Online lifestyle editor Briana and mobile developer Buzz fully maximized every inch of their 700-square-foot Brooklyn loft thanks to great space planning and smart, space-saving solutions. Looks Can Be Deceiving Although the tight living room of Briana and Buzz's Brooklyn loft only has 10-by-12-feet of useable space, it seems open, airy and spacious thanks to a great space plan and a plethora of space saving solutions — some simply practical, others decorative. Keep It Grounded Starting with an apartment-sized, three-seater sofa centered on the left-hand wall, Briana and Buzz arranged the space around it to maximize the flow of their loft's living room. They took focus off of the room's lack of space by grounding the area with an oversized area rug featuring a bold, graphic print. Instead of adding a bulky, horizontal bookcase to the spatially-challenged room, the couple opted for tall, metal book towers they placed by in the window. The vertical arrangement instantly turned their cherished photography books and novels into a sculptural focal point while still keeping the collection neatly organized. All Eyes on Blue Briana and Buzz decided to keep the majority of their living room's walls white to help bounce light around the room and create an open, airy aesthetic. The couple relied on color, however, to delineate the seating area, painting the wall behind their sofa in a cool robin's egg blue tone. They employed this designer's trick to redirect attention away from a room's lack of space and onto an intended focal point. Book Storage with Style While the obvious choice for book storage is often a bookcase or a bookshelf, the couple sought other solutions for keeping their favorite titles within arm's reach. To limit the amount of heavy, bulky pieces in their loft's living room, Briana and Buzz decided to use their large collection of books — from photography and interior to design to political satire and observational humor — as part of the room's decor. They found that tall metal book towers put a whole new spin on displaying the collection in an organized and highly decorative fashion. For a perfectly imperfect, casual look, they mixed two tall towers with three shorter ones, and then arranged books by color to break up the overall white color scheme of the room. Easy Eames Rocker In rooms where space is at a premium, it's wise to choose lightweight accent furniture pieces that are both comfortable and easy to move around. Briana and Buzz ensure comfortable seating for their guests with a classic modern Eames rocker made of molded plastic. Dual-Purpose Pitcher Another key element in the success of Briana and Buzz's small loft design is their ability to use a single object in many different ways. With kitchen storage limited, Briana saved space by forgoing vases and instead making use of serving pitchers to house floral arrangements. An Unusual End Table One of Buzz's favorite pieces in the loft is his fully stocked bar, complete with his collection of wine, spirits and barware. Focused on saving space and maximizing the square footage of their 12x10 living room lounge area, the bar serves double duty as one of the sofa's end tables. A Media Center That Hides Mess Although Briana and Buzz watch videos mostly on their laptops, they also enjoy watching live TV. To ensure their growing collection of DVDs and media components don't turn into clutter, they keep everything concealed neatly inside a mid-century modern console with sliding doors. When choosing TV stands or media consoles for family rooms or living rooms, it's best to avoid open-storage styles that can easily create a feeling of clutter. Concealed storage keeps remotes and DVDs tidy, plus offers back panels that hide cords. Under the Stairs, Before Before embarking on their space-saving design projects, the area beneath Briana and Buzz's staircase was inefficiently used to house their bar. Now the bar serves double duty as an end table next to the sofa. Under the Stairs, After Briana and Buzz have flexible schedules that allow them both to work from home when necessary. Although Buzz has his own designated workspace upstairs, Briana often found she had few options for working on her laptop, often feeling confined to the sofa. By outfitting the small, triangular space beneath the stairs as a tidy workstation, Briana instantly added a full-fledged space where she can check emails, work on articles and/or edit the work of her contributors. Hidden with a Hinge As an alternative to a basic desk for her personal workspace, Briana had a local contractor build a floating, three-sided box with a hinged door front. The piece works perfectly as a desk, gives the illusion of more space and also allows the area beneath the desk to remain unobstructed for chairs or stools. When her work is done, Briana can easily conceal her laptop and books behind her desk's hinged door. Pin-terests To eliminate clutter, Briana had the wall beneath her stairs completely covered with a roll of cork, onto which she pins all of her important invitations, tear sheets, trinkets and reminders. Stackable Seating Determined to save as much space in her small Brooklyn loft as possible, Briana chose red, powder-coated, stackable chairs as seating for her workstation and to provide addition seating for guests, as needed. When not in use, she can simply stack the chairs against the wall or store them in her closet.

