The elegance of enough
Moving into a condominium unit from a house is a huge move. Emotionally, it was a bittersweet decision.
We moved into a new residence nearer to work, our friends, and family, but left a home that served three generations of women and supported my maternal grandmother’s Orchid Conservatory.
When we moved, we had to filter out pieces of furniture, decor, and antiques that we could bring or give away. For us, the artwork was mandatory. You will find our offices with paintings on the ceiling, lift lobbies, and even in our office bathroom.
I have always liked huge paintings, so moving into a smaller space meant finding ways to hang them.
While a 300-sqm condominium unit is spacious compared to a lot of real estate, the dynamics of a two-story home offer more wall space and storage.
Because of this, it’s taking us a month to organize our things, although it’s fun to have new discoveries in space-saving and functional tools to support our everyday hustle and bustle.
Here are some tips for those making the same move.
Make use of every nook and cranny
Having started our interior firm in 2001 building model show homes, designing small spaces has always been fun for me. It’s always a challenge—and a happy one!
I’ve worked on projects for spaces ranging from 13 sqm for a studio unit—with a bathroom and kitchen—to as much as 1,100 sqm. Every inch counts, so take advantage of that. There are always ways to fix plans and layouts that can play with your space. This is where the interior designers are at their best.
Start with the utility and service area
Having a well-organized utility area is good for the mind and body. This area is best kept neatly stacked, with appliances properly chosen for your needs. Have dedicated spaces for hanging, ironing, storage for cleaning tools, and a separate area for dirty linens, among others.
Stick to essential wares
Living in a condo, I realized I don’t need six designs of plateware and flatware. I just need about three to four for everyday use or parties. Stack them together per design for easy use and maintenance.
You also don’t need three ice buckets, numerous platters, varied serving trays, and more. I would tell my clients, maybe you just need the essentials—and then some!
Create multiple zones
Who says you can only have one kitchen in a condo unit? You can have two! I built the main kitchen near the service area and created a small kitchenette in the middle of my living room.
The trend nowadays is to create recreational spaces within your living area, beyond just entertaining and resting. There should also be a space that encourages interaction with family, aside from the dining area.
Shop for storage solutions
Here are some of my favorite storage solutions that have made organizing so much easier.
Shelf dividers. A shelf divider in clear acrylic is great for splitting a full shelf to segregate shirts from other clothing. This also prevents clothing spillage.
Hat stands. A hat stand is perfect for storing baseball caps—space-saving and easy to see.
Bag display. Display your bags on open shelves where they can be easily seen. Use acrylic risers and dividers to showcase smaller bags.
Closet lighting. Light up your closets. For someone with bad eyesight like me (without glasses), I need light to guide me through the “black hole” of clothing.
Folding hooks. These are especially useful for hanging clothes easily without taking up too much space.
Valet rod. A new discovery! This is perfect for hanging clothes in small spaces or setting aside outfits you don’t want to lose sight of.
Hanging rod in the kitchen. This is great for hanging ladles, towels, and other items that would otherwise clutter your counter.
Hanging table. A favorite feature, it’s mounted on counters to create extra space for eating or food prep.
Full-height kitchen cabinets. Use the full wall for hanging cabinets. The extra upper space is great for storage. It may be restrictive for some, but there are always stylish step ladders, like those from Dimensione or Kartell.
Retractable clothes hanger. This is useful in laundry areas. They’re retractable and neat–until you hang your underwear (unless it’s La Perla!).
Rotating trays (lazy Susan). These are incredibly useful for kitchens. Instead of searching for spice bottles, just rotate the tray. Got mine from Mayfair and Co.
Automatic salt and pepper shakers (with LED). These are easy to use and help estimate seasoning better. Got mine from my_kitchen_essentials on Instagram.
Sink organizer (Brabantia style). Sleek and functional, this stores dish soap, sponges, and even allows drying on one tray.
Hamper organizer. Sort clothes into separate hampers: machine wash, dry clean, and handwash. No confusion!
Rectangular trash bins. Choose bins that adapt to your space and blend with interiors. Brands like Brabantia and Simplehuman are practical and stylish.
Pull-out shelves. You’ve heard of pull-out drawers, but shelves are just as useful. These are ideal for lower cabinets so you can easily see everything.
The author is the founder of Chat Fores Design Studio, an award-winning and recognized interior designer known for redefining and elevating spaces. She specializes in residential, hospitality and amenity spaces for different real estate companies. Chat has also collaborated with international design firms to create residential interiors in Manila
