Furniture with finesse Tips to help you find the right pieces for you and your home

HERE’S HOW TO USE FABULOUS PIECES TO SUIT YOUR SPACE, WHATEVER THE STYLE AND SIZE OF YOUR ROOM

Just because you have a more compact zone to work with, doesn’t mean you have to compromise on fabulous furniture. The trend for mid-century modern design celebrates the appeal of narrow forms, slender furniture legs and the glamour of reflective surfaces, while glass adds its barely-there-with-beauty quality. Furniture companies are downsizing in style. Here are seven tips to take shopping.

1 THINK QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY

“Too much furniture can make a small space feel crowded, so aim for fewer, larger pieces tailored specifically to how the space will be used,” says Georgia Cannon of Georgia Cannon Interior Design. Rugs can also make or break a room. “Nothing makes a small space feel tiny like a postage-stamp sized rug, so choose a size that extends slightly underneath sofas and armchairs to help the space feel larger,” adds Georgia.

2 DON’T COMPROMISE ON COMFORT

You just need to be creative, says designer Anne-Claire Petre of Anaca Studio. “Rather than a coffee table, consider if a couple of handy side tables you can move around would work,” she says. An ottoman is a versatile inclusion, acting as a sofa table or extra chair when needed. “They are great for this use as they take up very little space, don’t impose and can create character in a room,” says Colin Kupke of Cosh Living.

“ROUND FURNITURE IS easier to MANOEUVRE AROUND, TAKES UP less space AND HELPS TO soften ANGULAR LINES” ~ Lexi Kentmann, West Elm

3 USE YOUR WALLS

One of the best ways to reclaim valuable floorspace is to consider the vertical planes. Think floating entertainment units, wall-mounted televisions and sconces rather than floor lamps. “For our lounge area, we had a shelving unit built onto the end wall,” explains Colin Kupke. “We floated it off the floor, giving a feeling of greater space, and made the shelving width just 45cm so as not to impact on the room too much.”

4 SEEK OUT LOFTY, LEGGY FURNITURE

“A sofa with stiletto legs gives the illusion of space and light and has less visual heft than one that sits flush on the floor,” says Lexi Kentmann. “Getting the scale right is particularly important in smaller spaces, so look for slimline styles which are lowset with slender arms.”

5 FIND USEFUL PIECES

If you need to carve out a homework or office nook in the corner of a living area, choose a beautiful console that works as a desk, says Anoushka Allum of SmartSpace Interiors. “Opt for a slim design, with drawers wide enough for a laptop so you can store your computer and papers out of sight and style it with decorative pieces when you have guests,” she says. “Just ensure you pair it with an adjustable chair or stool for comfort.”

6 WORK MIRACLES WITH MIRRORS

“They’re perfect for reflecting and bouncing light around a room and creating the illusion of depth,” says Lexi. “A good rule of thumb if hanging it behind a console is to choose a mirror the same width so it looks in scale.” In this room, by Black Lacquer Design, the effect is multiplied thanks to the wealth of reflective surfaces.

“EXTENDABLE TABLES are great AS YOU CAN CATER FOR LARGER GATHERINGS when needed WITHOUT SACRIFICING FLOOR SPACE” ~ Keti Lytras, Globe West

7 THINK CLEARLY

Lighter tones and transparent materials will help create a more spacious feel. “Steer away from solid heavy materials in favour of lightweight frames and pieces you can see under or through, like glass coffee tables, acrylic chairs or open-weave rattan,” says Anoushka. Free up sightlines with slimline, transparent storage that lifts pieces off the ground, says

Keti Lytras of Globe West. “Glass pieces are a beautiful way of adding height and storage whilst limiting disruption to the eye.”