Small Home Ideas
Use of pine for the staircase (and flooring?)
It’s often tricky to squeeze a bin into a small kitchen, particularly an integrated one. To avoid having a freestanding bin floating around this tiny space, the designers at Parisdinterieur came up with a smart solution. There was no room for a pull-out cupboard inside the kitchen area, so they inserted a hole into the benchtop instead. The owners can pop their kitchen waste inside…then access the bin from the door on the other side of the breakfast bar.
Paint Your floorboards Have you considered painting your floorboards to get a fresh new look? Painted floorboards can work in most interior styles, depending on your colour choices, of course. I love the fresh, airy appeal of white painted floorboards. It can give a real Scandi or contemporary, country style, or even work in beach style or ultra mod houses. It gives a light and bright foundation to introduce your interior style. In heavy traffic areas, the floorboards can be prone to wear and tear, yet the rustic nature injects character and that lived in feel. TIP: It is a lengthy process, so be prepared, but the results will be worth it. The floorboards will need a thorough sand and clean, making sure any loose nails are hammered down hard. Best to use a three-in-one primer, sealer and undercoat – most likely two coats, and allow drying time between coats. Then, two coats of paint with a non-yellowing sealer over the top, to seal in all the goodness, especially if you are painting your floorboards white!
Paint Your stairs Colourful stairs like these are achievable in any house; just choose your favourite shades and try it as a weekend project. Limit the colour to just your risers and it works out to be a great way to use up sample pots from the hardware store. These pastel hues are the perfect choice for a beach house like this.
…here’s a close-up of the drawers and recharging station.
Sleek floor-to-ceiling joinery conceals an elaborate storage set-up, including a headboard that flips down to reveal space for books and toiletries; deep drawers and cupboards for clothes; and even a hidden recharging station for a smartphone and tablet…
Frustrated with trying to squeeze everything into your small bedroom? Take a tip out of this homeowner’s book and opt for a shelf bedside table that attaches to the door of built-in cupboards in place of a bulky side table.
Contemporary loft bedroom with build in wardrobes and bedside tables.
A sloping loft ceiling is no impediment to smart storage. Here, the owners have managed to squeeze in cupboards, drawers and open book storage. Genius.
A pull-out laundry hamper
Shelf life A single-wall kitchen that’s also a thoroughfare can throw extra obstacles in your way. Brackets and a glass shelf can be the answer when the stools can be tucked underneath and out of the way.
Dining spot for one
A single-wall kitchen like this could accommodate a table and chairs for four at a pinch, but why clutter up the space if you don’t need to? Open shelving and a minimalist bench work wonders in this micro-apartment …
great lighting/art. small sleeping space, but good storage. Interesting ceiling
spiral staircase again
Floor to ceiling curtains - dramatic sense of scale. Also, spiral staircase as focal point/art
Spiral staircase to mezzanine bedroom
Outside garden and lighting
Small outdoor space, tiles or wooden flooring could work?
Small round table, great use of small dining space.
Small outdoor space, great use of black/dark color. Love the greenery and natural textures, and small round table.
Love the brass, and also the little shelf and light bulb ..... great use of space.
Outdoor Space Outdoor dining A good way to expand your living and entertaining options and take in the outdoors, is to turn your courtyard – if you have one – into a dining room. You can eat out here and entertain your friends in fine weather. Then you might want to buy a smaller table for inside when its cooler. Under-seating storage space can be used for cushions and gardening tools. If you have built-in garden beds, reticulation will be essential to keep your greenery healthy and growing up the walls.
Bathroom Printed wallpaper never fails to make a bold statement, whether it’s used on a single wall or to cover a whole room. But if you want a space that really shines, choose a design in gleaming metallic tones, like the striking black and gold Florence Broadhurst wallpaper used in this glam bathroom. Complete the look with accents in coordinating colours – hands up if you love the statement gold tapware and ornate black mirror, shown here – to add another layer of drama and visual appeal to the space.
Love the use of color, flooring, shelving/hidden tv
Space saver: The sink is situated to the right of the vanity, with a wall-mounted tap on a side wall rather than the back wall to provide more benchtop space.
Space saver: The sink is situated to the right of the vanity, with a wall-mounted tap on a side wall rather than the back wall to provide more benchtop space.
Narrow kitchen and bench seating
Small kitchen with flip-up table
small dining area in kitchen, great use of color with table, chairs and wallpaper.
Bathrooms
The geometric floor tile is again framed with black tile edging, making it stand out even more.
Bathrooms Here is the matt-black edging in the shower. It provides a crisp, graphic outline in the corners and around the shower recess.
Bathroom Industrial bathroom with graphic punches In this industrial-inspired bathroom, the designer played off other black tapware and elements in the room by capping the top of the tiled splashback with a matt-black edge trim. The visual weight of the black mirror frame is about the same as that of the trim. This creates a nice balance throughout the bathroom, as the same strips also appear in the shower.
Windows opening out, inviting courtyard, seating. Don’t leave narrow spaces unloved. Create a sense of invitation, of intention, and the people will come.
Kitchenette Under Stairs Open
Kitchenette Under Stairs
pressed metal ceiling
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