Space-saving furniture & design tips for small & awkward spaces

How to make the most of all available space is usually a key priority for clients. However, more often than not, it isn’t the amount of overall space available that’s the issue. Difficult floor plans, oddly shaped rooms, sloping ceilings, alcoves and tight corners are just some of the issues we are frequently asked to address. Bespoke, space-saving-furniture and joinery is usually the solution. Commissioning key pieces to fit a space – rather than trying to place a ready-made design somewhere it’s not really suited to – is a wonderful way to maximise every inch of your home or commercial property. Space-saving furniture can also help to disguise unconventional layouts, or a lack of symmetry. Practical issues aside, the beauty of bespoke furniture always enhances the aesthetics of a space with quality and craftsmanship.

A bespoke, space-saving marble vanity, in a shape that’s tailored to the room, helped to maximise the bathroom space in this Belgravia family home project. We also chose wall-mounted mixers to free up precious countertop space

Planning and partnerships

Not all interior designers offer the same range of services. My award-winning team and I are architectural interior designers, which means we have the skills and knowledge to participate meaningfully in spatial planning and all elements of the build aspect. As important as they are, we don’t just source soft furnishings! If we are involved from the initial planning stages, we can interpret and adapt client briefs with value-added design suggestions, without compromising the timeline or the budget.

In this Sloane Square property, the client chose full-height fitted joinery, to maximise storage without the clutter from floor-standing furniture. A dressing table or desk can easily be incorporated into this type of design, while a combination of both open and closed shelving adds interest and a more welcoming ambience

Over the years, we have developed close partnerships with a valuable network of trusted architects, contractors, joiners, craftsmen and other specialist suppliers. This allows us to source one-of-a-kind artwork and antiques, as well as beautiful, bespoke space-saving furniture. Importantly, we use specialist joiners who can create furniture, from scratch, to fit anywhere and everywhere it needs to.

In this Flood Street Townhouse project we added a skylight to counter the confined ceiling space, and let in more natural light. We also added a selection of asymmetrical and organic-shaped furniture and rugs

The benefits of bespoke

Bespoke, space-saving furniture can enhance a project in so many ways. There are the obvious advantages: correctly scaled pieces make an area more usable, feel larger than it is, and improve flow. Bespoke furniture is also a great investment. Made from quality materials by experienced craftsmen, it’s built to last. So while the initial outlay might seem more costly, in the long-term going bespoke is likely to work out more economical. Lastly, exploring different space-saving furniture and design tips is a wonderful opportunity for clients to experiment with, and celebrate, their own personal style. When you create a piece of furniture from scratch, you get exactly what you want – no compromise required. So, these pieces won’t just fit a space perfectly, but they also incorporate every single design detail you request.

No idea what to do with an underground vaulted space? Why not create a wine cellar? For this project we built shelving right up to the curved ceiling, while warm uplighting creates an inviting glow. An antique mirror on the back wall also helps to reflect light, while keeping the cellar from feeling too cavernous

Space-saving furniture opportunities

Many people associate space-saving furniture with extra storage – often a key request from clients. And it’s true that going bespoke usually delivers the best storage solutions. But space-saving furniture can also adapt the functional qualities of an existing areas, and transform rooms into multi-functional spaces. It can complement (or conceal!) existing architectural features, too.

In my experience, there’s seldom any room or space that wouldn’t benefit from some form of bespoke and/or space-saving furniture. Compact bedrooms can be transformed with full-height fitted joinery, for example. Or why not covert a compact or awkwardly-shaped room into a walk-in wardrobe instead? Bespoke, slim-line vanity units can free up valuable bathroom space (and increase storage). And cupboards, shelves or drawers built to fit the exact angles of an alcove, sloping ceiling or under-stairs space are also popular bespoke options. A narrow landing, hallway or bijou basement can be converted into a home office, workout area or wine cellar. So, if you or I can imagine it, my team can deliver it.

Space-saving furniture aside, there are lots of ways to make a room look bigger. In this bespoke gym in this Notting Hill property, we installed wall-to-wall mirrors and a backlit fish tank, to add interest and the illusion of space

It’s also worth highlighting that bespoke pieces aren’t just for small rooms or awkward spaces. They can also help to correct the proportions in larger rooms. A bookcase in the right place, for example, floor-to-ceiling shelving, or even a long, deep or curved sofa can be truly transformative. A bay window seat can provide the perfect finishing touch to a room with a view.

A compact room often works better as a big walk-in wardrobe. In this Pimlico apartment project, we included integrated LED lighting in the joinery, and a mirrored wall opposite to visually enlarge the space

Design tips to fool the eye

While bespoke, space-saving furniture should always be the starting point, there are other design tips that can make a room look bigger. In fact, colour choices are key. Light, bright walls are more reflective, and can really help a space feel more open and airy. White, greige and pale pastels are perennially popular choices. Also, painting walls and woodwork the same colour gives the illusion of higher ceilings.

Get clever with creative lighting: In this Belgravia Townhouse we enhanced the curvature of the vaulted ceiling and natural raw effect of the polished plaster walls with atmospheric LED lighting set within wall niches, under the vanity, and around the mirror

Creative lighting, skylights and mirrors are also effective ways to deliver the illusion of space. And think hard about how to dress your windows. Sheer fabrics, pulled back so as not to obscure the glass, will make your windows look bigger. Cutting the clutter will always helps a space to feel less cramped. Add interest with an established focal point – just one area or feature to draw the eye.

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