Local designers offer tips on space, lighting and structure for small spaces

Low square footage doesn’t have to equate to a cluttered home. Here are quick, easy fixes for tight-space woes, shared with us by Trends by Design owner Carmen Scully and local interior designer Pamela Emick.

Problem: Studio apartment

The fix: Room dividers

Create privacy between joint areas in smaller homes. Room dividers come in a variety of styles and sizes.

Problem: Little room for coffee and side tables, but no place to set things when guests are over

The fix: Nesting tables

Offer surface space when needed but tuck away neatly when not in use. Nesting tables house two to three smaller tables under a “roof” table and come apart easily.

Problem: Dim lighting

The fix: Lighting columns

They are lit from the floor up, resulting in more illuminated surface area than floor lamps. Plus, columns come in a wide variety of patterns and shapes.

Problem: Lack of windows and natural light

The fix: Large-scale mirrors

Create the illusion of natural light in a small living space with two or fewer windows.