DOUBLE-DUTY DECOR
Style advice for space-challenged new homebuyers,
Interior designers and furniture makers are keenly aware of what people want, and are constantly innovating to make the most of small spaces.
Robert Whitfield, owner of furniture store, Casalife, says when he started 12 years ago, the need for reduced-size furniture was becoming increasingly apparent.
It’s not just young people, says Whitfield, it’s older people too who are downsizing. He designed a drawer-bed, and has been helping people store their socks and saucepans in sleek modern ways ever since.
“Myriad things can become a multi-functional piece — coffee tables can become dining tables, wall beds can become sofas,” he says.
But it’s all about making a plan and “configuring,” furniture and accessories to fit the space you’ve got, says Whitfield.
“The days of walking into a store and buying a sofa and expecting it to fit are over,” he says. “When it’s a small space, a few inches can make a lot of difference.”
That’s where people such as Yanic Simard, principal designer of the Toronto Interior Design Group, come in. Simard has learned a few tricks to make the most of “cosy quarters” over the years.
He recommends eye-catching de- cor, perhaps custom or vintage pieces, combined with travel mementos and personal keepsakes or some bold art.
“This makes for a more interesting space, allowing your eye to move around the room instead of focusing on one specific area, ultimately distracting from things that you may want to go unnoticed, for example the fact that the interior size is on the minimal side,” Simard says. And if you’ve got a view, flaunt it. “A lot of highrises are made up of mainly windows with hardly any wall space. Keep the drapery light and simple by installing sheers or roller shades, avoiding heavy or dark materials,” says Simard.
“With more windows comes less room for wall art, so make use of the floor space by bringing the artwork to floor level with vibrant area rugs.”
In terms of furnishings, don’t compromise on quality or size, Simard advises.
“All of my small-space clients still want a comfortable deep sofa and a nice queen or king size bed,” he says, “which is usually possible if the rest of the space is planned well and accented with transparent tables and chairs, with metallic touches throughout.” According to Simard, the main trend for small spaces right now is European-style slim-line appliances, with counter-depth, extra tall fridges.
Challie Stillman, design director at Resource Furniture, which specializ- es in space-saving pieces, says downsizing your life does not mean giving up on functionality.
“In fact, many people are making the conscious decision to change their lifestyle because simple, welldesigned spaces are enhancing the way they live,” he says.
“For anyone who wants to live in walkable downtown areas with easy access to restaurants, culture and nightlife, small and intelligently-designed living spaces are able to grant more people access to these areas of high demand.”
While trends come and go, Stillman believes as more and more people become conscious about their environmental footprint, the demand for quality items and long-lasting mate- rials will grow.
Back at Casalife, Whitfield contends it’s all about finding a happy balance.
“Once it was almost predetermined what you had to have in your home,” he says. “But younger generations don’t have people over for dinner, so maybe they can have a bigger couch and use a counter to eat at.”
But can condos actually get any smaller? “They are getting smaller,” confirms Whitfield.
But he also says people are becoming more astute and learning how to live in smaller spaces.
It’s about assessing your lifestyle and budget, he says, and finding the perfect pieces for your own (tiny) patch of downtown.