Small Spaces for Modern Living: Making the Most of Your Indoor Space

This book has many wonderful images and lots of inspiration for your home. The only thing you might want to know is that the ideas are best for those who own their own condo or a small house. Renters might be inspired by this book but probably wouldn't be able to implement most of the ideas.

I found the book very inspiring. The pictures in this book were meant as examples to push and inspire your imagine instead of taking a cookie cutter approach. The book also provides principles and strategies on how to implement your own ideas. However, the pictures provide primarily a modern and contemporary perspective for those of you who are die heart country chic or traditional.

We recently bought a new condo and found this book helpful in planning how to organize and arrange our new condo. Living in a big city we've always been strapped for space and the time needed to organize. I think Atkins does a good job giving advice on how to purge and ideas on how to maximize space. My only compliant about design guides (either this book or magazines) is that they tend to show spaces that rarely resembles the cookie-cutter condo look that you often buy into.

This book is fantastic! Unlike a lot of books on the market, it will really help you develop YOUR OWN space to suit YOUR OWN wants, needs, and taste. The first few sections are devoted to helping you really examine your own living situation: What are your basic needs for your space? What are your not-so-basic needs and wants that will make your space suitable to you? Now, what have you got to work with? How is the space defined? What are your limitations on changing it? And, how would you like it to look? Atkins asks very clear cut questions that will help you evaluate what you and your home are capable of. The next few sections are on basic design principles that work in any area. Use of color, lighting - both natural and artificial, furniture, and your own home's architectural features (doors, walls, windows) are explored. Finally, every room in the home is given it's own chapter. Every nook and cranny is scrutinized for maximum use of space. From layout to furniture to walls and floors, there is helpful advice on EVERYTHING. Large, colorful photos and examples abound; and there are even case studies that show a room and explain why and how it works. There are a few things about this book that I think put it above others in the same category. First, it really does help you evaluate what YOU are capable of in your own space. Second, there are helpful hints in the sidebars on nearly every page, which can be quickly referenced time and time again. And third, it covers areas that are often overlooked by other design books, such as hallways, stairs, and the occasional terrace. For someone who can only afford a new coat of paint to those about to take on a major renovation, anyone can and will find some useful advice in Small Spaces for Modern Living.

Over the years I've collected quite a few books on designing for small spaces. What I really like about this title is that it combines the best features from the wide array of books available on this subject matter. It doesn't just present you with intriguing ideas and cool photographs; it also provides important design concepts, so you truly understand the design solutions presented. The book starts with assessing and planning your space, then discusses a variety of applicable design styles (rather than just the often-sterile, minimalist/modern look so many books feature!), room-by-room ideas, and options for special circumstances (such as an attic or galleried space). The book is also laid out very well and is a joy to read and reread. My only complaint is that I wish there were photos of every idea mentioned!