mini living room at ikea

i had to run to ikea earlier this week, and if i have time when i go, i like to walk around the showroom. most of the time, i am there just to grab something, and i am in and out in record time. (for real. i bet if you divided the number of times i have been to ikea by the total number of minutes i have stayed, i would win some type of medal or something! or at least get some free chocolate...)

anyway, i was particularly captivated by this mini living space:

(sorry the pictures are a little blurry. i was running while i took these. 

ok, not really. but i WAS in a hurry.)

there are so many SMART space saving ideas at work here!

*i really love the armless sofa. arms take up a lot of space on a chair or sofa, and eliminating them not only opens up the room, but saves precious inches.

*the fact that the storage wall is floating is also a HUGE space saver because it takes up zero floor space, allowing the sofa to fit more snugly against the wall. 

*the use of two small tables and a small floor lamp adds functionality to the room without compromising space.

*the art hung below the below the storage is brilliant, and lets not forget the lighting! the space would feel very different if all of the lighting was coming form the ceiling. staggering the lighting on different elevations helps to create a sense of coziness and also eliminates dark shadows.

*i also love the the entertainment area is wall mounted, allowing the ottomans to be partially tucked away.

several sources of light create a layered and cozy space.

another look at the sofa. 

such a well executed space!

wouldn't you love to have a room like this if you lived in a big city and had a tiny apartment? who says you have to compromise style and storage when space is short?