The growing trend toward simpler is better has caused manufacturers to focus on designing compact yet still elegant products.  You’ll be nicely surprised by the selection of furniture and appliances crafted and sized for smaller homes and apartments. Innovations from sectional sofas to rolling kitchen islands to small-sized desks can make your downsized lifestyle downright pleasing!

When choosing furniture for a home with fewer rooms and less space, consider furniture that does double duty, such as a futon with a natural wood frame that can serve as both a bed and a sofa, or a wooden chest used for linen storage and as a coffee table. Nesting tables and side tables with drawers or shelves fit nicely into a smaller space and still give you places to put things away. Built-in storage incorporated into every room will mean less clutter and more space.

If you are downsizing to an apartment, then consider that there is furniture built and sized specifically for apartments.  Several companies such as Ikea, Target, and Crate Designs offer storage options meant just for apartment dwellers.  Ikea has small but attractive tables that include metal hooks for hanging utensils as well as towel bars, and legs so they can be rolled around the kitchen.  Target offers many coffee tables and other furniture on the smaller side with extra storage space in mind, such as a cocktail table with pullout baskets and a shelf underneath. Many small apartments don’t have the space for a traditional dining table, but you can buy a smaller scale cafe table instead, or purchase a 42-inch round table rather than a 48-inch table.  At Smartfurniture, you can create a custom-designed media center with just the pieces and layout that will work perfectly in your apartment.  If your home is your office, consider downsizing to a small desk and just using a laptop.

Other options include dining room tables with fold-down or removable leaves.  And folding or stacking chairs will give you more space to move around.  The classic director’s chair, with a wood frame and canvas seat looks great in any room, and it folds up neatly when not in use.  You can find these chairs at Cost Plus World Market and many other furniture retailers.

A rolling cart can also house a television set that can be moved to a closet or an out-of-the way space when you’re not watching.  Or consider mounting your TV on the wall to save floor space.  Many flat-screen televisions also include built-in DVD players.  Remember, though, that large flat-screen TVs and plasma TVs use as much energy as a refrigerator, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal.

If your living room doubles as your bedroom or you want an option for overnight guests, a sofa sleeper will provide a functional yet stylish solution.  Once folded, these sofa beds look just like regular couches.  Futons are perfect for apartments as they can be rolled up and stored when not in use.  Many futons now come with nice looking wood frames that can be raised and lowered so your futon can serve as both a casual sofa and a bed.  If you can’t accommodate a standard-sized couch, consider a sectional sofa that can be configured in an L-shape and nestled into a corner or serve as the focal point of your living room. And many furniture companies manufacture small sofas sized for a reduced square-footage lifestyle!

In the bedroom, try nightstands with cupboards or shelves for easy storage. Under-bed storage containers make great homes for seasonal items such as sweaters.

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