Small space

Small spaces are always a challenge! They are hard to visualize, have guests and feel cozy!

I am single; it's very hard to do anything on my own without spending tons of money and I have no one in my family that's handy. I want to invite people over but I am embarrassed and don't have enough seating or room for a lot of company.

Desgin by Steinhafels

• Budget: $5,000-$6,000

A small sectional would provide the extra seating the homeowner desires, add an inviting place to congregate and, through the use of fabric, create a warmer feeling in the space. The addition of two small scale chairs, possibly armless chairs in a fun, energetic pattern to balance the solid color of the sectional, would create a nicely balanced conversation area, perfect for entertaining. A new rug with a large scale pattern would be added.

Because it is is a small space, the center cocktail table should be multi-purpose. A 36-inch round leather ottoman could serve as a coffee table when used with a tray on top, or can be used simultaneously by two people as a place in which to put up their feet, relax and recline.

The side tables could be nesting tables, which are always an interesting design element, to separate and disburse around the room when needed. I have added a shallow (12 inches deep) cabinet along the half wall dividing the kitchen, as a spot to add a fun, showcase piece that does not interfere with traffic flow. This piece will provide more storage and a top surface that could double as a place to add a tray of beverages or appetizers or a spot to showcase decorative accessories when not entertaining.

A floor lamp, maybe an arched lamp with more than one lamp could be used behind the corner seat of the sectional.

For those of us who like to rearrange their rooms often for a new look, the beauty of this plan is that it is completely reversible given the configuration of the sectional.