Stylish design solutions for smaller spaces from local and international experts.
Office Space Idea
Creating a comfortable home office has become key with an influx of hybrid or work-from-home homeowners. Interior designer Olga Ashby of Olga Ashby Interiors explains, ‘More and more people are working from home, and you should have a comfortable desk to make your day at home as productive as in the office. Providing another office chair for visitors will be overkill, so a little footstool is comfortable enough for a short conversation, neatly tucked under a desk when not in use — and not an eyesore for the rest of the day.
Bench It
A bench used as dining room seating has a multifunctional purpose in this Parisian apartment, designed by Olga Ashby. Mainly used as additional seating for the dining table, the bench can easily move to create extra seating for guests in the living room. ‘Knee on the bench, cuddle your friends or turn your back to the table and chat to the people sitting on the sofa,’ shares Olga.
Calm Within the Storm
‘Designing inner-city spaces is all about creating calm within chaos. Our go-to tip is to bring softness and stillness into dense urban environments using texture and contrast — layered natural materials, filtered light, and considered scale,’ explain interior designers Bruce Fyfe and Kelsey Boyce of Fyfe Boyce. ‘A well placed tree or textured wall can do more for mental space than people realise. In cities, we crave connection to nature and authenticity, so our approach is to design interiors that feel like a breath out, not another demand for attention.
Colour Power
‘For years, interior design wisdom has insisted that light colours are the best choice for small spaces, reinforcing the belief that pale hues create a sense of openness,’ shares Plascon colour expert Patty Mulauzi. ‘However, this notion isn't always true. When used strategically, dark colours can add depth, drama and warmth to compact rooms, transforming them into intimate, stylish havens.’ Further, dark shades have an incredible ability to blur the boundaries of a room; deep hues, such as Plascon's Phantom Ship (GR-G10), Western Meadow (G2-D1-2) or Olive Stone (Y6-E1-1) create a sense of visual depth, making walls appear to recede. This trick of perception can make a space feel expansive, almost infinite, rather than confined.
Floor to Ceiling
‘When working with smaller spaces, I find that wallpaper can do much more than simply add decoration — it creates atmosphere, depth and dimension. I used Funghi by Stella McCartney for Cole and Son across the walls and ceiling in this TV room. This draws the eye upward and outward, making the space feel brighter and more expansive rather than confined. I often treat the ceiling as a fifth wall; continuing the wallpaper on the ceiling envelops the room in a cohesive, immersive environment, as if we’re creating a fourth dimension,’ says Victoria Maria.
Wide Open Spaces
‘Inner city living often demands innovative space solutions, where every square metre counts. Open-concept design plans maximise light and flow, making smaller apartments feel more spacious and connected. Clever space planning, like incorporating mirror inserts into built-in cupboards, adds visual depth and reflects natural light, giving the illusion of a larger room. In smaller bedrooms, sliding wardrobe doors are a practical alternative to hinged ones, avoiding clashes with beds or pedestals while maintaining easy access and a clean, streamlined look. Wise design choices make city living both stylish and functional,’ says Cheryl Herweg.
Light Weight
‘When living in an urban environment, your home becomes our cocoon. It is a space where your expression takes priority over the fast pace of the city,’ shares interior designer Natalie Bulwer. ‘Sculptural art and thoughtful lighting combinations always give pause for reflection. They offer a connection to self, much like nature does. Soft lighting can highlight intimate areas and introduce a calming rhythm to any interior, and transitioning from the city's relentless exterior glare to a warm, softer focal point in your home is essential. A quietly lit tablescape can also transform a corner into a sanctuary, reminding us of the beauty of silence and the importance of returning to what we love,’ says Natalie Bulwer.
