Small Modern Condo Design Ideas
by KALLI GEORGE
SO, what do you have when the soaring property prices make it impossible to afford a larger space? Or when the only home within your financial reach is a tiny space? It may not seem ideal, but it doesn't have to be a complete loss. You can still enter the property market, even if it means compromising on space for now.
Compact living spaces have always existed. You can spot them throughout Toronto. If you spend time exploring the Christie Pitts area, you'll see the beautiful Art Deco period apartment buildings. They contain tiny basement apartments, some measuring a mere 250 square feet. Despite the limited square footage, you can still live comfortably in a small space.
I have grabbed one of the most challenging condo spaces I have seen to date. It is the dreaded square configuration. Give me a rectangular configuration any time. Square is just difficult for the sake of being difficult.
SMALL CONDO- ORIGINAL FLOOR PLAN
As usual, it's the pull-out couch and coffee table. It's an irksome configuration. With this design layout, your home is not a place to rest. It's a work mill from start to finish.
You have to close the sofa and put everything away before you leave for work. You go to work. Put in your time. Then you come home and more heavy lifting awaits you before bed. You can leave things as they are, but before long your very small living area will be a hot mess.
SMALL CONDO INTERIOR DESIGN FAILS
There is a frat house mentality in small condo design. Remember the last time you lived, partied and worked with a coffee table and pull-out couch for furniture? It was the dorm or frat house. This time around, you are forking over some serious cash. It's time to elevate your style, home and your life. Small-space living requires discipline, organization and a little bit of savoir vivre.
Another small space design concept that needs to go the way of the dodo bird is the kitchen/dining/living all in one. It's lazy design and unimaginative. You, on the other hand, do not have to live with looking at the kitchen 24/7.
SMALL CONDO DESIGN TORONTO – MAKE IT FEEL BIGGER IDEAS
Let’s take this square hot mess and make it into a home. I propose the following interior design ideas:
• A platform bed. You are now a professional, not a visitor in your own home. You deserve a comfortable night's rest
• Ditch/remove the generic closet. It's an organizational nightmare. If possible, have these closets custom-made. Incorporate drawers, and double-stacked hanging. You need all the walking space you can get, so use the minimum required depth.
• A small table and chairs. Elevate your style and give your back a break. Leaning over a coffee table can be a pain. An alternative here is the coffee table with the elevated top. So why then propose a table and chairs? It's going to get tedious to sleep, eat and drink from one place. A table and chair make it look a little bigger.
• When you want a larger screen, mount it on the wall.
• A screen or tall grasses for an organic element. No matter how great your kitchen looks, it's nice not to look at it all the time
• Wallpaper the entrance. Just because it's a small space doesn't mean it has to be boring. Go bold. Add some energy to the space. Everything vanilla makes for a boring space.
Don't be afraid to incorporate decorative pillows and throws on the sofa/bed. They transform the room and make it more inviting. These small accents make a big difference in the overall look and feel of the living room. No longer a transient space, but a home.
Lastly, don't forget about the power of lighting. Don't be afraid to incorporate some statement lighting fixtures. A stylish pendant light - perhaps? Adding a mix of ambient, task, and accent lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the space.
Incorporate these simple yet effective design tips. Transform your small living room into a stylish retreat you'll love spending time in.
So go ahead, get creative, and make the most of your space!
Kalli George is the founder and lead designer with Kalli George Interiors’ award-winning interior design team. For more than a decade they have managed the design, build and décor of residential projects across the GTA including, Mississauga, Etobicoke and Brampton.