How to Live in Small Spaces: Design, Furnishing, Decoration and Detail for the Smaller Home

by Terence Conran

A world-renowned design authority shows how to make the most of every square foot. Whether motivated by soaring energy costs, smaller families or the desire to live more simply, homeowners are abandoning "McMansions" for smaller housing. In How to Live in Small Spaces , Terence Conran explains that what's paramount to livability is not square footage, but how the space is divided. In this comprehensive, full color book, Conran tackles the many challenges posed by small spaces. Chapters cover storage, bedrooms, children's rooms, lighting, extension and much more. "Assessing your needs" checklists and "points to consider" sidebars add valuable ideas. The six case studies that conclude the book provide excellent examples of great designs. The author offers practical advice on exploiting every inch of space Terence Conran never forgets the challenges posed by small spaces or the ingenuity and compromises required. He shows how easy it is to create a home whose comfort is not dependent on size, but on efficiency and integrity.

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture, Design, Contemporary

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Sir Terence Conran was educated at Bryanston School, Dorset, and trained as a textile designer at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. Hand in hand with his much-publicized career as an arbiter of good taste for a whole generation goes a career in cookery and restaurant management. Having learned the basic skills in the kitchens of a two-star Parisian establishment, he opened several small restaurants in London.These were later sold to finance his fast-expanding furniture business, from which grew the hugely successful Habitat stores. No-one has had a greater influence on contemporary living style than Conran. From the outset of his career, in the brilliant era of the '60s, he devoted his talents to interpreting the home-making aspirations of the bright, busy people of his generation - and to providing them with an excellence of craftsmanship and design at a price they could afford.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for a book with lots of examples of tiny houses. While some did not seem that small to me, the author gave good tips with a breakdown of different elements such as lighting, working with local laws, and converting spaces. I would have appreciated if there were more suggestions on keeping costs down as most of the examples seemed to be quite costly unless you happened to be an architect and designed all of the work.

[Laura Walin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Olin vähän pettynyt tähän kirjaan - ensimmäiseen sisustuskirjaan ever, jonka luin. Kuvat eivät olleet mielestäni erityisen kauniita, eivätkä ainakaan meikäläisen mittapuulla usein olleet mistään kovin pienistä kodeista. Tekstissäkään ei mitään kovin mullistavaa esitetty, vaan tuntui että pääasiassa toistettiin aivan itsestäänselvyyksiä. Oli siellä joukossa joku suorempi ja konkreettisempi ohjekin, joka oli minulle uutta tietoa. Etenkin valaistuksesta oli ihan hyviäkin pointteja.

[Marcella Curry · Rating 2 out of 5]

lots of interesting ideas, very detailed. The style (modern) doesn't fit much with our 70s ranch and the types of ideas seem to be on the high end expense wise.

[Wenwe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Expensive modern ideas.

[Em · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was originally published in 2006, but the pictures look more like the late 1970s and 1980s to me with their "modern" look of all white or bright colors, hard lines or super curvy, lack of soft surfaces, metal, glass, etc.

I can see why other reviewers said it's not family-friendly - lots of potential hazards for children under 13 to get hurt.

For the most part, the pictures feel dull and cold living spaces with hard surfaces and hard lines or goofy curvy lines. Honestly, I get better ideas for small spaces by visiting my local IKEA and walking through the small-space home displays.

Those who have the money to gut a space (and start fresh) or are buying may find this the most useful.

Those who rent may get some ideas if they are new to thinking about how to live in small spaces, but for the most part, there's nothing new in this if you have been learning and thinking about design for a while.

The font for the sidebars is too small.

This is probably most useful for someone new to thinking about how to live in small spaces and who has the freedom to rework the space with built-ins, hidden storage, sliding doors, tear down walls, etc.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caveat: I'm simply *obsessed* with the Tiny House movement, and spend waaaay too much time imagining what I would do with my own tiny house. This book is great for tips, tricks and inspiration, whether you live in a tiny house, small space, or looking to simplify your life. That being said, there is a tendency for books like this to look like they're decorated by the best that IKEA has to offer, and this one is no exception. But I guess that's part of the European aesthetic: to pare down, but beautifully.

[SeaTreasure · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very comprehensive collection of ideas for living in small spaces. The information ranges from simple organization tips to remodeling jobs and even showcases a few remodeling projects. I especially loved the custom built-in cabinets and furniture. The information in this book runs the full gamut, with some pretty expensive renovation ideas and some very in-expensive fixes. Well worth the read for anyone who, like me, lives in a small space.

[Mia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi Light Junk Before Bed Shelf, where have you been? And how can I affix whole years and whole issues of "Vanity Fair" on to you? And how can I tell you how happy I am, when mush-headed, to look at your glossy photos and read your accompanying captions? Yup. I like to read captions, and you give those to me, Light Junk Before Bed. Thank you.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the benchmark for all other "small space" books. I should have known it would be good because Conran was the author of one of my favorite books: The House Book

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really beautiful book, very modern/retro style if that makes sense!! And quite helpful, too.

[Aurora Deshauteurs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful modern designs, sometimes a little too modern. Great ideas for use of space but requires bucks to make it happen.

[T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very pretty but many of the spaces looked a little unlivable. Definitely some cool ideas though. I loved looking at the different spaces.

[Anna Keating · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting pictures and ideas, but not practical for families.

[BiblioBrandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good ideas, too modern mostly.