The clever compromise between seating and storage
Many of our favourite small space ideas revolve around the idea of a nook. We've waxed lyrical before about the allure of a bed nook (and will be doing so again below), as they're a great way of building in storage while squeezing a bed into a tricky spot. Less frequently seen is the sofa nook, in which seating is built in on top of storage. In the house above, designed by Hollie Bowden for brand consultant Ronojoy Dam, the living space has a conventional sofa at one end, and then this smart nook at the other, in which the shape of a sofa has been created with storage cupboards underneath, the taller cupboards forming the ‘arms’ of the sofa, while providing a proper surface to put a lamp and a drink. Shelves neatly fitted in above the seat allow for plenty of space to store objects.
The all-in-one kitchen wall
Recent years have seen a distinct shift away from the fully fitted kitchen towards more freestanding arrangements that can incorporate dressers and other pieces of more characterful furniture. Even in more standard fitted kitchens, runs of top cabinets are giving way to open shelving where dishes and cookbooks can be displayed. We really love how PR guru Biana Fincham has combined these ideas in the kitchen of this tiny former shed in Cornwall. The kitchen takes up one wall of an open plan living space – the kind of space many of us city dwellers also live with – and although it is fully built in, it draws heavily on antique dressers and old farmhouse kitchens for inspiration. We especially enjoy the tongue and groove splashback and the vintage sink, which knock back the newness of the cabinetry.
The tiny attic bedroom that somehow manages to be an ensuite
Attics are inherently tricky spaces, and we're always thrilled when we come across one that combines lots of clever ideas for packing things in. This guest room in fashion designer Wiggy Hindmarch's London house has it all – an utterly charming aesthetic that suggests a cabin on the New England coast, a bathroom and plenty of storage. Wiggy has made use of our beloved bed nook concept to squeeze in a bed with generous drawers built into the base, and shelves behind, including one right behind the pillow that functions as a bedside table. A charming ticking stripe curtain means the bed can be closed off from the rest of the room, where there is also a freestanding bath tucked under the window.
The bit we particularly love, however, is the corner which Wiggy has sectioned off to create a loo. Half-glazed doors means the loo still gets light from the rest of the room, but it still has a feeling of privacy. A tiny sink takes up the minimal amount of space, with a decorative rattan mirror above to add charm. All in all, it's a masterclass in appealing small space design, and a room we'd be thrilled to stay in any time.
