and it certainly does just that. 

The myth that too much color or pattern won’t work in a small space is totally debunked here. The wallpaper gives a big impact in a soft blue-and-white colorway of Timorous Beasties’s Urban Toile. I enjoy looking at the patterns while putting on my shoes. The rug is handmade in Mexico and is pure hand-dyed wool. It has held up surprisingly well despite the New England winters.

I like to find fun objects to make the space stylish; check out these decorative brass birds found on Chairish.

The Exercise Room

Having a room dedicated to exercise is a luxury beyond many of us, so we often have to find nooks and any small spare space to put a bike or a yoga mat.  Making this space well designed can bring happiness so it doesn’t feel like a chore to be there. Here we dedicated a passageway between two areas of our garden level. There are no walls separating the space, so I made it feel like it's its own room by using a gorgeous dark paint color (Mahogany by Farrow and Ball) and a fun graphic rug by Aelfie. The “no dark colors” in a small space rule is, once again, totally debunked here, especially since the dark color is perfect for spin classes while helping the bike disappear when not in use. I also used a vintage chair reupholstered in a Romo Fabric, some vintage art, a bamboo mirror, and a modern wall light by Marset to both set a mood and call my name.

The Home Office

Here, the rule of “you couldn’t possibly do that there” myth gets thrown out with this beautiful, light-filled home office. Where space is scarce in our homes we need to get creative about how we use every nook. We maximized this stair landing and passageway to a spare bedroom with a home office. The custom made live-edge desk brings a big impact to this small space and I just love the rich chocolate painted legs (in Farrow and Ball’s Mahogany) to elevate its beauty. The adorable ceramic ceiling light is by Cedar and Moss and the walls are painted in Dimity, also by Farrow and Ball. The Gubi desk light lends a modern element to juxtapose my client’s ornate antique chair. The kilim rug, hand made gold desk accessory by Jill Rosenwald,  and textured pouf adds some warmth and color to this serene and neutral office space. 

All in all, small spaces can make a big impact as they can be colorful, have patterns, art and fun features while providing happiness at home. Let’s connect so I can help you with bringing joy at home by designing the best use of your small spaces. 

Warmly,
Cecilia