Furniture arrangement is one of the hardest decisions to make in a room, but when it’s right, it’s perfect. If you take the time to create a great furniture arrangement to start with, you will never need to rearrange. Below are some tips for furniture arrangement for small rooms and large ones. These furniture arrangement basics can help you create a room and a home that flows. Wipe the slate clean In other words, completely empty the room, if possible. I know this can be hard, especially in a cramped, city apartment, but it is sometimes impossible to visualize a fresh new look unless you begin with a blank palette. Every room needs one. This is the defining element in your room. It can be a something as simple as a fireplace or a unique piece of furniture or artwork. Your furniture should be arranged to take advantage of your focal point. For example, in the living room or bedroom, the sofa or bed should face the focal point. Bring in your largest, necessary piece of furniture In the living room, this would be your sofa; in the bedroom, your bed; and in the dining room, your table. This piece of furniture must be in the correct place before anything else will work. Tips for positioning your main piece. Identify traffic patterns and avoid setting up an obstacle course. For example, if you must cut through your dining room to get to your kitchen, you won’t want to dodge a huge table and chairs just to get a drink of water. Decide on the use of the room – intimate gatherings, entertaining large crowds, sleeping and playing (like in a child’s bedroom) or sleeping only? Your main piece, especially in a large room, will help define the purpose and use of the space. Don’t block doorways, windows or views to other rooms, if possible. Consider these factors before you begin moving your furniture in. Use remaining furnishings to define areas This is very important in a large room, but it is just as important in a small space. The remaining furniture and decor should enhance and work around your main piece and your focal point. If a smaller piece won’t fit or it won’t compliment these two factors in your room, it doesn’t belong in this space. Tips for positioning your smaller pieces. Again, consider traffic flow. You will constantly be bumping into these smaller pieces unless you place them well out of the walkway. Consider scale and proportion of your pieces and how they fit into the existing scale of your space. A too-small chair next to an overstuffed sofa often feels awkward; so does a tiny picture hanging on a large wall. When in doubt, go larger rather than smaller. Pull some furniture pieces out from the wall. This is a great way to define certain areas of a large room. It also keeps a small room from feeling like all of the furniture is squished against the wall. Go large with your rug. A too-small rug will just make your room appear smaller and will also feel awkward in the space. For a luxurious look, let your rug flow underneath furniture. The middle of your artwork should hang at eye level. Protect your shins and elbows. Coffee tables should be far enough away from the sofa for comfort, but close enough to use. The height of side tables should be at or below the arm of the sofa. Add proper lighting. Think in layers – overhead (or ambient), task and accent – to create the perfect ambiance.

Living in condominiums has become a trend in the Philippines due to the numerous advantages they offer. But some think moving in a condominium unit may mean swapping some of the privileges you might enjoy with keeping an ordinary home, such as choosing the color of paint for your front door. This is not exactly true. While some people may be anxious about the limitations that go alongside the condominium lifestyle, the advantages still outnumber the not so good ones. For one, living in condominiums gives relief from problems such as repairs. Residents can savor the comfort brought by recreational facilities. Security is also high while still having that sense of community not very often displayed in exclusive subdivisions. The greatest challenge perhaps about living in these spaces is the fact that you have to make the most of the area. Depending on the size of the unit, you can start deciding how you want the interior to look like. The living room area, in particular, needs a lot of mulling over since it is the first thing that your visitors will see once they pay you a visit. Below are condo design ideas that fit your condo living room space. 1. Do not veer away from the light Choose a light color for all of your base moldings and window casings to let in more natural light. White may be a little traditional but it never fails. You want your space to look as natural as possible even when say you are atop a building. Thus, creating that effect by using light colors should be easy. Choosing the right shade of white paint will pose as a challenge for any homeowner. It’s best to go for the cool white shade for your walls to perfectly match the white furniture and window treatments. This provides a tranquil, homogenous space with very little contrast or distraction. These types of pure whites work well in contemporary spaces as they offer a feeling of newness. 