Furniture and accessories to make the most of a small space

Maximizing space while also taking design and function into account might seem to require a little smoke and mirrors (mirrors will, in fact, make a space look bigger), but it mostly takes smart shopping for “decorative choices in a scale appropriate to the space,” says Mary Douglas Drysdale, a Washington-based interior designer.

5 Seconds

00:00

Foundry C Table

For unexpected extra space in your living room layout, pull your side table over your sofa with CB2’s Foundry C Table. The table can also be situated as a regular side table, or even pulled up to a bed for a special breakfast, $129.

/ CB2

Klyne Chair and a Half

The most important furniture piece for a small room is “a great place to sit,” says Mary Douglas Drysdale, a Washington-based interior designer and 2009 nominee for a Cooper Hewitt Design Museum Interior Design Award. Crate and Barrel’s Klyne Chair and a Half offers generous, loungey space as a reading chair, or just enough room for two friends at a cocktail party. An optional, matching ottoman would amp up the coziness, $799.

/ Crate and Barrel

CB2 is a great resource for those in apartments, condos or lofts. Take this <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.cb2.com/helix-white-oak-70-wall-mounted-desk/f7542'>Helix White Oak 70” Wall Mounted Desk</a>, which would add office space to a bedroom or living room. Pair two or three together for extra desk space or a living-room shelving set, $249.

Helix White Oak Wall Mounted Desk

CB2 is a great resource for those in apartments, condos or lofts. Take this Helix White Oak 70” Wall Mounted Desk, which would add office space to a bedroom or living room. Pair two or three together for extra desk space or a living-room shelving set, $249.

/ CB2

When lacking separate dining, living and rec rooms, one room needs to be flexible enough to be all three. <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.bludot.com/new/minimalista-nesting-tables.html'>Blu Dot’s Minimalista Nesting Tables</a> can stack together if you need room for a Christmas tree or extra dinner-party seating, but they can spread out for a relaxed evening at home, $799.

Minimalista Nesting Tables

When lacking separate dining, living and rec rooms, one room needs to be flexible enough to be all three. Blu Dot’s Minimalista Nesting Tables can stack together if you need room for a Christmas tree or extra dinner-party seating, but they can spread out for a relaxed evening at home, $799.

/ Blu Dot

Niles Double Coat Rack

Not all old homes or rented rooms provide ample closet space, which makes storing clothes in plain sight necessary. But it’s not necessary to have a disorganized mess. Enter: Ballard Design’s Niles Double Coat Rack, turning organization into decoration, $179.

Ballard Designs

Adam 3-Panel Screen

Turn one room into two with Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams’s Adam 3-Panel Screen in Sonata Onyx. Perfect for giving overnight guests privacy, even in your living room, $1,425.

/ Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams

Magnetic Knife Bar

Scrutinize carefully each item that comes into your small home. Do you want a knife block that takes up counter real estate? Or can you find a space-saving alternative, such as Williams-Sonoma’s Magnetic Knife Bar? Doing the research on each purchase will pay off in extra room, $39.95.

/ Williams-Sonoma

Graphic Lacquered Serving Tray

If you love color, Northern Virginia designer Jennifer Schmidt says, “add special details and pops of color with accessories to make the space your own.” C Wonder’s Graphic Lacquered Serving Tray, available in green or navy, could make for an organized entry or coffee table. (Bonus: with neutral furnishings, colorful accessories are easy to swap out for seasonal updates), $78.

/ C Wonder

Don’t be afraid of making a big statement in a small room. <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-furniture/56501.jsp'>Anthropologie’s Italian Campaign Canopy Bed</a> adds drama to a bedroom, yet the thin, metal lines won’t impair your line of vision, $1,250 to $1,898.

Italian Campaign Canopy Bed

Don’t be afraid of making a big statement in a small room. Anthropologie’s Italian Campaign Canopy Bed adds drama to a bedroom, yet the thin, metal lines won’t impair your line of vision, $1,250 to $1,898.

/ Anthropologie

“Make sure that everything that goes into the space is as multifunctional as possible,” says D.C. designer Mary Douglas Drysdale. A trunk such as <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.worldmarket.com/product/travellers-trunk.do?&from=Search'>World Market’s leather-and-wood Travellers Trunk</a> is a prime example: Fill it with board games, seasonal throw pillows or extra blankets and then put a tray on top for use as a coffee table, $329.99.

Travellers Trunk, World Market

“Make sure that everything that goes into the space is as multifunctional as possible,” says D.C. designer Mary Douglas Drysdale. A trunk such as World Market’s leather-and-wood Travellers Trunk is a prime example: Fill it with board games, seasonal throw pillows or extra blankets and then put a tray on top for use as a coffee table, $329.99.

/ World Market

Demilune tables are essentially half-tables that can tuck into small spaces, making them ideal for entryways. <a data-xslt='_http' href='http://www.ballarddesigns.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDetailView?storeId=10052&catalogId=10551&productId=13685&langId=-1&SourceCode=BDSBT1&redirect=y'>Ballard Design’s Torino Demilune</a> offers a tabletop for dropping keys and mail, and drawers for dog leashes or winter gloves, $399.

Torino Demilune

Demilune tables are essentially half-tables that can tuck into small spaces, making them ideal for entryways. Ballard Design’s Torino Demilune offers a tabletop for dropping keys and mail, and drawers for dog leashes or winter gloves, $399.

/ Ballard Designs

Octagon Mirror

Both Drysdale and Schmidt recommend visually expanding a room by decorating in a lighter palette and planning for as much light — natural and artificial — as possible. Mirrors such as Pier 1’s Octagon Mirror are the crowning touch, as they bounce extra light around the room, $179.95.

Adam Hazlett / Pier One Imports

Back to gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.

Furniture and accessories to make the most of a small space

Search for contractor ratings & reviews