If you live in a city, it is likely that lack of space has haunted you at some point. There are countless ways to squeeze more function out of a room, no matter what the size. Flexibility and versatility are the two main components in designing for small spaces. The ability to work and play in your space effectively is important, as a usable room feels less small. Planning is always an important component in interior design, but it is particularly crucial in small spaces. Sit down with a pencil and paper, don’t just draw a layout but also form a list of necessities. Scrutinise the potential uses of a room or space, the furniture requirements, storage needed and personal interests. Determine the financial means at your disposal, future changes in your life and the amount of time you plan to spend in your current home. Previewing all this information before you start or even hiring a professional designer makes all the difference. Once the designer is on board, he or she will respond to the natural character of a space. The designer will survey the
natural light permeating window walls, and study the nooks and crannies for extra space, such as under staircases or by introducing lofts. Armed with your brief and wish list, designers begin planning, making sure that they are maximising the available space to meet both the quantitative as well as qualitative programmatic requirements of a space.

(Above left) Architects at (de)CoDe relocated the original door of the guest bedroom so that it gets privacy and at the same time, the living room doesn’t become a passageway. The original doorway has been converted to a two-way bookshelf/display unit. The use of frosted glass has been incorporated to allow light into both spaces. Image courtesy, Sameer Tawde.

(Above right) In a project by Studio GSA architects; Open and connected views of the living room and entrance court through the dining area make the pace seem larger. Image courtesy, Sanjay Ramchandran.

(Below) The centrepiece of The Organic House designed by White Room Studio is a long, curved, contemporary sofa, that wraps around the living room and is nestled among the vaulted surfaces, leaving the central space free. Image courtesy, Sameer Tawde. 

Talented designers have turned smaller spaces into compact yet cosy homes, boutiques and offices. Here, we will look at various thoughts that epitomise the idea of doing more with less. To read further download a copy the article (128 Space Conservation) from this month’s Jet Airways inflight magazine Jetwings May 2014.