When our client Jon moved into his new apartment, he faced a common challenge: how to make his existing furniture work in a small, open-concept space. With a large sectional, an ottoman, and a framed oil painting as starting points, Jon wanted interior design for small spaces that maximized functionality while maintaining a cohesive and stylish look. He also needed storage solutions, space for entertaining, and an overall layout that would feel open without being cluttered. Read. onto learn about our multifunctional dining table storage solution, and how we created this room!
At Dwellier Design, we specialize in custom-designed open floor plans that combine practicality with aesthetics. Read on to find out how we transformed Jon’s apartment into a multi-functional, modern living space and dining space using cost-effective interior design solutions and clever strategies for small spaces.
The layout of Jon’s apartment was carefully planned to maximize functionality while maintaining clear walkways and a cohesive design. With limited space, we prioritized creating distinct zones for dining, lounging, and storage, ensuring each area felt purposeful and open.
When Jon reached out to us at Dwellier Design, he opted for our Room Refresh Package, a service designed to transform individual spaces with fresh decor, smart furniture placement, and cohesive styling—all for a flat fee of $375. This package was the perfect choice for Jon’s new apartment, as it allowed him to address his specific goals while staying within budget.
During our personalized virtual consultation, Jon shared his vision for the space. He wanted:
A Functional Layout: The room needed to serve multiple purposes—a comfortable living area, an inviting dining space for entertaining, and a clear path to access the patio.
Integration of Existing Pieces: Jon wanted to incorporate his large sectional, ottoman, and a framed oil painting into the design while ensuring they didn’t overwhelm the small apartment.
Storage Solutions: With limited square footage, maximizing storage was essential for keeping the space organized and clutter-free.
A Cohesive Style: Jon desired a modern, stylish look that complemented the apartment’s existing finishes while adding warmth and personality.
The first step in creating a functional open floor plan layout was defining the living area. To do this, we installed walnut horizontal wall slats as a feature wall behind the TV. These slats served multiple purposes:
Warmth and Texture: The walnut tones added warmth to the apartment’s greyish wood flooring and complemented Jon’s leather sectional.
Acoustic Benefits: With sound foam integrated into the slats, they reduced echoes in the open-concept space, creating a cozier atmosphere.
Wire Management: The slats provided a clean way to hide TV wires and cables for an uncluttered look.
Because of the large sectional, we mounted the TV slightly lower than usual for comfortable viewing. The slats anchored this arrangement visually, preventing the wall from looking awkward or empty.
Jon needed his TV setup to connect to his PS5, but the limited walkway space made a traditional media cabinet impractical. To address this, we mounted the TV on the walnut slat feature wall and installed floating shelves to the left of the TV. This placement kept the shelves out of the narrow walkway and ensured they didn’t obstruct anyone seated on the sectional.
Practical Storage: The bottom shelf was designated for functional items like video games, controllers, and other PS5 accessories.
Decorative Touches: The top two shelves provided space for decor, such as books and small plants, adding personality and warmth to the room.
This arrangement not only maximized vertical storage but also maintained a clean, open flow in the living area—a perfect example of space-saving interior design tips for small apartments. By keeping everything off the floor and tucked neatly to the side, we achieved a practical yet stylish solution for Jon’s entertainment needs.
The dining area presented its own challenges: limited space (4’6” width), a need for storage, and seating for dinner parties. No ready-made table fit these requirements, so we designed a multifunctional dining room table that was both stylish and practical:
We started with a stunning live-edge acacia countertop from Lowe’s, measuring six feet in length. This choice was intentional for several reasons:
Natural Beauty: The live-edge design showcased the natural grain and texture of the wood, adding warmth and sophistication to the modern apartment.
Ease of Assembly: The countertop required no cuts, which kept the project simple and avoided the need for specialized tools or skills.
Durability: Acacia is known for its strength and longevity, making it an ideal material for a dining table that would see frequent use.
The tabletop’s rich tones complemented other elements in the room, such as the banquette seating and gold accents, creating a cohesive look.
For the base, we selected a black fluted cabinet from Wayfair—a piece that perfectly balanced style and practicality. This cabinet served as more than just structural support for the table:
Hidden Storage: The interior provided ample space for dining essentials like plates, napkins, and serving trays, addressing Jon’s need for additional storage in his small apartment.
Modern Design: The fluted texture added visual interest while echoing the sleek, contemporary aesthetic of the apartment.
Adjustable Height: By omitting the kickplate during assembly, we achieved the perfect table height without compromising stability or usability.
This clever repurposing of a cabinet into a table base exemplifies how multi-functional furniture ideas can be used to solve design challenges in small spaces.
One of Jon’s goals was to create a stylish space without overspending. This custom table delivered on that promise:
Budget-Friendly: The total cost came in under $700—a fraction of what similar high-end tables would cost at retail stores.
DIY-Friendly: With straightforward assembly instructions and minimal tools required, this project was as easy as building an IKEA piece but offered a much more luxurious result.
To maximize seating without overcrowding the space:
Banquette Seating: A Crate & Barrel banquette provided comfortable seating along one side of the table while blocking off the mini-fridge area to make it feel more cohesive with the room design.
