Small Spaces: Maximizing Limited Spaces for Living

The Small Book of Home Ideas

by Elizabeth Wilhide

Living in a small space is no excuse for cramped quarters or a lack of style. This handy guide provides instructions on making the most of available space and demonstrates how careful consideration and a unique approach can turn any room into a luxurious accommodation. Clever design strategies that clear up usable floor area and produce better spatial quality are included along with a slew of tried and tested ways to making a small space appear bigger through the use of decoration and furnishings.

Genres: Nonfiction, Interior Design

144 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

About the author

Elizabeth Wilhide is the author of many books on design and interiors and two novels. Born in the United States, she now resides in London.

Reviews

[Kelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Could not get past the living room + bathtub window she was so excited about.

[Tonya Hardin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Interesting lots of pictures but not in depth of how to get that look. Very nice of modern to classic to European looks. It is more of a book of possibilities and a starting point to what you might want. The title drew me in to save space creativity rather than simplicity.

[Wandering Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving toward a more minimalistic lifestyle and am preparing to renovate my home. Books like this give me ideas on what that might look like for me.

[Pam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is somewhat interesting but the title "maximizing limited spaces" indicates there will be some ideas on how to provide storage and unique furniture layouts for small spaces. Instead this book is about gorgeous small apartments with costly amenities all of which must have a storage locker in the building's basement. All the apartments follow days fashionable minimalist approach with nothing visible. My major complaint however is that Elizabeth Wilhide has such a disregard for safety that she encourages stairs without railings and handrails repeatedly throughout the book. If there is room for stairs there is room to make them safe. It is a shame that she does not edit her books to put her readers first.

[Sonya Feher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Small Spaces: Maximizing Limited Spaces for Living in one night. The photos are beautiful, text is easy to read, and the book is organized into helpful sections on design strategies, style, and room by room.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great ideas but again, using modern style. Also appeared to require major over hauls of structure in some of the pictures. This is not a book to use as reference for a making do with what you have. If you want to rip everything out and start over it has some interesting, albeit modern decor style, ideas.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you're renting, or don't have the budget for major renovations, skip this book. From the description, I was hoping for more about how to arrange/organize what I have, but it was mostly about tearing down walls, getting new fixtures, etc.

[Flitterkit · Rating 2 out of 5]

couldn't get interested. skimmed.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The homes in this book were just a tad too fancy for my taste... And the tips were nothing new or special. But I still liked looking at the pictures!

[Mycala · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like modern, but the design and decor ideas in this book were a bit too stark and severe for me.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dearth of new ideas, most of the photos were from the same few houses, and some of the examples were insane (a window between the kitchen and bathroom?!)