Small on space can be big on style

Yorkshire Post - 19th March 2008 - Life & Style Section: Homes

Interiors

City living brings lots of opportunities. It also brings challenges in interior design. Jamie Hempsall proves that small can be beautiful.

City Centre Apartment development was the phenomenon of the last decade. Office blocks and warehouses were transformed in cities and larger towns to create a myriad of dwelling opportunities from studio flats to penthouses.

Development is focused on one or two person households likely to make use of the facilities around them and spend less time “at home” than those outside the city. Urban living can be exciting and lends itself to maintenance free, minimalist and modern interiors.

Whilst urban conversions conjure up images of huge New York Style loft spaces, their proportions are often on the compact size leading to special challenges when developing a successful interior scheme.

When decorating, the key is not to introduce too much colour and to use the same palette throughout the apartment. Keep the majority of the space calmingly neutral, but introduce a couple of vibrant colours to add warmth in decoration and soft furnishings. In the sitting room, use a feature wall in a coloured wallpaper to give impact, but not overpower the room. Cunningly placed mirrors will make the space feel larger.

Lighting is often predefined with ceiling spots which provide a practical, but harsh light so invest in lamps in key areas to provide pools of light which add intimacy. Bathroom lighting needs to be bright enough to allow you to see properly the focus spot works wonderfully.

Storage solutions are essential as clutter in a small space leads to stress. Look for furniture with integrated drawers (coffee tables, sideboards and divan beds) and use the space wisely. Store items that you rarely use out of sight and edit your possessions regularly if you have not used them in two years you are unlikely to need them. A few carefully chosen pieces will have a greater impact than masses of items.

Ensure audio visual equipment is well integrated, ideally fitting a wall mounted television and hiding DVD and satellite equipment in appropriate furniture to avoid a mass of cables. If you have the opportunity, get an electrician to sink TV and audio cables into the plaster to allow a totally clean look.

Choose furniture with unfussy, modern designs and keep an eye on size. Check the dimensions of staircases, corridors and lifts to ensure that you can actually fit a piece in before committing to buy it. Sofas and beds are likely to be your biggest challenges here.

Create dramatic opulence and add colour in the bedroom by having an oversize headboard made up. These are also incredibly comfortable and allow you to transform the look of a standard bed.

Window coverings want to be architectural (blinds or eyelet curtains) to allow straight, unfussy lines to frame your cityscape. Maximise natural light in your apartment so ensure that curtains draw well back from a window, by buying wider poles and allowing extra width in the curtain, to avoid a skimpy look when closed.

Bathrooms are likely to be compact so keep it simple. Invest in good quality taps and fittings. Heated towel radiators should replace any conventional heating. Large tiles should be used throughout the bathroom in one design to ensure that the area is cohesive. Freestanding items, like toilet roll holders, can help provide a flexible solution in a cramped en suite.

Finally, if you have the space, create a lobby area with a mirror and console as you enter the flat to allow storage of keys and mobile phones, add a welcoming feature to your home and an indispensable place to check appearance when entering or leaving.

Jamie Hempsall is an Associate of the British Interior Design Association. To contact him visit www.jamiehempsall.com or 01777 248463