Maximizing Space in Chicago Condos
How to Best Present Smaller Spaces For Sale
Every inch counts in a Chicago condo. An unbeatable location can sometimes mean compromising on the size of your home. After staging hundreds of Chicago condos over the past decade, we’ve learned that making a home feel larger isn’t about square footage: it’s about smart design decisions.
Multipurpose Furniture
The popularity of apartment living has inspired entire furniture lines that focus on multipurpose furniture. Most commonly, secret storage compartments are built into different furniture such as benches, couches, or coffee tables.
At O Designs’, one of our favorite ways to create a multipurpose piece of furniture is with an ottoman. In our stock, we use modular sofa pieces to design sofas to fit each staging as needed. In a smaller condo, we may use the matching ottoman as a “coffee table” by placing a tray with accessories on top. The ottoman can also be added to the couch to create a larger lounging space. This versatility provides a great visual for clients and can be utilized in day to day life.
Keep it Bright
A smaller space can feel bigger when the rooms are kept light and bright. Lighter paint colors such as Benjamin Moore White Dove or Sherwin Williams Alabaster brighten up the walls and provide a neutral background. Natural light can transform a space into feeling larger, but if you are lacking in windows, consistent lighting throughout the unit can provide a similar feeling. A final touch: mirrors. A mirror placed correctly will help bounce light throughout the room.
Find the Perfect Size
A piece of furniture may “fit” in the space, but is it comfortable and does it make sense? It can be tempting to buy the largest sofa possible to fit in your home. Once the sofa is in its place, the room can start to feel tight. When furniture is oversized for the space, walkways are compromised and visual space disappears. We recommend choosing furniture that’s comfortable while remaining appropriately scaled for the space. This may look like finding barstools that can tuck under the counter completely. Or sizing down on a sofa, but being able to add an accent chair that allows you to maneuver the space easily.
Small condos don’t have to feel small. With thoughtful furniture selection, strategic lighting, and professional home staging, even compact Chicago spaces can feel open, luxurious, and highly desirable. At O Designs, we help buyers focus on the lifestyle a home offers, not just its square footage.
