Jun 02, 2014 11:09
by Claudia Stephenson

Constantly knocking your knees on clutter? Peep My Style’s Claudia Stephenson has stylish tips and buys that’ll make navigating your space a whole lot easier. 

Do a cull

Cull as much as you can. Ask yourself ‘How long has it been since I used this last?’ and if it’s more than six months, take it to a charity store. Can’t find a place for those piles of glossy magazines? Try Ubabub’s acrylic wall-mounted shelving system for a chic display alternative.

Get in the zone

Create ‘zones’ in your room with rugs. Freedom offers an extensive selection, but remember to keep the colours harminious. If your bed and lounge are in the same room, make a little island for the sofa and coffee table. Rugs don’t have to be huge; they can sit 2/3 of the way down a bed.

Make big-ticket items count

Spend a little extra on your bed, sofa or coffee table. A fabulous bed head can even double as art if you choose a bold pattern. IKEA’s Brimnes (below) bed head performs double duty, offering storage and a space to unleash your creativity. Ditch the white for a pop of colour with a glossy finish.

Display your threads

Why hide your lovely clothes behind closed doors? IKEA Stolmen (below) is your space-saving BFF. With an adjustable height, it’s the perfect way to show off all your favourite fashion purchases and it can double as art if you get good at merchandising. Use cute storage boxes like the Lekman from IKEA for your knits, or for a more boho look, these Magga baskets (below) will do the trick.

Create a mobile office

Turn your dining space into an office with the Strut table, which comes in three different sizes. I bought the medium in watermelon pink, which could easily double as a small dining table for four. Keep the chairs simple and stackable. I love the chic and affordable selection from Matt Blatt.

Go see-through

Clear furniture is a no-brainer when it comes to creating the illusion of space. Think dining chairs, coffee tables and bookshelves or ladders. Buy two of these side tables from Matt Blatt and use them as your coffee table.

Lighting is everything

Floor lamps are an obvious option and you only need to invest in one or two to light a small space. Freedom’s Studio floor lamp is my pick.

Don’t downsize

Don’t be fooled into thinking you need to buy teeny tiny furniture to go in your teeny tiny space. You will end up uncomfortable and feel like you’re living in a doll house. Buy a regular sized sofa and coffee table like this one from West Elm.