Small Living Support Group with Jade Cham

Q. Can you help with ideas for maximising storage and bench space in my kitchen?

Jade says:

● A ‘storage’ trolley is an easy and cost-effective way to free up countertop space. It helps shift everyday items off your main counter while providing an extra surface for prep or placing items when cooking.

● A cover for your kitchen sink is a great way to create more countertop space as well. You can find solid or roll-up versions (like metal sushi mats) that turn your sink into a drying draining rack.

● A drying rack mounted above your kitchen sink is another way to free up countertop space.

● A magnetic stainless steel splashback is also a great idea in a small kitchen to create a space-saving way to store knives. You can also add hooks for storing utensils and other kitchen tools.

‍

Q. I need to work from home but don’t want to have to look at a computer screen or keyboard when I’m not using it. Any ideas?

Jade says:

● Once again, a trolley is a great solution. Have it next to your desk or table when you’re working and when you’re finished, pack your computer into the trolley and wheel it into a wardrobe or storeroom so it’s out of sight.

Q. I want to create a division between my sleeping area and my living/dining area without adding walls. Can you help?

Jade says:

● The IKEA KALLAX shelves are one of the best (and most budget-friendly) inventions for dividing rooms because you can stack them with things you love or need to store. Add in some books and a nice lamp.

● Hanging a curtain is a great solution too. You can easily DIY it and choose a colourful fabric that you love. Top tip: to avoid impacting natural light flow between spaces, don’t hang the curtains full length – leave a gap at the top or bottom or both.

Q. My flat has a low ceiling and lacks natural light. I can’t afford to remove any walls. What can I do to make the flat more airy and bright without spending too much money?

Jade says:

● Using mirrors to reflect the natural light from the windows is a really effective and inexpensive solution.

● Other reflective surfaces (polished stone, metal, glass or even glossy paint) will also bounce and reflect light.

● Furniture that is off the floor, with slim legs will allow light to bounce off the surface of your floor, especially if it’s polished or a light colour.

● Using different layers of lighting rather than relying on a single light source will make a space feel brighter. You can use wall sconces, floor lamps, table lamps, as well as overhead lights for a layered approach.

● To help with the low ceiling, consider installing your curtains from the ceiling to create an illusion that the ceiling is much higher.

Q. I have retro green and white terrazzo tiles in my apartment. I love them but my husband hates them (he thinks they clash with our minimalist japandi aesthetic). What advice can you give us?

Jade says:

● Japanese or Japandi interiors are often focused on calm and balance, so I feel that you can work with the terrazzo flooring to add character to the space. Instead of adding more colour, you could paint your walls white to give the spaces a sense of calm and then use the floor as the feature.

● You can add rugs to give your husband a break from the terrazzo (!) and to make the living spaces feel wider.

● Selecting furniture or artwork based on some of the green tones in the terrazzo will tie everything together and make it feel cohesive.

● Giving the floor a polish so it’s shiny again can make it feel fresher and more contemporary.

‍

Q. I live with my parents so my whole life happens in one room. What kind of storage solutions would you suggest and how can I zone my room for eating, sleeping and studying?

Jade says:

● There are some great hacks around for using IKEA storage cabinetry to build a storage bed. Storage beds are a really great idea for small spaces and there are either drawer-style or gas-lift versions available.

● Using shelving to divide the space if there’s enough room is a great idea.

Q. I have a very narrow hallway. How can I make it more interesting?

Jade says:

● Painting the ceiling an unexpected colour (white walls with a nice cobalt blue for the ceiling for instance) could give it a lift.

● Mixing up the lighting in the hallway with different types of lights (such as wall lights and pendant lights) or a decorative ceiling light will add subtle interest.

● Shallow ledge-style shelves could allow you to display small items like postcards and other interesting things to look at so it doesn’t feel boring.

● Decorative tiles in the hallway or entrance area could be a great way to add interest without crowding the narrow space.

Q. I really want to make my balcony cute, but it has no roof and so every plant I’ve tried to grow on it dies from too much sun. Help!

Jade says:

● Raising hardier plants on stools or a little bench to shade and protect more delicate plants beneath them might help with plant survival.

● Fairy lights are super simple but add a lovely ambience to a balcony space after dark.

● Colourful and compact stools or a small bench to sit on (not just for your plants) will make the space more welcoming. You could even DIY them for more character and charm.

● Colourful pots (maybe with fake plants?!) will make the space feel friendlier.

‍

Q. The entrance to my flat opens right into the living room. I would like to create an entrance zone but I’m worried it will make the flat feel smaller and dark.

Jade says:

● I recently renovated my sister’s house. We built a half-height shoe cabinet about one metre tall between her entrance and dining areas. We suspended it from the floor by 200mm so that they can keep the shoes under the shoe cabinet too. As there was an awkward space between the original distribution box and the new shoe cabinet, I created a small ledge for hanging an umbrella on the side of the cabinet. Something like this could work.

● Another option could be to find a fabric you like and DIY a frame to create a divider.