2. Go for the minimalist approach A concept heavily swayed by Japanese architectural designs, minimalism gave life to the well-known saying “less is more”. The idea has been commonly used by those residing in reduced spaces since it centers on the basic provisions of home living. If you are thinking of using the minimalism concept in your condo, why not try this sleek and chic design. The hues of black and white make a very soothing living room space. It provides a futuristic feel. The furniture does not hamper it from having the storage space it needs for other things. This design idea is best for many since people are likely to own unbiased colored fixtures and appliances. 3. Design the living space adjacent to the kitchen. An open floor plan has its fair share of good and bad. The goods however seem to outnumber the not so good ones. Some homeowners would consult experts and more often than not they’d get advice to have their kitchen combined with the living room. According to CaseDesign.com, “The premise of this idea is that living rooms are underused, and creating a “great room” by combining the kitchen and living room helps the living room get more use and the kitchen gain some much-needed extra space.” The idea of combining the kitchen and the living room is common in condominiums with very limited space. Furthermore, it provides an easier way of welcoming guests and creating that homey effect. 4. Get that Hawaii vibe straight to your home. Experience cool breeze slips and a country feel. This Honolulu inspired condominium tells you how you can actually turn your living room space into a perfect receiving area. The use of wood to complement a modern space seems to work well. Pair it with a solid floor and very light upholstery. Maintaining it is definitely a breeze. 5. Add some green elements to make the living room space brighter The addition of houseplant can definitely make your cold and modern house design more natural and stimulating. Not to mention various benefits that can be acquired when we using several houseplants as the adornment for our home. There are quite a few modest and unique indoor house plants ideas that you can try to do to make your home look more modish, natural and beautiful. Some of these concepts are quite easy to perform so implementing them in your household will ring about a totally different vibe.

Making the most of every inch of space in a small living room can be a challenge. However, there are some small living room designs that really can make the most of space, even some of them are very creative. Today, we would like to give you some ideas of creative small living room designs that can will help you fulfill your wish. Firstly, the colors of the interiors of the house play a very important role in living room designs. People often avoid using dark colors in case of small spaces. However, one can go for contrasting colors for small living room designs . You can get one focal wall painted in a darker shade than the others, or play with colors and make a creative design on it while keeping the other walls lighter in color. Do not try to decorate every wall of your house, making it look like a circus or a colorful house from a fairy tale! You can also use your imagination and make the color scheme look more attractive and eye-catching. When it comes to the floors, in creative small living room designs, you can give a glamorous look by choosing a contrasting color scheme between the flooring and the walls. This will make your room look more exciting and full of life. Your flooring will become a distinctive and unique feature of your room in contrast with your wall color scheme. But do keep in mind that if you want bright or colorful flooring, keep all the walls of same color. Then, for the lighting, use different light fixtures like a wall sconce which has a light-colored glass or a wall fixture which is focusing its light in the upward direction. Place lamp shades which complement the look and color scheme of the room. Placing a dull-colored lamp in the room that has a bright color scheme will spoil the look of the room. Try to use dramatic home lighting as it will make your room look brighter and expressive. People have this misconception that placing smaller pieces of furniture in the room will make it look bigger, which is not always true. In fact, one should use large pieces of furniture in the room to make it look spacious rather that cramming several small pieces. Try to use furniture that can also give you a storage facility so that you can put away unnecessary stuff, making your room look neater. Use furniture that is multipurpose like a couch bed or a coffee table, which can also be used as a dining table. Well, these were some ideas of creative small living room designs. You can also add your own creativity to achieve the perfect small living room you’ve always desired. For more concept about living room design, you can get it here.

