In praise of bespoke design
DESIGNER SOROUSH POURHASHEMI OF LOZI ON CHOOSING CUSTOM FURNITURE FOR AN APARTMENT
Small apartments need fitted furniture in order to make the most of the space. One key element to always keep in mind is the furniture’s depth and height. Since the floor space in an apartment is limited, think about shallower units and going as high as possible – two things that can be achieved with made-to-measure designs.
Comfort is key in any home, regardless of the size – so a good sofa is something you should always invest in, alongside clever storage solutions so everything has a place to go. Coffee tables take so much space in a small living space and deliver very little function. Instead, we often recommend a multifunctional side table – something that can be used as a stool or a step, for example.
With bespoke furniture, you can make the most of your space and cater it to your desired function. For instance, a dead space made by doors can still be used for shoe storage; the corner of a room can turn into a dream working-from-home setup.
We recently worked on a compact east London flat. Our customer wanted three pieces in her living space: a small dining table, a kitchen island and a sofa. Designing these individually would mean giving space around each piece, which wasn’t possible. We decided to combine all three and turn it into a centrepiece.
We’re currently working on a multifunctional Murphy bed that’s a desk in the daytime. Making sure our furniture is beautiful as well as functional is a long process. My advice for choosing furniture is to find pieces with personality, old or new, and to invest in good quality: cheap, after all, is expensive.