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Big Style, Big City

Visit four homes in four big cities that prove good things DO come in small spaces.

Small Space, Big Style : Episode HSSBS-101 -- More Projects »
See how many of these clever ideas you can incorporate into your small space!

Swank Retro Pad
Dayana Yochim and her dog, Posey, live in a 450-square-foot Alexandria, Virginia, apartment that combines elements of retro and modern design:

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A bold splash of red on one wall defines the bedroom and sets off Yochim's grandparents' artwork. When you can't incorporate a headboard, wall art can do double duty as one.
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Think multipurpose furniture for small spaces. A round coffee/dining table doesn't impede traffic flow and arranging pieces in the center of a room makes it easy to move them when necessary.
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Slipcovers take a couch, chair or ottoman into difference seasons in a snap!

  • Lean a ladder against a wall to house and display linens.
  • Store out-of-season clothing in rolling storage containers under a bed.
  • Hang a canvas shoe bag with several pockets on the back of a door.
  • Take advantage of vertical space with upper cabinets across the top of a doorway that can hold seldom-used items.
  • Benches and pillows make great extra seating, which is often the one thing missing in small spaces.

Space Age Bungalow
Architects Joel Blank and Susie Tashiro wanted to do something different with their tiny beach bungalow so they went with an industrial/beach look. Their 707-square-foot house in Los Angeles is as comfortable as it is ecological:

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A swiveling flat-panel TV enables it to be viewed from many angles while opaque greenhouse panels backlit with fluorescent lights creates a comfortable atmosphere.
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A mirrored bedroom wall also extends the look of a small room. Carpet tiles laid in a fun pattern create interest in this small master bedroom.
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Add a focal point outside to increase visual space in a small room. Swaying feather grass provides interest during the day and also disguises two parking tracks.

  • Floor-to-ceiling windows help extend a small space. Are there too few windows in your home? Add recessed lights.
  • Remote-controlled skylights let light in and hot air out, avoiding the need for air conditioning.
  • Using white in a small bathroom reflects light and makes a space feel bigger than it is.
Also in this Episode
Small Space, Big Style : Episode HSSBS-101
•Big Style, Big City
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