Interior Designer Anne Tuohy gives a tour of her small but stylishly designed pods at Wild Atlantic Camp Creeslough.

Just because you live in a small space, doesn’t mean you can’t have style, and good functional design.

In fact, in a small space, function becomes the core component of the design.

Back in January, I was asked to design the interior of twelve tiny villa pods on the Wild Atlantic Way.They are only 19 metres square in size, and my brief was for a contemporary interior, which would accommodate four people.

Here is how I did it.

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

The first thing I did was to configure the sleeping space.

By adding a raised platform over the double bed, I was able to create two single beds, with a colourful, oversized upholstered headboard for comfort and impact.

A handy pull out drawer under the bottom bed provides additional storage. I also added wall lights for reading.

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

Next, I designed the kitchen. I wanted to maximise the storage in the presses to include all the kitchen components, as well as some hanging storage for coats. So, I opted for a H – shape configuration with tall cupboards on either side.

I also included a two ring induction hob, a combination microwave oven, an integrated fridge / freezer and a small sink.

The kitchen needed to make a strong statement as you walk in, so I deliberately chose dark graphite grey, high gloss units. In a small space you can use stronger colours for greater impact, if you balance them carefully. However, a glossy surface will always reflect light, and make the space seem even bigger.

Then I paired the dark grey with a polar white worktop in each pod, and a vibrant glass splashback in zesty orange and lime green in every other one. These accent colours are also picked up in the oversized headboards, rug and scatter cushions.

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

The flooring I chose is a hardworking bleached oak laminate with grey tones, which I coupled with a soft, warm, light reflective grey on the walls.

To give a feeling of spaciousness, I tiled the wet room floor in a tile similar in colour and tone to the laminate. This creates an illusion of much greater floor space. Your eye is carried seamlessly from the timber to the tiles.

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

The success of this design was absolutely dependent on choosing furniture that was exactly the right size.

The sofa that I picked is in a hard wearing dark charcoal. It’s extremely comfortable, but with a neat width, so that it fits perfectly within the space, I deliberately chose a sofa on legs, because when you can see under the sofa, your eye is drawn right back, and you achieve a sense of enhanced space.

Normally, I wouldn’t put a circular table in a small space, but this one was neat enough to work, and I loved the sense of fun provided by the hard wearing colourful chairs.

To dress the windows, I opted for space saving roller blinds, which I matched to the colour of the window frames. This means that you don’t notice the blinds, and your eye is drawn to the stunning landscaping outside, which effectively brings the outside in.

In a small bathroom, having a wet room shower opens up the floor space, coupled with a neat wall mounted vanity sink, and a toilet with a shorter projection.

With very carefully considered design choices,,and by using multi functional furniture of exactly the right scale, you can indeed create a stylish, compact and functional home.

I am delighted with the finished design.

Wild Atlantic Camp Cresslough

So, regardless of whether your home is tiny or huge, I can help you make the very best of it.
I mostly work one to one with my clients with full service, start to finish projects.

This could be a new build home, an extension or renovation, a workplace redesign, or even one room in your home.

It means that I am with you every step of the way, with every decision and design choice that needs to be made. I will help you achieve the perfect home for you, your family and your lifestyle, that you might not have managed alone. I will also save you time and money, because I can guarantee that no expensive mistakes will be made, plus I have direct access to suppliers who you can source from for best quality and value.

If you need some help with any aspect of the interior design in your own home, I am very happy to offer you a free, no obligation 30 minute phone consultation. Click HERE to set it up

Stay fabulous.
Anne xx