I'm searching for mid-century modern furniture and need it in a hurry. What would you recommend? Our in-stock mid-century modern furniture collection features everything from swag leg desks to ball chairs, ensuring you can fill your home with deluxe furniture. Plus, our iconic furniture designs include a wide range of styles - everything from mid-20th century to contemporary - that are designed to complement any room's dcor. And with our collection, you can reap the benefits of top-notch furniture that will maintain its quality for years to come. Enjoy wonderful pieces of furniture that will add a touch of class and elegance in any room with our in-stock mid-century modern furniture collection. How can I give my dining room a mid-century modern look that my guests are sure to enjoy for years to come? With our mid-century modern dining chairs, we make it easy for you to enjoy a meal with family and friends in comfort, style and luxury. Inspired by legendary designers such as Charles and Ray Eames and Harry Bertoia, this dining chair collection features a great mix of sleek and retro-inspired dining chairs to match any dining room's dcor. Plus, our mid-century dining chairs are built to last, ensuring you can enjoy them for years to come. Take advantage of deluxe dining chairs that can help you transform your dining room's dcor - modern classic dining chairs from our collection. I'm looking for one-of-a-kind mid-century modern stools for my dining room. What would you recommend? Give your dining room a distinct look and feel with our modern classic stools. These seats are comfortable and stylish, making them top choices for dining rooms of all shapes and sizes. And with everything from luxurious, versatile seats to mid-century modern reproductions, in our collection you're sure to find top-notch stools that meet all of your needs. If you're looking to enhance your dining room's dcor while providing your guests with a cozy place to sit, there may be no better choice than the one-of-a-kind mid century stools. What type of chair can give my guests a unique yet comfortable place to sit in my living room? Mid-Century modern lounge chairs deliver an ideal mix of style and comfort. Our modern classic lounge chair collection includes a wide range of offerings - everything from mid-20th century seats to out-of-this-world egg chairs - that make it easy to find deluxe chairs that match your style. In addition, our mid-century modern lounge chairs are exceptionally built, ensuring they will last for an extended period of time. Enjoy first-rate lounge chairs that will complement your living room's dcor perfectly - modern classic lounge chairs from our collection. I'm searching for a dining table that will complement my modern kitchen's dcor. What would you recommend? Our mid-century modern dining tables are well-built, stylish and dependable, making them wonderful choices for any modern kitchen. With everything from round styles to cyclone designs at your disposal, our mid-century modern dining table collection features a vast array of dining tables to help provide your dining room with a distinct look and feel. Also, our collection offers top-of-the-line dining tables that will serve you well for years to come. Check out our iconic dining table collection to find an ideal dining table that matches any modern kitchen's dcor. What type of sofa would you recommend for someone who regularly hosts family members and friends? With our mid-century modern sofas and sectionals, you can reap the rewards of exceptional seats day after day. Our modern classic sofa and sectional collection consists of seats that are made from the best materials, including Italian leather, high-density foam and high-grade stainless steel. As such, our sofas and sectionals provide comfortable seating that you can enjoy for years to come. Plus, our collection is suitable for any home or office, allowing guests to relax in comfort and style. Treat your guests to cozy seating they are sure to appreciate - mid-century modern sofas and sectionals from our collection. What type of coffee table would you recommend for someone who wants to add a distinct decoration in my living room? What type of coffee table would you recommend for someone who wants to add a distinct decoration in my living room? Our mid-century modern coffee table collection features tables that can serve as stylish yet practical decorations in your living room. With our coffee tables, you can benefit from tables that are exquisitely crafted, ensuring they will provide amazing decorations that are sure to stir up conversation among your guests. And lastly, our modern classic coffee table collection consists of tables made from the best materials and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them perfect for homes and offices of all shapes and sizes. Find a coffee table that suits your personal taste from our exquisite coffee table collection. I'm looking for exceptional outdoor furniture for my back patio. What would you recommend? Provide your guests with comfortable mid-century modern, stylish seating in any outdoor setting with our modern classic outdoor furniture. Our modern classic outdoor furniture collection makes it simple to furnish your back patio, front porch or any other outdoor space with deluxe furniture that will last for years to come. Plus, our outdoor furniture is designed to deliver exceptional comfort, making it easy for guests to relax and enjoy time with family members and friends. Offer your guests cozy, well-built outdoor seating any time they visit with our mid-century modern outdoor furniture. Is an Eero Aarnio Ball chair a worthwhile option for my den? If so, why? Created to deliver exquisite seating, our ball chair collection features stylish, comfortable designs that will help you enhance any living space's dcor. Every Ball chair delivers form, functionality and quality, making it a wonderful piece that will provide comfortable seating in any home or office for an extended period of time. Furthermore, our ball chairs serve as distinct conversation starters that are sure to help your living space stand out to your guests. Complement your home or office dcor with a one-of-a-kind ball chair to bolster the quality of any space. Where can I place an Egg chair in my home? Looking for an exciting, one-of-a-kind chair to place in your living room or bedroom? See our Egg chair collection, which features distinct seats your guests are sure to enjoy. Our Egg chairs provide amazing comfort day after day and also serve as surefire conversation starters. In addition, every egg chair features exceptional quality, making it a reliable seat that will help enhance your home's dcor both now and in the future. With one of our egg chairs, you can ensure your guests can sit comfortably and relax in a unique seat any time they visit your home.

