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Pro Spotlight: How to Maximize Your Small Space
A Manhattan design-build and interiors expert offers advice on getting the most out of cramped New York apartments
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Who: Paula McDonald of Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors
Where: New York City
In her own words: “For small apartments in Manhattan, the challenge is how they can be adapted to today’s lifestyle. The smaller the space, the more open-plan direction is often the goal — and the challenge, given the building constraints of condos and co-ops.”
As a design-build professional in New York City, Paula McDonald, who owns Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors, is no stranger to tiny homes. “How to maximize a small space without enough room to begin with in Manhattan is a persistent problem,” she says.
Where: New York City
In her own words: “For small apartments in Manhattan, the challenge is how they can be adapted to today’s lifestyle. The smaller the space, the more open-plan direction is often the goal — and the challenge, given the building constraints of condos and co-ops.”
As a design-build professional in New York City, Paula McDonald, who owns Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors, is no stranger to tiny homes. “How to maximize a small space without enough room to begin with in Manhattan is a persistent problem,” she says.
Do your homework. Before you tear down any walls, research what changes you can (and can’t) make in your space. “In Manhattan, the type of building determines the structural constraints, versus what the client might want,” McDonald says. “Co-op or condo buildings are often the limiting factor to work around. Projects are a combination of creating a design concept and layout that can be achieved within the building’s constraints.”
Form follows function. McDonald works to ensure that all aspects of the design are both practical and beautiful. “My design philosophy is grounded in elegant simplicity and lived-in functionality,” she says. “I am inspired by nature, vistas, clean lines and elegant simplicity. I strive to create an aesthetic of calmness, serenity and light. My work is driven by problem solving and overcoming limitations to create what you can only imagine.”
Want to make the most of your space? Keep reading for McDonald’s tips to help you create a bright and spacious-feeling home.
Want to make the most of your space? Keep reading for McDonald’s tips to help you create a bright and spacious-feeling home.
1. Make Light the Focus
In small spaces, opportunities for natural and ambient light should dominate the floor plan, McDonald says. “Taking down the walls is often essential for illuminating an entire space,” she says. “Skylights are also a great way to introduce light. In this Upper East Side apartment, the homeowners wanted a loft space and an expanded kitchen. By removing the walls between the dining room and living room, we transformed it into an open and bright living and entertaining space.”
See more of this project
In small spaces, opportunities for natural and ambient light should dominate the floor plan, McDonald says. “Taking down the walls is often essential for illuminating an entire space,” she says. “Skylights are also a great way to introduce light. In this Upper East Side apartment, the homeowners wanted a loft space and an expanded kitchen. By removing the walls between the dining room and living room, we transformed it into an open and bright living and entertaining space.”
See more of this project
2. Create an Open Floor Plan
Removing or reducing barriers helps add light and create a better flow between spaces. In this newly remodeled home on the Upper West Side, for instance, the team took out extraneous walls to connect the kitchen to the living room and foyer.
“We transformed this dated apartment into a timeless, prewar oasis with an open floor plan,” McDonald says. Light from the living room windows now floods into the once dark, closed-off kitchen. The home also sports refinished herringbone floors and a new fireplace surround and hearth.
See more of this project
Removing or reducing barriers helps add light and create a better flow between spaces. In this newly remodeled home on the Upper West Side, for instance, the team took out extraneous walls to connect the kitchen to the living room and foyer.
“We transformed this dated apartment into a timeless, prewar oasis with an open floor plan,” McDonald says. Light from the living room windows now floods into the once dark, closed-off kitchen. The home also sports refinished herringbone floors and a new fireplace surround and hearth.
See more of this project
3. Expand a Room’s Footprint
Enlarging a room even a few inches can give you the space you need to do the renovations you want, McDonald says. However, if you have more than a few inches to work with, consider a larger expansion.
In another prewar home on the Upper West Side, the team enlarged the kitchen into several smaller, adjacent rooms to create the sizable space seen here. The all-white palette brings subtle sophistication to the transitional-style kitchen.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Paula McDonald and examples of her work, visit Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Enlarging a room even a few inches can give you the space you need to do the renovations you want, McDonald says. However, if you have more than a few inches to work with, consider a larger expansion.
In another prewar home on the Upper West Side, the team enlarged the kitchen into several smaller, adjacent rooms to create the sizable space seen here. The all-white palette brings subtle sophistication to the transitional-style kitchen.
See more of this project
More: For more information on Paula McDonald and examples of her work, visit Paula McDonald Design Build & Interiors’ Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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love your ideas you are very creative thank you rutanya