Fall at Home

Happy fall! Has it been an eventful start to the season for you too? After a summer packed with travels near and far, going back to school at my house has been hectic. My son just started his freshman year at The College of the Holy Cross (go ‘saders!) so moving him into his dorm in the Bay State has had me focusing on small spaces and how to maximize them.

From Massachusetts to Miami, small-space inspiration was already at work thanks to an extended stay in Miami. My daughter was dancing at Miami City Ballet this summer, so we found a cute studio rental with big condo vibes to call our home away from home. It felt exactly like that, thanks to the careful design of our host, Sindia Borras. Born in Switzerland, she brought her European style to several small Miami spaces she purchased, not only to rent but also to have available when her own family came to visit.

“I created each studio with its own identity and personality, hoping that each traveler that opens the front door is wowed and finds their temporary apartment to be a small haven to relax and feel at home,” says Sindia. Trips to Paris, Tulum and her time living in New York City led to her stylish but functional space-saving designs. With the weather cooling, we will be spending more time indoors; now is the perfect time to learn how to make the most of your spaces, too.

Embrace Larger Furniture Pieces

Scale is everything, and this is something Sindia plays with a bit. “The size of the pieces is very important and, as I was searching for furniture, it almost felt like I had to work in reverse: starting with the dimensions instead of the look,” adds Sindia. In some cases, she found herself going bigger instead of smaller for good reasons. Contrary to popular belief, using larger furniture pieces in a tiny space makes the space feel more expansive by anchoring the room and creating a sense of openness. Sindia went all in on a large couch in one of her studios, while in another she felt a dining table would have been too crowded. Instead, she compensated with a generous waterfall countertop island usually found in grand kitchens.

(Photos of a large couch in a Manhattan apartment, a large countertop in a Tuluum space)

Play with Color

Light shades aren’t always “right” in small spaces. You can go dark, too. It might seem counterintuitive, but dark hues can add depth and dimension to a room, making it appear larger. Don’t shy away from coating an accent wall in a deep, rich color or incorporating dark-shaded furniture and accessories because it will provide contrast while enhancing the room’s overall spaciousness. On the other hand, if lighter colors are your safe zone, then really lean into that. Use light paint on everything—the ceiling, trim, baseboard and walls—and monochromatically make your room feel more expansive. You can even use varying shades and textures of the same hue to create a seamless flow and eliminate visual breaks. Sindia uses tamarind paint to capture the chic lofts she saw during her time living in New York, and how it provides openness and unity.

Optimize Your Windows

Natural light is a key element in making a room feel bigger; there are easy ways to optimize it. Use sheer curtains or blinds that can be fully drawn back, or hang curtains above the window to let all the light in. This will create the illusion of taller windows and higher ceilings. Sindia noticed the way the windows in one of her studios captured not only the natural lighting but also the vegetation outside.

“What struck me when I first entered the space was the fact that windows were overlooking palm trees as if the lush leaves had been framed inside of my apartment.” Inspired by a trip to Tulum, Sindia added macramé drapery for a bit of privacy that wouldn’t block any of the light or view outside.

Keep It Simple

While maximalism is intoxicating for many wanting to share all their collected wares, a minimalist approach often works best in small spaces. This is where you might want to fight the over-accessorizing urge and, instead, make sure each piece has a purpose and a place. If it doesn’t contribute to the overall design scheme, maybe rethink the item and consider moving it out entirely. By keeping the decor streamlined, you allow the room to breathe and feel more open. Aim for a well-edited collection of a few accessories; too many small pieces will make the room feel cluttered and the pieces unappreciated.

Reflective Surfaces

Mirrors brilliantly create the illusion of space. In her studios, Sindia incorporates large, full-length floor mirrors and leans them up against a wall. Not only is this functional, but it also essentially adds another “window” to the space. You can also position it opposite a window to reflect the light while giving the impression of an extended area where there is none. Or opt for reflective pieces like lacquer, mirrored furniture or even reflective decor elements to amplify the brightness and openness of a room.

Multi-functional Furniture and Storage Solutions

If you want a spacious feeling in any space, clutter is the enemy. In a small space, it is a deal-breaker. Seek out multifunctional furniture that looks good and helps store things to keep the room tidy. You don’t need everything on display all the time. Use coffee tables with storage compartments or under-table baskets to stash items away. Consoles, side tables or sofa tables are helpful to tuck away poufs that can be pulled out for additional seating and neatly put back in place to be decorative when not in use. Or skip the coffee table altogether and cluster ottomans and poufs with trays for seating and table function, like a place to put a drink or the remote.

The Right Rug

Break up the “one-room feel” of a studio by visually showing there is more than one thing happening there with a rug. Get the size right as going too small will defeat the purpose and make your floor look patchy. Determine your floor plan first, and then decide which areas will benefit from a rug for coziness but also for a visual interpretation of what that part of the room is supposed to be. I loved the bold harlequin rug Sindia used to show where the living room begins and ends. Going too small would have made the space feel choppy and cramped.

Make Up for Space with Special Finishes

In a small kitchen, you might be able to splurge on an expensive stone for your small countertop or high-end small appliances. But if you don’t blow the budget on upscale items, you can at least get dimension, depth and layers by using various materials that have different finishes. When it comes to lighting, make a statement.

“I tried compensating small spaces with textures, details and dimension, like the molding, ceiling medallions, wood beams, limewash paint and elaborate lighting fixtures,” says Sindia.

Ready to Try It? 

One of the best places to get inspiration any time of the year is from places you’ve been and things you’ve seen. Inspiration is everywhere; harness it using some of these small space design guidelines, no matter the size of wherever you call home.