Design & Decor
Packing It In
Six accessories you need to help you live large in your small space.



Today’s small-space dwellers want to pack plenty of personality and design-inspired furnishings, accessories and appliances into their compact living areas. The challenge, of course, is to maximize square footage with items that are efficient, functional and open to multitasking. Many manufacturers make the solution a snap by catering to the burgeoning market of empty-nesters downsizing and urban dwellers.

Living in a small space doesn’t mean sacrificing sophisticated design and high-octane performance, but it does require making practical choices. Here are some products to turn your small space into a diminutive workhorse.

1. SOFTEN UP
Hunter Douglas, one of the largest window covering companies in the U.S., has introduced the Pirouette blind that features soft, adjustable horizontal fabric vanes attached to a single sheer backing. “They beautifully frame a window but are light and airy, allowing a homeowner in a small space to capitalize on one of their greatest natural resources: sunlight,” says Becky Mosby, interior designer and owner of Edgevale Interiors.

The window shades are available in two vane sizes — four-inch Petite and five-inch Grande — and can accommodate windows up to 10 feet wide by 10 feet high. “These are perfect for loft owners,” Becky notes. In addition, she likes the flexibility of the Pirouette’s vanes. “They can be closed for a more contemporary appearance, slightly raised for a gentle, contoured look and fully open to provide a softened view of the outside,” she says.

Pirouette also comes in three textured fabric styles of crepe, linen and satin and is available in fashion-forward colors, such as Lichen, Terracotta and Aquamarine.
www.hunterdouglas.com

2. DIVIDE AND CONQUER
The Shade Store, an online resource for custom-designed closet doors, storage solutions and room dividers, helps form meet function for homeowners with space restrictions. Its Panel System allows for flexibility in the size, shape and feel of a room or space by leaving it entirely open, partially closed or completely closed. Chris DeVolder, an architect at 360 Architects, likes this product because through its different uses, it can save time, money and materials a homeowner might have to spend on a more permanent approach to creating multiple spaces within a single room.

“The Eclipse-3 panel is a perfect example,” Chris says. “By closing the panel, the ‘support’ space (washer/dryer) becomes an unseen element when not in use.” The stylish panel also contributes a contemporary flair to a space otherwise deemed as utilitarian.
www.theshadestore.com

3. UP, UP AND AWAY
Delta Design, an award-winning company that manufactures innovative cycling products, has an Art of Storage brand that appeals to the homeowner with lots of sports and outdoor equipment but little space to effectively organize it. The brand features a collection of well-designed bike racks perfect for stashing one or two on the wall in a loft or condo. Scott Stevens, manager of Trek Bicycle Store in Kansas City, likes the ability to store bikes in a variety of ways with the Delta products.

As an avid cyclist and small-space dweller, Scott gravitates toward anything that makes his living area more user-friendly. “Delta has bike racks that simply lean against the wall with no attachment required,” he says. “They even have a model that’s on a pulley system so you can lift and lower the bike off the floor.”

Additional shelving for helmets and other gear are available separately.
www.deltadesignco.com

4. IT’S A WASH
Lynne Middleton of Dorfman Plumbing Supply loves the wide array of bathroom sinks and showers available to the small-space homeowner. “Models like the Sonia make a design statement in addition to freeing up valuable floor space,” she says, adding that the wall-mounted Sonia is contemporary, which is indicative of many bath products on today’s market.

Options for storage include cabinets on trolleys, much like a salon’s equipment, in modern materials like clear plastic, laminate and interesting woods.

“We have lots of loft and condo clients — and even people doing remodels — who want a cleaner design approach in their bathrooms,” she observes.
www.sonia-sa.com

5. KEEP IT IN SCALE
The Urban Collection from Julien is a line of kitchen sinks perfect for chefs with small kitchens. “This sink was specifically designed for small-space living and is beautifully streamlined to complement any design,” says Heidi Hullman-Davis, interior designer and owner of Steve Knox Gallery.

She also recommends smaller sinks in spaces where counter space is precious. “It doesn’t make sense to have a large sink that eats up available countertop area,” she says. Her goal is to help clients find a sink that offers the benefits of different compartments, built-in soap dispensers and even stainless steel backsplashes.

“Julien also has a one-piece sink unit for a very small loft,” she notes, adding that it’s almost like a complete kitchen, with cabinets and a space below for a dishwasher.
www.julien.ca

6. MIX IT UP
Small kitchen appliances often pose the biggest dilemma in terms of efficiency and storage. Bosch, a premium manufacturer of revolutionary countertop appliances, has introduced the Universal Plus Kitchen Machine to help solve those issues. The Universal Plus is a stand mixer that combines multiple countertop appliances, such as the blender, food processor, meat grinder and mixer, into one user-friendly machine.

“One big advantage is that you’re not dragging a cumbersome stand mixer in and out of a cupboard or wasting valuable countertop space with it,” says Rob Stevens, appliance manager at Regarding Kitchens. “Bosch allows cooks to tackle almost any preparation needed and with the quiet and powerful efficiency of an 800-watt motor.”

The machine’s advanced bottom-drive automatic transmission extends the motor’s life by four times, resulting in one of the longest life spans for kitchen appliances in the world. The Bosch Universal Plus offers a wide range of four speeds, plus a pulse action feature. It’s sleek, modern design will be a welcome accent to any kitchen and eliminate the need for additional machines.
www.boschappliances.com