Don't let small cramp your style

Decorating a small living space shouldn't cramp your style. See how Design Manifest turned a small living space into a big impact home.

 

Anyone who has lived, or does live, in a small townhouse can tell you that decorating for a space that is stylish, comfortable and practical is not easy. You don't want the space to feel cramped, yet you still want to include details that truly make it home.

This amazing space makeover totally transformed an open plan townhouse [above and below]. The before picture is a good example of how too much furniture, clutter and outdated pieces can really make a room look downright dowdy.

After the makeover, the open living and dining areas are bright and airy, and even though the room is filled with beautiful new accessories, it looks and feels much larger than it is. The inspiration behind the transformation is towards modern / vintage. The colour scheme is neutral but warm, with textures to add depth and personality.

ABOVE: The original idea for the wall art was for a much simpler arrangement above the sofa, but as individual pieces were added it started to look more like a collected look and fitted perfectly.

ABOVE: Finding the best combination of cushions was a tricky one. The ideas was to feel warm and layered without overdoing it. A combination of plain and patterned fabrics in different textures did the trick.

After emptying out everything in the rooms, time was taken to evaluate the space and select finishes and furnishings that would really make the space pop. This might be your basic townhouse, but there's no reason you can't make a place feel special.

 

 

BELOW: The main theme for the open space is black, white, grey and brass. The addition of wood furniture and brass accessories infused an element of warmth.

The existing bland, brown laminate floors were ripped out and new laminate floors installed in a dark brown wood. To save on costs, the flooring was done as a DIY project after discovering the huge price saving when compared to having the product installed. The darker floor makes the space feel cosy and modern, while the faux Zebra rug brought all the colours and patterns used in the room together.

ABOVE: Old laminate flooring and carpet in passage through to bedroom removed.

With the new modern dining set and black and silver mirror, the dining nook felt complete with the addition of a simple yet elegant chandelier finished in bronze. When switched on in the evenings, the lighting is reflected in the mirror. Sleek blinds offer privacy and allow plenty of natural light into this area of the room. Love the dining chairs, which look similar to the ones I just bought for my own dining room, and you can find a similar design at your local Mr Price Home.

BELOW: Rather than buy new, self-adhesive Contact vinyl in a grey and white marble pattern was applied to the tabletop. The faux finished paired nicely with the new chairs. You will find a select range of Contact adhesives at your local Builders Warehouse, or get in touch with www.gordons.co.za

After painting the entrance hall and living room feature wall in a dark grey, the decision was made to bring more life to the walls by covering over the top with grasscloth. The grasscloth has a rich, organic feel that added even more warmth and texture to the room. Wanting to maintain a clean, modern feel the feature wall behind the TV was kept simple. No art above the credenza, just the grasscloth and a few favourites.

The grasscloth continues around into the entrance hall and provides a wonderful backdrop for the large bronze mirror and rustic console table. Not a lot of furniture, but definitely a big impact when you walk through the front door.

What was previously a dull and dated townhouse has become a comfortable, cosy and welcoming home, and goes to show that you can decorate any small space if you take the time to plan and think through the details.

designmanifest.com