Smart Solutions for Small Spaces

Look for Furnishings That Contain Other Furnishings

With housing prices soaring, energy costs increasing and baby-boomers facing empty nests, many people are moving to smaller spaces. To make a compact space live large, look for furnishings that serve several purposes. Here are some suggestions to get you started.You know those Russian nesting dolls; you open one up and find another inside? Look for furniture that does the same thing. I love coffee tables that conceal stools or cushions underneath. While the Pottery Barn model above was recently discontinued, other companies offer similar designs.

Sleep sofas are practical, but costly. Futons are inexpensive, but clunky. Here's two alternatives that are both affordable and stylish. • The Kiel Futon looks like a conventional sofa. Drop the two side panels on the back and you've got a chic, modern-looking loveseat. Drop the center panel and--voila!--it's a bed that measures a comfortable 80 inches long and 49 inches wide. The Kiel Futon is available in the central and western U.S. at Scandinavian Designs, Dania and Plummers stores for just $349. • The Flip Flop convertible sofa from CB2 is a smart-looking sofa with two back cushions that can drop down separately or together, giving you a sofa, chaise or bed with just a flick of the wrist; $999.