It's no wonder window seats are often the most loved element in a home. They offer comfort—especially with a thick cushion on top—and views to the outdoors. They create a sense of coziness and security, thanks to the niche that defines a window seat. And they provide extra storage when fitted with drawers, cabinets, or a simply hinged bench top. But perhaps it's their ability to take an unused or awkward space and turn it into a charming focal point that warms our hearts most. You can find window seats in homes representing just about every American architectural style, from colonial to contemporary, and the fact that they've endured this long speaks to their form and versatility. They also have a place in every room, whether as a banquette in the kitchen, a boot bench in an entry, or a hideaway for reading a book in the den, and can be trimmed to match existing moldings. Shown: This inviting seat has drawers in the base for easily accessible storage. Up top, a deep window ledge on one side doubles as a place to set a coffee mug, and beadboard paneling on the opposite side forms a backrest.

According to designer Andreea Avram Rusu there are never rules when it comes to decorating with mirrors. "Mirrors bring light and depth into rooms — they're like decorative windows you can move around and place as you like, " she says. Mirrors have several benefits and can "reflect and emphasize views and colors from art and/or adjacent walls creating special effects, " designer Celia Berliner says. Design by Andreea Avram Rusu Mirrored Art A bold and gorgeous mirror can be the focal point of a room. Designer Andreas Charalambous of FORMA Design uses this extra-large mirror to "reflect the light from the balcony below and to serve as a last-minute check point as the owners head out to work, " he says. "The mirror itself becomes the artwork in this minimal set up." Even a large wall mirror can bring simplicity to a space if used correctly. Double the Space Add mirrors to any space you want to visually expand. "The location and placement of the mirror are key when utilizing them — you want to ensure that it will not create undesirable reflections and will allow it to maximize its innate qualities, " designer Celia Berliner says. Mirrors, like this large dining room one, brighten the room, create additional luminosity and add dimension to the space, she says. Design by Celia Berliner Dramatic Effect Full-size floor mirrors can make a dramatic statement in a small space. "Using a framed, full-size mirror placed on the floor and resting on the wall can become an incredible asset in many ways in a bedroom, living room and even at the end of a hallway, " designer Celia Berliner says. Design by Nicole Sassaman Mirror Crazy Designer Jennifer Duneier believes you can never have enough mirrors in a home. Try something new — hang multiple mirrors on the same wall. "If you use them together on a wall, you want them to be grouped in a visually-pleasing way, similar to art pieces, " designer Amy Bubier says. "The scale of the mirrors should be proportional to each other and to the wall space — avoid using small mirrors on a large wall." Design by Erinn Valencich Design Must-Have Mirrors can add an extra decorative touch to a room. This duo suits the modern, yet vintage feel of the bedroom. "Mirrors are like art in that the style should coincide with other pieces in your home, " designer Amy Bubier says. "They are an integral part of the design style." Designer Celia Berliner believes well-placed mirrors can aesthetically enhance an interior with the use of stylish frames, like these distressed, reflective-framed beauties. The Perfect Spot Mirrors can be displayed in every room of the house, but a favorite spot for designers is the entryway. "Entries, rooms that lack natural light and dining areas can be a great place because they create an opportunity for creative lighting, candles, ambience, art and reflectivity, " designer Amy Bubier says. Jennifer Duneier is a designer who enjoys a mirrored entryway so everyone can do a final check before leaving the house. Design by Emily Henderson Garden Views This wall-sized floor mirror defines the modern dining area in an open floor plan. Designer Andreas Charalambous of FORMA Design angles this oversized beauty against the wall to reflect natural light and the views of the adjacent garden. The apartment's small size is visually enhanced by the dramatic addition. Bedroom Reflection An energetic vibe is given to an ultra-modern bedroom. The large stand-up mirror works with the curtains to deliver the illusion of double square-footage in a tiny space. Designer Celia Berliner says a floor-to-ceiling mirror can be a useful accent to a bedroom wall, especially when it comes to dressing.

