Condo living - think big!!

So you've decided that condo living is for you!  What an exciting time!  Condo living is so chic and truly urban and from what I've heard a bit of a liberating experience.  You no longer need a car, you don't need the big appliances stocked with food for 40, you get to de-clutter and totally purge all of your junk...what a great feeling and a fresh start! 

But you still need the basics like a sofa, seating for guests, a dining area-  so now how do you decorate it to truly maximize your space?

Many say that you have to go with lighter colour tones, every thing has to be smaller and you'll have to sacrifice somethings like a home office or a larger dining table and that smaller furniture is of poorer quality -  FALSE.



You need to really plan out the space you will be living in and use it wisely, no more wasted space.  Yes, some of your furniture pieces will need to be smaller (you are in a smaller area) but that doesn't mean you are scrimping on quality. 



Think about keeping it streamlined, so wall mounting the TV and furniture that isn't fussy or too busy.

So what about the home office?  Yes you could have one.  If you have a two bedroom place.  I would turn the 2nd bedroom into a very multi functional space with a workspace, a pullout sofa (good quality) and storage too.  If you don't have the extra space of a second bedroom try using a corner of the kitchen for a computer/workspace or maybe get creative like a little nook under the stairs (we are staging a condo in early April where we are doing just that). 


Think about the office items you will be using, you may not be able to have some massive piece (and a lot of office furniture tends to be on the bulky side).  Take a look at a narrow table or perhaps a compact glass desk.  And for the office chair, try a sleek dining chair that matches your set - this create a look that really flows and the office chair can easily be used in the dining room for extra seating



So what about colour in your condo?  You don't have to stay light but you should have some contrast.  Everything dark can feel very cave like.  But if you love grey, use it just keep the look monochromatic - that will make the space feel bigger.  Using a lot of bright colours will make the space feel choppy and small.  Use colour in accents like candles and pillows

Big Art will make a Big difference.  Lots and lots of small photos or art pieces on a wall will feel small and cluttered so keep it simple with one big piece.  Same goes for furnituree, a few key pieces is better that a lot of small ones.

A great tip for a dining room, use a bench seat instead of two chairs.  It keeps the line of vision super clean and clutter free without sacrificing seating for guests.  Or, customize your kitchen island by attaching the dining table (basically extending the island surface and adding legs).  A very chic and streamlined look that is just perfect for entertaining.




Condo living is a lot of fun but can be a bit of an adjustment.  Be sure to measure, plan and measure again and always ask about a return policy before committing...

Fabulous find for Condo lifestyles

OK, so I know I write a lot about this subject but that's because the condo life is so popular and I am often asked to find some great multifunctional pieces for small spaces. Well, here are a few more of my favourites:

The Sidecar high dining table - from Crate and Barrel.  It is sleek and streamlined so it fits beautifully in most spaces.  It has great storage at the side for cookbooks, bottles water, snacks whatever.  It can be used for dining it could even be used as a desk.  It's really affordable at $499.00 Pair it with any stool and you have an awesome multifunctional piece.  Love!

The Sift Raw Wall shelf - another great storage item from Crate and Barrel.  It has a very industrial look about it and it is so practical.  It's open shelving but it can be used in so many places.  The kitchen for dishes, the bathroom for linens or the office for books etc...Really reasonably priced at $139.00. 

The Winfrid Sofa - from condofurniture.net is an awesome piece because it can do so much.  A lot of 'condo furniture' is low to the ground and can be quite uncomfortable. The Winfrid has a streamlined modern look but the back height and arm height adjust - perfect for guests of all shapes and sizes (and heights).  The price is right too just under $2,100

Fatboy Pet Lounger - from condofurniture.net another great way to keep the pet off your fabulous furniture is to get them some of their own. It comes in - red, black, orange, pink, lime green, sand,  and camo.  it comes in large or small and it made of a nylon so it doesn't absorb odours and stains are easy to remove with a damp cloth.

The William Mates Bed - another great piece available from condofurniture.net .  This is a perfect piece for a spare bedroom or a child's room.  This 'mate' style of bed comes in a twin or queen.  it offers storage under the bed - and I don't mean shoving the dirty clothes under the bed but actual storage. 

Crate and Barrel offers a similar bed but in a more contemporary design.  Called the Stowaway Queen bed and check out the chalk board detail on the drawers - another tool for organizing.  Label the drawers (shoes, sweaters, books etc...) to help you find everything and keep everything in it's place.