Open Pathway: We left one side of the table open to ensure easy access to both the patio door and storage cabinets while allowing fold-out chairs to be added for dinner parties.
Mobility: To enhance flexibility, we placed the table on a red runner so it could be easily moved when needed—perfect for adjusting pathways or accommodating larger gatherings.
Jon’s large framed oil painting became the focal point of the dining area, anchoring the space above the banquette seating. This artwork added a sense of sophistication and personal history to the room, but it needed additional elements to frame it out and integrate it into the design seamlessly.
To complement the painting, we installed two gold plug-in sconces with bubble glass shades on either side. These sconces served multiple purposes:
Lighting: Since the apartment lacked overhead fixtures, the sconces provided much-needed illumination for both dining and entertaining.
Framing: The placement of the sconces created symmetry around the painting, drawing attention to it as a centerpiece.
Style: The gold finish echoed other metallic accents in the room, while the bubbled glass added texture and a soft glow.
To ensure a polished look, we concealed the cords using gold cord covers, which blended seamlessly with the sconces and kept wiring out of sight. This thoughtful detail elevated the overall aesthetic of the wall while maintaining functionality.
Privacy was another important consideration for Jon’s apartment, especially given its open-concept layout and large windows facing a busy street. To address this need while adding elegance to the space, we chose custom velvet curtains hung on gold curtain rods:
Material: Velvet curtains added texture and warmth to the room, softening its modern lines while enhancing its cozy atmosphere.
Functionality: Grommet-style curtains were selected for their ease of use—Jon could effortlessly open or close them depending on his needs.
Placement: We recommended installing a middle bracket on the curtain rod to allow full opening on both sides or complete closure when privacy was required.
The gold curtain rods complemented other metallic details in the room, such as the sconces and cord covers, creating a cohesive design language throughout.
In addition to floating shelves and storage within the dining table base, we included:
A black slatted wall cabinet near the dining area for extra storage without taking up floor space.
Decorative elements like plants on top of cabinets to enhance aesthetics without adding clutter.
These solutions demonstrate how interior designers for small spaces can creatively incorporate storage while maintaining style.
One of Jon’s key goals for his apartment redesign was to stay within a budget without sacrificing style or functionality. At Dwellier Design, we pride ourselves on finding cost-effective solutions that deliver high-end results. By leveraging discounts, DIY solutions, and creative sourcing, we saved Jon hundreds of dollars while achieving a polished and cohesive look. Here’s how:
The custom dining table was a standout piece in Jon’s space, and we created it at a fraction of the cost of similar high-end tables
The Crate & Barrel banquette was another key feature in Jon’s dining area. We sourced this piece at a significant discount with our designer discount and passed along the savings to Jon. This allowed us to provide Jon with high-quality seating that fit perfectly in his space while saving him several hundred dollars compared to the original price.
Through strategic sourcing and thoughtful design choices, we saved Jon hundreds of dollars across furniture, decor, and lighting while delivering a space that felt luxurious and personalized. This approach is what makes Dwellier Design unique—we combine creativity with cost-conscious solutions to help our clients achieve their dream spaces without breaking the bank.
Maximizing space in small apartments requires creative solutions that combine functionality with style. Multi-functional furniture is key—for example, Jon’s custom dining table doubles as storage thanks to its cabinet base. Banquette seating, like the Crate & Barrel piece we used in Jon’s dining area, provides seating while blocking off less functional areas like the mini-fridge corner. Floating shelves are another great option for vertical storage without taking up floor space, as seen in Jon’s entertainment setup.
Defining spaces in an open floor plan is all about creating visual boundaries without physical walls. You can use rugs, like the olive green checkered rug we recommended for Jon’s living area, to anchor specific zones. Feature walls, such as the walnut slat wall behind Jon’s TV, are another great way to visually separate areas while adding texture and warmth. Strategic furniture placement, like positioning the sectional to face the TV and dining table against the wall, also helps create distinct zones within a shared space.
Integrating existing furniture into a new design involves balancing scale, color, and functionality. For Jon’s apartment, we worked around his large sectional by ensuring the TV was mounted at a comfortable height and choosing decor that complemented its neutral tones. His framed oil painting became a focal point above the banquette seating, and we added lighting and gold accents to tie it into the room’s overall aesthetic. By layering textures and colors thoughtfully, we ensured his existing pieces felt intentional in the new design.
Lighting is crucial for small apartments to create ambiance and functionality. In Jon’s space, we used plug-in sconces with bubble glass shades to provide layered lighting without requiring hardwired fixtures—perfect for renters or apartments with limited electrical options. Soft white bulbs added warmth while avoiding harsh glare. Gold finishes on all lighting fixtures tied them into other metallic accents in the room, creating a cohesive design.
Curtains can add privacy, warmth, and texture to an open floor plan while softening its overall look. In Jon’s apartment, custom velvet curtains hung on gold rods provided both functionality and elegance. Grommet-style curtains ensured ease of use for daily opening and closing, while their placement allowed full coverage of patio doors when needed or complete openness to let natural light flood into the space.
At Dwellier Design, we specialize in personalized home design services that blend style with functionality—perfect for small apartments or open floor plans. Whether you need help integrating existing furniture or creating custom solutions, our virtual interior design services make it easy to bring your vision to life.
