Space it out: The challenge of designing small rooms

Designing small rooms doesn’t mean have to mean compromising on style and personal taste, but practical needs and planning are essential to success, writes Carol O’Callaghan.

The first commandment of space planning is, thou shalt not enter a furniture shop without a tape measure, unless you want to risk unhinged doors and chipped paintwork from trying to negotiate an unexpectedly monstrous sofa into the living room, there to sit in splendid isolation.