A measuring tape was our best friend when furnishing our 1070 sq. ft space. Any furniture we would buy had to fit well and provide storage. We learnt the hard way that measuring at floor level, instead of from wall to wall, is imperative because the thickness of baseboards cause problems when space is at a premium. We made use of every nook and cranny to the extent possible. In doing so, a number of awkward spaces became functional and we were left with a fair amount of walking space. This post focuses on what products worked best for our needs.
We converted the cloak closet to a pantry as the kitchen does not offer adequate storage. Wire shelving and clear Sterilite Latch Boxes and Flip Top Boxes offer a clear view of what we have. This saves us time when making grocery lists and simplifies some mealtimes as the kids are able to point out what they want for a snack or breakfast.
A narrow space in the pantry (to the right of the shelving) was ideal for a wall mounted broom organizer. Brooms and such are now off the floor, organized, and out of sight.
Re-purposing our cloak closet meant we needed an entryway storage alternative. Must-haves were hooks for coats, a seat, and a place for shoes (we are a no shoes inside household). With the help of my trusty measuring tape I set out in search of a hall tree that fit into the limited space available. We found a Homestar 3-Shelf unit that fit flush in the space I earmarked.
We still needed additional kitchen storage and found a pair of South Shore cabinets that fit in the small area where the entryway blends into the rest of the living space. The tops of these cabinets serve as a place for our router and shredder (as shown) and as a spot for a catch-all container to hold items we might remove from our pockets when entering the apartment (not shown).
Our dining table is an IKEA LINNMON/ADILS office table that fits the space perfectly. We use a combination of IKEA INGOLF and MARIUS stools instead of chairs so they can easily be tucked under the table or moved for use elsewhere. The table is pushed up against a wall but can be pulled out to seat more people. We have a stash of stackable IKEA MARIUS stools tucked away in a closet.
Also in the living room, is an IKEA BESTA sideboard that was chosen specifically because it fits snugly behind our couch without blocking access to the bedroom door. Many color and configuration options were available so it was easy to find one that worked. The sideboard provides storage for kitchen and dining room items.
Our Signature Design by Ashley Camden Sectional couch is the largest piece in the main living area. We needed a couch that would fit the space and accommodate all household members. If we need additional seating for guests, we use stools from the dining area.
Carson bookcases from Target's Threshold collection create storage in the living/dining area. A horizontal bookcase fills the space under the bay window and 3-shelf bookcases are on either side of the fireplace. We added a decorative wood barrel frame mirror above the fireplace, and a fireplace screen, for safety.
An IKEA RASKOG cart functions as a rolling bar. A full case of 24 beers can fit on one shelf. I used the insert from a beer carton to keep the beer from rattling when we move the cart around.
As we are in a rental, our curtain hardware options are limited. To avoid drilling, we chose to use tension rods for all window treatments. NoNo Outside Mount Curtain Brackets and Liz Claiborne Bayview Curtain Rod Connectors were used in the the bay window.
I planned to use AmazonBasics 3-Shelf Shelving Units for the pantry but they did not fit as expected - I did not measure at floor level and the baseboard made the space too narrow on the bottom. As I already had a grey theme going in the kids bedroom, I kept the chrome shelving and used it for toy storage instead. After a while, I found that the wire shelving provided plenty of storage but never looked tidy. The solution was fabric storage cubes. Again, I measured carefully before purchasing the cubes.
The IKEA SVARTA bunk bed with trundle was our choice for the kids. During the day, it takes up the space of a twin bed and leaves plenty of play space. The floor must be cleared to pull the trundle out at night and therefore compels us to clean up before bedtime. We are still working on getting the kids to fully accept the cleaning up responsibility.
We chose the IKEA BRIMNES bed for the storage drawers underneath and IKEA HEMNES wardrobes so the walk-in closet in our bedroom could be used for storage. We opted for open wardrobes so we can see our clothes - motivation to keep tidy and downsize as necessary. The two wardrobes, a full length mirror, and a chest almost have the appearance of a custom built-in unit along one wall. Better Homes and Gardens Wire Baskets fit in the bottom of the IKEA open wardrobes perfectly. We also included three IKEA MALM dressers and a Tessa Bench from JCPenney. We still have plenty of walking space in the room because we chose our furniture based on the dimensions of the room.
We converted one of our two walk-in closets to a storage room where we store our many suitcases, outdoor toys, and appliance boxes (I return all appliances to original boxes before every move). The other walk-in closet is linen and coat closet. I re-used hanging closet organizer shelves (they are mismatched but function as required) for the linens and we use an over the door ironing board holder. The existing closet shelves keep a number of plastic storage bins tucked away neatly.
Laundry supplies are under the bathroom sink closest to the washer and dryer and other cleaning supplies go under the kitchen sink. Sterilite stacking laundry baskets have a small footprint in the bathroom but hold a lot of laundry. They also help us to teach the kids to sort the dirty laundry by color, potentially but not usually, saving me a few minutes on laundry day.
