There are certain formulas that most people follow in their homes. A living room has a couch and a coffee table; bedrooms usually include bedside tables; home offices have desks. But every once in a while, especially in small spaces that require a little extra ingenuity, we’ll see a room that breaks the rules in a really good way…
- Living room sans coffee table: Jorge and Craig use a strategically placed side table, in lieu of a central coffee table, to keep their living room open and airy.
- Home office sans desk: In her small apartment, Jenny doesn't have room for a traditional home office. Instead, she uses a cube in the bedroom as a laptop stand, and works wherever she wants.
- Living room sans sofa: Helen and Frazer's tiny home is too small for a sofa, so they use a set of armchairs to define their living area.
- Bedroom sans bedside tables: Jay's studio apartment bedroom is totally non-traditional. His headboard is the reverse side of his entryway, and the shelves above serve the function of a bedside table.
- Bathroom sans medicine cabinet: An accordion mirror and compact glass shelf are stylish substitutes for a medicine cabinet in Tyke and Jon's home.
Photos: Jorge and Craig, Jenny, Vintage Vacations, Sabra Krock, Jonathan L.
I just got rid of the only armchair in my living room.
BEST DECISION EVER.
seriously.
view teacupcake's profile
Our living room is too small for a couch, we have two vintage tub chairs that act a a couch analog...
See sketch: here
view fjorlief's profile
Where is the big pillow in picture 3 from?
view nick0326's profile
our living room is too narrow so no coffeetable. in its place are one nesting table and a chest that doubles for an end table.
view selenakyle's profile
We had a coffee table once. The dogs liked to stand on it. No more coffee table. It works out well.
view heatherk's profile
We have removed our medicine cabinets and replaced the plain mirrors with ones that are framed. Then we replaced the vanities with ones that had several drawers, in which we kept all that miscellaneous junk from the counters and medicine cabinets. The top drawers were more shallow (for razors and toothbrushes, etc.), and the bottom drawers were deeper to hold bottles like mouthwash, etc. upright, plus my hair dryer.
Our desk was on a wall between our dining room and living room and served as a buffet/bar when we entertained. It was the Incognito desk by C&B - you'd never know it was a mini home office unless it was open.
view asinner's profile
where is that union jack pillow from?! i really want that.
view MFlick's profile
I have an ottoman instead of a coffee table. I have enough surfaces for drinks, but not enough seating for parties.
view Mlle. Cara's profile
I've been thinking about getting rid of my sofa and coffee table and putting in a lounger/daybed instead. I just need someone with a car to help me haul my stuff to the thrift shop.
view LaurelJRyan's profile
Hmmm. My living room does not have a coffee table. We just don't need one. Maybe if we ever find the perfect piece... but not before. I'd love to add an armchair or swap my sofa for a cool sectional but with my speed it will take years before I find the right pieces.
My bedroom doesn't have bed tables. Or a dresser. This is also because we haven't found the perfect pieces, and it is very inconvenient.
view firebird's profile
i currently have an attic apartment and my bed fits in a dormer/gable window area with only an inch to spare on each side of the bed. so i hung a shallow floating shell above the bed on one side & my bedside tables are now working out perfectly as a landing area in my main entry way.
only downside is that sometimes i forget the shelf is there when im climbing on the bed to change sheets. doesnt feel so good bumping into it :)
view rstrtz's profile