Urban Living….Tiny Space, Grand Purpose
Urban living has many perks… the energy of a large city, culture, diverse communities and culinary options that seem to never run out. But in one area the modern urban dweller sometimes needs to compromise…that is with the size of their living space. The goal of many who live in a large city like New York City is to get a space that is in a good location and by today’s pricing a “value” that meets their budget.
Real estate in New York is expensive and gone are the days of getting a large “fixer upper” at a low price and doing some work on it to make it your own. We learn to adapt to an ever growing, more populous city and that has taught us to do the most with a sometimes tiny space. How do we get the most use out of our living space which may lack the square footage?
City dwellers have learned that organization and consolidation are their best friends. Developing these skills will make living in a smaller space easy and enjoyable. With some optical illusions and design tips you can transform that tiny space into a perceived grand living area you would have never thought possible
The first thing to do is to get organized…rid you space of unwanted items and focus on quality pieces of furniture and personal items that have meaning. Once you begin to adapt to this concept, you will be freed of having a lot of “stuff” that you never use. You train yourself and become an expert at de-cluttering.
Ask a design professional for a consultation, this is a more cost effective way to get some ideas about how you can use your space to the best advantage. If you do not have a budget for a renovation or for a professional to do home improvements, you can with a lower cost ask a designer for a lighting and color consultation, and maybe even furniture layout advice that can assist you in this transformation. ORA studio offers a Space Analysis Consultation, which is a one-time fee and can help with anything from space assessment to plan layout suggestion, or lead to the beginning of the project with our firm. Our client gets a report of what the designer thinks is the potential for their space and it is their choice to further the project with a design professional or use this valuable advice and create changes and enhancements on their own.
Paint color, lighting and decorative pieces can make your space feel expansive. It is about the optical illusions that you can create that make a tiny space look grand. Incorporating storage and built in units can free up floor space taken by large freestanding storage. Shelving and high storage and wall units can expand the living area space while keeping clutter to a minimum. A murphy bed can also free up living space and create a larger looking space concealing the bed during the day.
Tiny spaces, micro apartments and a minimalist attitude toward living, especially in the city have been trending for a few years now. In a city like New York people are outside, they go to parks, cafes, plazas, and playgrounds to enjoy. Coming home is their sanctuary; whether it is a large loft or a micro apartment it is the idea of how you want to live that is important. How we use the space fully and practically can make such a difference. Even a tiny space can be grand in its purpose
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