Our downsizing efforts continue, as evidenced by the many plastic totes of stuff we still have. We are a work in progress. Our furnishing choices may not suit your taste or the space you have but my hope is that you are inspired to make your small space work for you. If your lifestyle is not transient, like ours, you may want to choose higher end furniture that will last longer.
We converted the cloak closet to a pantry as the kitchen does not offer adequate storage. Wire shelving and clear Sterilite Latch Boxes and Flip Top Boxes offer a clear view of what we have. This saves us time when making grocery lists and simplifies some mealtimes as the kids are able to point out what they want for a snack or breakfast.
A narrow space in the pantry (to the right of the shelving) was ideal for a wall mounted broom organizer. Brooms and such are now off the floor, organized, and out of sight.
Re-purposing our cloak closet meant we needed an entryway storage alternative. Must-haves were hooks for coats, a seat, and a place for shoes (we are a no shoes inside household). With the help of my trusty measuring tape I set out in search of a hall tree that fit into the limited space available. We found a Homestar 3-Shelf unit that fit flush in the space I earmarked.
We still needed additional kitchen storage and found a pair of South Shore cabinets that fit in the small area where the entryway blends into the rest of the living space. The tops of these cabinets serve as a place for our router and shredder (as shown) and as a spot for a catch-all container to hold items we might remove from our pockets when entering the apartment (not shown).
Our dining table is an IKEA LINNMON/ADILS office table that fits the space perfectly. We use a combination of IKEA INGOLF and MARIUS stools instead of chairs so they can easily be tucked under the table or moved for use elsewhere. The table is pushed up against a wall but can be pulled out to seat more people. We have a stash of stackable IKEA MARIUS stools tucked away in a closet.
Also in the living room, is an IKEA BESTA sideboard that was chosen specifically because it fits snugly behind our couch without blocking access to the bedroom door. Many color and configuration options were available so it was easy to find one that worked. The sideboard provides storage for kitchen and dining room items.
Our Signature Design by Ashley Camden Sectional couch is the largest piece in the main living area. We needed a couch that would fit the space and accommodate all household members. If we need additional seating for guests, we use stools from the dining area.
Carson bookcases from Target's Threshold collection create storage in the living/dining area. A horizontal bookcase fills the space under the bay window and 3-shelf bookcases are on either side of the fireplace. We added a decorative wood barrel frame mirror above the fireplace, and a fireplace screen, for safety.
An IKEA RASKOG cart functions as a rolling bar. A full case of 24 beers can fit on one shelf. I used the insert from a beer carton to keep the beer from rattling when we move the cart around.
As we are in a rental, our curtain hardware options are limited. To avoid drilling, we chose to use tension rods for all window treatments. NoNo Outside Mount Curtain Brackets and Liz Claiborne Bayview Curtain Rod Connectors were used in the the bay window.
I planned to use AmazonBasics 3-Shelf Shelving Units for the pantry but they did not fit as expected - I did not measure at floor level and the baseboard made the space too narrow on the bottom. As I already had a grey theme going in the kids bedroom, I kept the chrome shelving and used it for toy storage instead. After a while, I found that the wire shelving provided plenty of storage but never looked tidy. The solution was fabric storage cubes. Again, I measured carefully before purchasing the cubes.
The IKEA SVARTA bunk bed with trundle was our choice for the kids. During the day, it takes up the space of a twin bed and leaves plenty of play space. The floor must be cleared to pull the trundle out at night and therefore compels us to clean up before bedtime. We are still working on getting the kids to fully accept the cleaning up responsibility.
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| The trundle pulls out into the center of the room. |
We chose the IKEA BRIMNES bed for the storage drawers underneath and IKEA HEMNES wardrobes so the walk-in closet in our bedroom could be used for storage. We opted for open wardrobes so we can see our clothes - motivation to keep tidy and downsize as necessary. The two wardrobes, a full length mirror, and a chest almost have the appearance of a custom built-in unit along one wall. Better Homes and Gardens Wire Baskets fit in the bottom of the IKEA open wardrobes perfectly. We also included three IKEA MALM dressers and a Tessa Bench from JCPenney. We still have plenty of walking space in the room because we chose our furniture based on the dimensions of the room.
We converted one of our two walk-in closets to a storage room where we store our many suitcases, outdoor toys, and appliance boxes (I return all appliances to original boxes before every move). The other walk-in closet is linen and coat closet. I re-used hanging closet organizer shelves (they are mismatched but function as required) for the linens and we use an over the door ironing board holder. The existing closet shelves keep a number of plastic storage bins tucked away neatly.
Laundry supplies are under the bathroom sink closest to the washer and dryer and other cleaning supplies go under the kitchen sink. Sterilite stacking laundry baskets have a small footprint in the bathroom but hold a lot of laundry. They also help us to teach the kids to sort the dirty laundry by color, potentially but not usually, saving me a few minutes on laundry day.
Our downsizing efforts continue, as evidenced by the many plastic totes of stuff we still have. We are a work in progress. Our furnishing choices may not suit your taste or the space you have but my hope is that you are inspired to make your small space work for you. If your lifestyle is not transient, like ours, you may want to choose higher end furniture that will last longer.
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