Landscape designers agree that the best way to create a unique and functional backyard patio is to design the patio in separate areas. Rather than placing one large slab at the back of the house, it is better to create outdoor rooms with several smaller or separated slabs. Layout Considerations: How will your patio be used? The first step in determining the best shape for your patio is to decide how your patio will be used. Do you entertain a lot? Will you need open areas for an outdoor table and chairs. Do you prefer quiet nooks and creating small, cozy areas perhaps with seating around a fire pit? Here are some basic questions to ask to understand the function of your patio: How many guests do you typically entertain? Do you throw large parties? How many people usually attend? What type of surface do you think you would like? Patterned, smooth, textured, colored, etc. What patio furniture will you be using? Do you need to make room for a table and chairs, a lounge chair, an outdoor living room set, bistro table and chairs, extra bench seating, etc. Shape Considerations If you find yourself designing your patio in rectangular or square shape, stop for a minute and consider the following. Could you round off the edges of your patio to make it look more natural with the surrounding landscape? What if you arched one side of your patio to give it some dimension? Would a circular area where your outdoor dining table will be placed be possible? The point is to consider a variety of designs and give your patio some uniqueness. In the end, you want your patio to create a welcoming atmosphere that blends with the architecture of your home and the natural landscape. Always keep in mind that the best outdoor patios create destinations in the backyard. Use walkways to connect these destinations and create interest with amenities such as focal points, seat walls, fountains, ponds, arbors, fireplaces, plantings, etc.

Built-in joinery is an excellent space-saving solution for a small living room. Photo: Derek Swalwell / bauersyndication.com.au Expert tips for arranging furniture to fit an awkward and small space. Thoroughfares dominate in this oddly shaped room. When space is limited it has to work extra hard to look good, especially when the area is a room with several functions such as this open-plan kitchen, lounge and dining area. In this space, thoroughfares have taken over the entire room. The lounge and dining areas need to be rearranged for a bigger presence. Creating zones in the space is the key to making the open-plan area work. Furthermore, when space is limited, it's okay to allow more room for important functions such as lounging or dining, and less for thoroughfares. Here, I want to give the furniture arrangement a big dose of “attitude”, so I’ve placed the sofa in the middle of the room, with its back creating “a wall and a hall”. This means we can play around with the available space, taking as much as we can for the lounge. The slightly recessed area near the kitchen is a perfect nook for the dining table – it can sit well back, saving space. An existing mirror here reflects light, making it a lovely focal point. It’s not the amount of space that’s important, it’s how you use it. Laundry and bathroom doors opening off the lounge are not ideal, but you can disguise or conceal them with new joinery. Either create doors that look identical to the joinery so they blend in, or turn doors into shelves – they could be like an old castle bookshelf that opens up to another room! It costs nothing to move existing furniture around, so experiment – it may just be the key to your new home. Once the arrangement feels right, the magic starts when you add your bits and pieces. Colour and texture in flowers, artwork and soft furnishings will make your house a home.

Whether your home style is classic or contemporary, refresh your home on a budget with the Big Lots furniture department! Blend furniture styles to create a unique look with a mix of modern furniture and traditional pieces for all rooms of your home. Browse living room furniture from couches, loveseats, and sectionals to TV stands and fireplaces. You’ll find great deals on accent pieces like side tables and ottomans to complete your living or family room. Need a dining room refresh? Update your dining room furniture with a new pub set or dining room table and matching chairs. We also carry kitchen carts to bring extra countertop space and storage to your kitchen and dining areas. Don’t let an old bed or mattress get in your way of a good night’s sleep. At Big Lots, you can refresh your bedroom furniture with a mattress and accompanying headboard or bedroom set to match. We carry exclusive mattress sets from Serta, Sealy, and Zeopedic in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. Browse a variety of traditional and modern bedroom styles from a standard metal bedframe to a wooden bedroom set complete with a headboard, footboard, and matching dressers. Don’t stop at your bedroom – we have fun playful pieces in home furniture for the kids’ room, too! Complete your home with additional storage furniture from bookcases and storage cubbies to accent tables, desks, recliners, and chairs. No matter what room you’re working on, find beautiful budget-friendly home furniture options at Big Lots! You can take it home today or take advantage of our furniture delivery options – available in most stores. Just ask an associate for details.