Nobody can deny that real estate is expensive in Vancouver. With some of the country’s highest prices, many people have difficulty purchasing a home. First-time buyers - usually purchasing a 1-bedroom condominium - are often priced out of the market. With rising construction and land costs, the days of sub-$300,000 downtown condos has come to an end.In order to address this issue, developers are building one-bedrooms that are less than 500 square feet. One example is the units at 1010 Howe Street, which range from 478 to 600 square feet. While this may seem impossibly small to some, compromised size means affordability.
The trend towards smaller condos is not just a downtown Vancouver phenomenon. For example, in Maple Ridge, the average size of a 1-bedroom is now 590 square feet (from 750). This trend reverses in high-end condos, which are actually getting larger, especially in Coal Harbour.
There is an interesting parallel. Urban planning in Vancouver, particularly the downtown core, has focused on densification. It appears that this is also occurring on a micro scale - the buildings themselves are incorporating more units.
With smaller spaces, efficient floorplans become crucial. Developers have learned how to maximize space. Eliminating corridors and reducing flow spaces means more functional living space. Dining rooms are a thing of the past. Now there are “dining areas” or kitchen counters with bar stools. Smaller furniture, large windows, high ceilings and lots of natural light can also make a space seem larger than it is.
Furniture that is simple, clean-lined and modern looks less cluttered in a small space. It must be functional as well. Consider a chair for the living room. Its function is for sitting. You really don’t need an overstuffed chair with huge armrests. An ergonomically designed chair can be small, simple, and above all, comfortable. All of your furniture should face the same scrutiny. How much room do you really need on your coffee table? Does it incorporate a shelf underneath for storage?
Light colours work well - not just for furniture but also for walls and carpeting. This doesn’t mean one has to be faced with a sterile white environment when opening the front door. Light earth tones can warm a space, and dark accents can draw the eye to areas you wish to highlight.
A major space saving can be found in your home electronics. Traditional desktop computer systems require a desk and chair, space for the CPU, peripherals and monitor. A laptop eliminates almost all of this, and the peripherals (such as printer and scanner) can be stored in the closet until needed. Your computer can also be your home sound system, eliminating stereo stands and components. And high quality speakers are very small - another great space saver. Don’t forget about modern LCD televisions. With profiles so slim, they can be mounted on walls!
Small spaces can be livable, but an integrated approach is needed. Efficient floorplans, furniture choice, colour schemes, and lighting will help to ensure that one does not feel closed in.
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