Small spaces : maximizing limited spaces for living

Small space living doesn't have to mean settling for second best.

Increasingly, these days, it's a positive choice for many of us and for all sorts of reasons that are not simply to do with keeping the mortgage manageable.

But to make the most of the space at your disposal, when you haven't got a great deal of room to play with, requires careful consideration and, sometimes, a special approach or sideways leap.

Thorough planning and assessment will help you to ensure your home functions smoothly and efficiently and accommodates the way you want to live.

Clever design strategies will win you more usable floor area and better spatial quality. And, in terms of decoration and furnishing, there are many tried and tested ways to make a small space appear bigger without compromising your sense of personal style.

Elizabeth Wilhide is the author of over 20 books on interior design, decoration and architecture and a co-author and contributing editor to some 30 other titles, collaborating with authors such as David Linley, Terence Conran and Tricia Guild.

Born in the United States, she has lived in Britain since 1967. She lives with her husband, an architect, and their two children in the East End of London.