Colin and Justin: The art of decorative illusion

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Planned properly, it’s possible to squeeze several functions into one tiny room

Spatial elasticity and the art of decorative illusion – with a little imagination, almost anything (in our hands) is possible; dark rooms can be lightened, narrow spaces ‘widened’ and even the tiniest rooms made ‘bigger’, charmed by a roster of simple tips and tricks, and a whiff of Scottish alchemy.

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Planned properly, it’s also possible to squeeze several functions into one tiny room, but the secret is assembling everything without visually – or ergonomically – smothering your home.

With multi-purpose rooms, endeavour to keep functions clearly defined. Try using furniture (open shelving, for instance) to delineate space and, if you can, create zones within zones.

It’s also good to establish visual barriers to demarcate each area; a low sideboard, for example, with lamps either side, looks great as a ‘fence’ between zones, as do decorative screens, fabric panels, tall plants or sculptural plinths.

Treating a multi-task room with a single design identity will create harmony; use complementary colours and furnish using pieces with visual connectivity. A dining table and a coffee table, for example (while positioned in different zones) will connect if constructed from matching timber.

Similarly, a study area feature wall could be all you require to perfectly ‘bond’ with the same tone, this time executed as upholstery detailing in a connecting lounge.

Use ‘intelligent’ pieces; sofas that fold flat to become beds, coffee tables that raise to become dining tables or upholstered ottomans with removable tops that double as toy boxes or extra seating. If locating an office in your bedroom, consider making part of your closet a dedicated workstation rather than simply sticking a desk at the bottom of your bed.

Hire a carpenter to build a pull-down shelf that can be neatly dropped, as required, to create a handy work spot or sewing corner. But be discreet; avoid obvious ‘office’ lighting in favour of a softer, homely approach.

Employing correctly scaled smaller items will leave breathing space and, as a consequence, rooms will appear more efficient.

Opt for a narrow arm compact sofa and chairs as opposed to a big squashy chesterfield and seek out ancillary pieces (benches, side tables etc) that can be folded away when not in use. In bedrooms and living rooms, opt for roll under bed or sofa trays, wicker boxes and coffee tables with concealed compartments.

Passageways, typically, tend to be small and lacking in purpose, so use double-duty furniture and clever storage to bring yours alive.

To add function, try a console that’s small enough not to obstruct, but large enough to double as a desk. Rather than try and make neat, poorly lit spaces feel brighter (with default white paint) it often works well to suffuse an element of moody atmosphere with darker finishes.

To promote flexibility, consider an ottoman with wheels that can be rolled elsewhere (for extra seating) when guests arrive, perhaps with a flap up lid concealing handy storage below.

In a (compact) nutshell – small space solutions:

Ottomans – seating, storage or coffee tables, in one. Corrigan Studio (via wayfair.ca) have upholstered Parsons dining chairs that conceal under seat storage.

Drop-down, rise-up and extendable coffee/dining tables – Try Transformer Table (transformertable.com) for a range of options that magically convert from small to large, and high to low, as required.

Kitchen storage benches – cookbooks, baking trays and associated cooking paraphernalia can be discreetly housed in pieces like the Linon Laredo, a sturdy bench, that boasts a useful stash zone. Visit Best Buy (www.bestbuy.ca) for more info.

Sofa or wall beds – a guest suite in minutes, no spare room required. Try Article (www.article.com) for various options.

Coffee tables with stashing stools – additional seating as needed.

Tables with drawers or shelves – the Borgeby from Ikea is birch veneered and features lower-level storage in addition to the top surface.

Armoires – use as a home office, media centre or closet. Particularly good in bedroom application; pin sleeves on the inside of doors to stash documents and files, and set up a compact workstation on the inside shelf.

Stackable chairs – need we say more?

With a little organization, even the tightest space can be squeezed to optimize every square inch. It all comes down to auspicious planning and smart shopping, in pursuit of the perfect double bubble…

Watch for Colin and Justin on Citytv’s Breakfast Television and Colin and Justin’s Sub- Zero Reno on Paramount Plus TV. Find the Colin and Justin Home Collection in stores across Canada.
Visit www.colinandjustin.tv.