Small homes and studios

Living zone Small Space Design for Small homes and studios

Keep one clear route and make infrequent activities share a footprint. Measure what happens when the room is occupied.

Explore the ideas
Living room arranged with an L-shaped sofa and wall shelving
Living room inspiration: seating grouped around a shared focal point.

Plan in this order

  1. Remove items used elsewhere and list what still needs to fit in the room.
  2. Put frequent-use storage against a fixed edge and test whether shallow storage works there.
  3. Tape the occupied footprint of the largest movable item, including the user and the space needed to operate it.
Worked example

A compact living room must host guests but has no separate dining area.

Use nesting tables and movable chairs that store against one wall; keep the central route clear when the room is in lounge mode.

How to test it

Rehearse the busiest moment with everything open or pulled out. If the route disappears, change the furniture size or position.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Anchor seating on a wall and preserve a central route; use a movable table rather than fixed dividers.
Detail
Choose a sofa with hidden storage and a rug to mark the lounge footprint.
Trade-off
A larger sofa improves comfort but limits hosting and sleeping flexibility.
  • Mock furniture footprints with tape
  • Check clear route to windows and entry
Open living and dining area with a wood partition and television unit
Living room inspiration: a visual boundary between shared zones.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Living room with green and rust-colored seating around a low coffee table
Living room inspiration: conversation seating with a clear central table.
Living room with a television wall, wood shelving and a glass partition
Living room inspiration: media storage beside a glazed divider.

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