Making the Most of Minimal Space

The team behind this 1,750-square-foot cabin shares tips for living large regardless of your own home’s size or style.

FOCUS ON FUNCTION

Ask yourself where you and others occupying the home will spend most of your time. “Design the common space that you envision first,” counsels contractor Rob McRae. “Then fill the remaining square footage with bedrooms.”

KEEP IT SIMPLE

“Don’t get too clever,” warns principal architect Larry Pearson. Whether it’s the structure itself, its layout, furnishing or finishes, the simplest choices are often the best ones.

BE PRACTICAL

“Do you need a wall or not? Do you need a door or not?” asks project architect Greg Matthews. “Do only what is absolutely required in the situation.” And forget about the details you really don’t need.

GO WITH THE FLOW

“Whatever you do, your space needs to flow,” says interior designer Rain Houser. Arrange furnishings to make it as easy as possible for occupants to move effortlessly from one area to another, and for each area to serve multiple purposes. “When your house is small,” Houser concludes, “it helps when each space can be utilized in many different ways.”