I absolutely love furnishing tiny spaces to maximize storage and functionality. However, finding furniture pieces that fit is often challenging. I’ve been hunting for a 12-inch-wide bedside table with a drawer and shelf on the bottom for several weeks. It’s amazing how much time a person can spend looking for the right piece, especially if you’re a perfectionist like me.
I am exploring options. I could have the piece custom-made, but it’s not in the budget for this particular project. If I could find a vintage piece, I could paint it with fabulous chalk paint that doesn’t require stripping the existing finish. I found a nightstand at one shop that is 14″ wide. So I’m returning to re-measure the space to see if I can make it work. If not, it’s off to the antique stores.
One Multi-Functional Piece is Better Than Many Small Ones
There are certainly some fabulous pieces of furniture available for small spaces. Many of my clients make the mistake of putting multiple small pieces of furniture into a tiny space to make it functional. But it often results in a cramped, cluttered feeling. The key is finding one piece which serves multiple functions. Ideally, that piece should be large enough to do the job while still leaving enough space for the room to breathe.
Creative Solutions
I turned to my friends at Attica Furnishings in Halifax for more ideas on furnishing tiny spaces. They certainly presented a few very interesting items. Interestingly, the bedside table dilemma happens often these days. My clients move into small condos where the bedroom space is usually very limited. (After all, you only sleep there.) Attica Furnishings found a bed with attached shelves that serve as nightstands. We might need to place a decorative basket or box under the shelf to store a few things, but I love the curved shape and compact size.
One of my clients is considering a lift-up storage bed. When space is tight, under-bed storage might be the only option. A lift-up storage bed is useful when under-bed drawers don’t have room to open. I have a friend with a teeny bedroom who really wants a “proper bed,” as she calls it. In order to have a queen-sized bed, she will have to eliminate all the other furniture in her room, so a lift-up storage bed is probably her only option. Thank goodness there is a solution.
A few weeks ago, the staff at Attica Furnishings showed me a picture of the Calligaris Omnia Console. It looks like a gorgeous console table, but it expands into a dining table for 12 people. Apparently, it has an extension system with five interlocking leaves, allowing you to choose from up to six sizes. When it’s open to its largest size, there is a reclining leg for extra support. I thought it was genius! Unfortunately, it is no longer available. Hopefully, another company will develop a similar piece.
Final Thoughts: Measure Carefully and Have Fun
I wonder why compact, multi-functional pieces are sometimes more expensive than larger pieces. I guess it’s because so much time and thought went into designing and creating them. The good news is that you only have to buy a few pieces for furnishing tiny spaces, so you don’t necessarily need to spend much more than your budget. Choose carefully and thoughtfully, and measure, measure, measure before purchasing any pieces. Oh, and have fun!