As urban populations grow and housing costs rise, many people are living in smaller spaces than previous generations. This shift has created new challenges—and opportunities—for furniture designers and manufacturers. At Power Terra, we believe that compact living doesn't mean compromising on comfort, functionality, or style.

The Small Space Revolution

Throughout Europe, and particularly in urban centers like Copenhagen, Amsterdam, and London, apartment sizes have been trending smaller. The average new apartment in Denmark is now approximately 20% smaller than those built in the 1990s. This reduction in space requires thoughtful solutions for maintaining quality of life.

Fortunately, Danish design has always embraced the principles of efficiency and functionality. The tradition of creating furniture that serves multiple purposes while maintaining aesthetic appeal makes Scandinavian design particularly well-suited to address the challenges of compact living.

Strategic Approaches to Small Space Furniture

Multifunctionality: Furniture That Works Harder

The cornerstone of small-space furniture design is multifunctionality—creating pieces that serve more than one purpose. Examples include:

  • Sofa beds and daybeds that transform from seating to sleeping space
  • Extendable dining tables that can accommodate guests but occupy minimal space day-to-day
  • Storage ottomans that provide seating, footrest functionality, and hidden storage
  • Nesting tables that can be separated when needed or stacked to save space

Our Aalborg collection features several multifunctional pieces, including a coffee table with adjustable height that can transform into a dining surface and built-in storage compartments.

Visual Lightness: Creating a Sense of Space

Heavy, bulky furniture can make small rooms feel cramped. Furniture with visual lightness—pieces that allow the eye to travel through them—can help maintain a sense of spaciousness. Consider:

  • Furniture with slender profiles and legs that elevate pieces off the floor
  • Glass or transparent elements that reduce visual weight
  • Open shelving instead of solid cabinets
  • Light-colored finishes that reflect light and create an airy feeling

Our Copenhagen chair exemplifies this approach with its refined silhouette and open frame that creates a sense of lightness while maintaining structural integrity and comfort.

Modularity and Flexibility

Modular furniture systems allow for customization to fit specific spaces and adapt as needs change. This approach enables:

  • Reconfiguration of elements to suit different activities
  • Scaling up or down as space allows
  • Adding or removing components over time
  • Creating personalized arrangements that maximize functionality

The Aarhus shelving system in our collection demonstrates this principle, with components that can be arranged vertically or horizontally and expanded with additional modules as needed.

Smart Storage Solutions

In small spaces, effective storage is essential for maintaining order and minimizing clutter. Strategic storage solutions include:

  • Furniture with integrated, hidden storage compartments
  • Vertical storage that utilizes wall space
  • Under-bed and under-sofa storage containers
  • Dual-purpose pieces like storage headboards or benches with drawers

Our designers approach each piece with a "storage mindset," considering how every furniture element might incorporate additional functionality for organizing possessions in limited space.

Room-by-Room Solutions

Living Room

As the center of home life, living rooms in small apartments must accommodate multiple activities. Key considerations include:

  • Proportional seating: Apartment-scale sofas and chairs that don't overwhelm the space
  • Flexible arrangements: Lightweight side tables and ottomans that can be moved easily
  • Wall-mounted components: TV units and shelving that free up floor space
  • Dual-purpose tables: Coffee tables that adjust in height or provide storage

Dining Area

Even in the smallest apartments, creating a dedicated dining space enhances quality of life. Solutions include:

  • Drop-leaf and extendable tables: Tables that can be reduced in size when not in use
  • Stackable or foldable chairs: Extra seating that can be stored compactly
  • Bench seating: Space-efficient seating that can be tucked under tables
  • Wall-mounted or folding tables: Options that can be completely removed from the circulation space

Bedroom

Bedrooms should be restful retreats, even when space is limited. Effective strategies include:

  • Platform beds with drawers: Utilizing the space beneath the mattress
  • Headboards with storage: Integrating shelving and compartments
  • Wall-mounted nightstands: Freeing up floor space while maintaining functionality
  • Wardrobes with sliding doors: Eliminating the clearance needed for swinging doors

Home Office

With remote work becoming more common, creating functional workspaces in small homes is increasingly important:

  • Secretary desks: Compact workstations that can be closed when not in use
  • Wall-mounted desks: Surfaces that fold away after working hours
  • Convertible furniture: Dining tables that double as desks or console tables that expand
  • Vertical storage: Utilizing wall space for office supplies and equipment

Design Principles for Small Spaces

Beyond specific furniture pieces, certain design principles can help maximize both functionality and comfort in compact homes:

Scale and Proportion

Choosing furniture that is proportional to the space is crucial. Oversized pieces can overwhelm small rooms, while furniture that's too small may feel uncomfortable or insufficient. At Power Terra, we offer many of our designs in multiple sizes to accommodate different spaces.

Cohesive Color Palette

A consistent color scheme creates visual continuity that makes spaces feel larger and more harmonious. Limiting the number of different materials and finishes has a similar unifying effect.

Quality Over Quantity

In small spaces, each piece of furniture has a significant impact on the overall environment. Investing in fewer, higher-quality pieces creates a more refined and intentional aesthetic than filling the space with numerous inexpensive items.

Negative Space

Embracing some empty space rather than filling every corner helps rooms feel more spacious and peaceful. This principle, common in Scandinavian design, allows each piece to be appreciated fully.

Case Study: The Copenhagen Micro-Apartment

To demonstrate these principles in action, we worked with a client in Copenhagen's Nørrebro district to furnish a 45-square-meter (485-square-foot) apartment. The space needed to function as a living area, dining room, home office, and bedroom for a young professional.

Our solutions included:

  • A wall bed system that conceals the bed during the day, transforming the bedroom area into an extension of the living space
  • A dining table with a leaf extension, positioned against a wall when not hosting guests
  • A compact sofa with built-in storage and a chaise section that can serve as guest sleeping space
  • A secretary desk that closes to become a slim console when work is finished
  • Wall-mounted shelving and cabinets that maximize vertical storage while maintaining an open feel

The result is a home that feels spacious and uncluttered while providing all the functionality of a much larger apartment.

As urban living continues to evolve, the demand for intelligent, space-efficient furniture will only grow. At Power Terra, we're committed to creating solutions that enable comfortable, stylish living regardless of square footage. By combining Danish design principles with innovative approaches to functionality, we can help transform even the most compact spaces into homes that feel expansive, organized, and deeply livable.