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Room of the Week: Functionality Meets Personality in a Small Space
Clever design ideas and bold colour turned this tiny flat into a stylish, multifunctional space perfect for work, rest and play
When Shivaa Sharma moved into her tiny South London flat in July, she needed a professional eye to help her transform the cramped living area into an airy, personality-filled room. So she enlisted the talents of interior designer Bhavin Taylor to help her realise the full potential of the small space. ‘When I first met Shivaa, the main thing I noticed was her vibrancy,’ says Bhavin. ‘She wasn’t a person who was going to be scared of colour or stepping outside the box.’
Two of the main constraints Bhavin faced with the living room were space and budget, so storage and multifunctionality were essential. Carefully chosen pieces, clever zoning and a dash of colour mean it now functions as a lounging space for friends, a second bedroom for guests, a dining room, and an area in which Shivaa can chill out in front of the TV.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here Shivaa Sharma
Location South London
Designer Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design
Two of the main constraints Bhavin faced with the living room were space and budget, so storage and multifunctionality were essential. Carefully chosen pieces, clever zoning and a dash of colour mean it now functions as a lounging space for friends, a second bedroom for guests, a dining room, and an area in which Shivaa can chill out in front of the TV.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here Shivaa Sharma
Location South London
Designer Bhavin Taylor of Bhavin Taylor Design
The cushion with the feather design in orange, turquoise and red, which came from Doris By Karen Miller, was one of the first items purchased, and it gave Bhavin the accent colours for the entire room. ‘The sofa is quite bold, so it was difficult to decide which colours would work with it. That cushion kind of opened the flood gates,’ he laughs. Touches of the three colours can be seen in everything from cushions and lamps to artwork and glassware.
Check out more ways to work red into your home
Check out more ways to work red into your home
In contrast to the vibrant living area, the dining spot is a calm, minimal space. ‘I wanted to keep the dining side quite simple,’ says Bhavin. He chose a white table and chairs, with a discreet white blind at the window. But he has linked the two areas with a bright red sideboard made from two Ikea PS units. ‘They fit in so well they look as if they were built for the space,’ says Bhavin, ‘and they provide a good amount of storage, which was so important in this apartment.’
He further created visual interest – and framed the dining space – with two black, white and red lamps, using the colour scheme of the room in a ‘really subtle way, but one that adds quite an impact’.
He further created visual interest – and framed the dining space – with two black, white and red lamps, using the colour scheme of the room in a ‘really subtle way, but one that adds quite an impact’.
Much like the red sideboard, the TV console could have been made for the room. Although Bhavin admits that ‘trying to achieve all of this within budget was quite a struggle’, his design demonstrates that ‘even with a small budget you can have great design, you just have to be smart with it’. The floating shelves add interest at eye level without dominating the space and, teamed with the unit below, give the media area a bespoke feel.
Have a look at more ways to maximise space in small rooms
Have a look at more ways to maximise space in small rooms
The colour scheme is picked up nicely in the accessories. ‘Just because it’s a small space, it doesn’t have to be lifeless,’ says Bhavin. ‘It can have a lot of personality without feeling overcrowded.’
With this thoughtful redesign, Bhavin has shown that, regardless of budget or size, a room can be both stylish and functional.
Have you redesigned a small space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
With this thoughtful redesign, Bhavin has shown that, regardless of budget or size, a room can be both stylish and functional.
Have you redesigned a small space? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
The apartment is quite bright, so Bhavin opted to emphasise the light with brilliant white walls, which form a blank canvas for the bold furniture. He also created a large mirrored area on the end wall by hanging two framed mirrors side by side. ‘Using dual mirrors visually doubles the space and reflects the light,’ he explains.
The sofa isn’t the only multifunctional item in the room: the orange and red coffee tables are part of a nest, and slide under the grey side table in the corner to create space for the sofa bed to open out. The pouffes can also easily be moved to provide extra seating at the dining table. ‘I wanted the space to have that extra flexibility,’ says Bhavin.