The Dwell Guide to Smart Design in Tiny Spaces

PATH partnered with local woodworkers Benjamin Klebba, of Phloem Studio, and Bren Reis, of Earthbound Industries, to build furniture and cabinetry into the walls.

Furniture that folds flat, like the Profile Chair, all but disappears when not in use. Consider pieces like these to accommodate extra guests in a pinch.

Architect Philip Ryan placed fluorescent bulbs that mimic daylight in the ceiling alcove of his Brooklyn apartment. The glow reflecting down the walls makes the room feel more expansive.

For this Swedish kitchen, an extra-thin slab of Carrara marble was used for the countertop and backsplash so that it would recede into the space, not overwhelm it. The room is also outfitted with IKEA cabinets painted a serene powder blue—adding a vintage vibe, and a high-low sense of style.

TT by Ron Gilad for Adele-C, $500 The removable tray inside a wire frame seems to float within a minimalist cage. adele-c.it

Brooklyn architect Tim Seggerman designed and built what he calls a “crafted jewel box”. Utilizing the petite space in his New York apartment Seggerman creates an enveloping cabin of blond woods.

Goolrick designed sliding partitions that when closed still allow light to flow through her 560-square-foot space, and when opened reveal cocoonlike sleeping quarters.

Designed in 1963 to match a similar molded plywood chair, these space-efficient nesting tables by Grete Jalk have been reissued by Lange Production in Denmark.

"It's all about creating cozy spaces, but deliberately so. Design, especially in a small space, should feel intentional. What's most important is not to over-compartmentalize. Allow for flexibility."—Kate Grogan, a Los Angeles–based designer for Poliform