New Milton Advertiser 29th Jan 2021

26 · Friday 29th January 2021

news@adt.press · advertising@adt.press · 01425 613384

Big appeal of small spaces Creating a tiny nook could make your small home feel bigger, says Abi Jackson

Alexa low stool

D o you have a favourite part of your home? Mine is the mini seating area at the top of my kitchen. It’s just a rug, two weeny wooden stools and a dinky table next to the wall – my ‘tiny kitchen nook’ – and I love it. Pre-pandemic, like lots of people living in town or city where space is at a premium, especially those in shared rented properties, the only place to sit that wasn’t our beds was in the lounge. With a sofa, small dining table and two chairs, this had suited me fine. After all, most of my living took place elsewhere; home was mainly somewhere to store my stuff and

This is a trickier set of criteria than it sounds. As I soon discovered, most tables with the width I was looking for have very short legs. They’re mostly side tables designed to be tucked in corners with a plant on top, or nestled next to sofas to keep coffee mugs within reach. I considered an outdoor dining set, a bistro style table with matching chairs might have worked – but even the smallest of these still seemed a bit on the big side for the space I was working with. After a few weeks of scouring websites, I struck gold with a Habitat drew tall side table (£40, Argos), and a couple of Oddvar pine stools (£8 each, Ikea). With a 40x40cm white top and 60cm height, the table was exactly what I’d envisioned, and the 45cm- high stools were a perfect pairing (you could paint or stain and varnish them easily enough, too). Tiny table, big rewards I got a small Ikea rug to go under- neath and hung a framed print of a photo I took of some trees during a trip to Sweden a few years ago. We’d been right up north on the edge of wilderness and I’d fallen deeply in love with the scenery; there’s nothing special about this photo, aside from the fact it takes me back and I like it. That sums up the tiny kitchen nook, really. It couldn’t be more basic, yet I couldn’t be happier with it. This simple addition has made a big dif-

sleep – until lockdown came along. Suddenly, having somewhere else to sit became a pressing need. With no other rooms available, and a galley kitchen too small for a proper dining set-up, the options were limited. The solution was to create a tiny nook. Creating your nook There are a number of ways you could do this. Your tiny nook might simply be putting an armchair and lamp into an unused corner. It could be a bench, softened up with cush- ions, in a hallway. It’s about zoning off an unused sliver of space to create something that’s functional and feelgood – for tucking away with a podcast or book, or even with Netflix on the laptop when the sofa feels a tad crowded. For me, it had to be the kitchen. I’d previously tried to put the dining table in the gap between the end of the cabinets and the wall – and I had managed to wedge it in, but leaving

This simple addition has made a big difference to my daily wellbeing, as well as to the functionality of my living space

Three more ideas… Check out the Kia marble side table in green and gold, £79, or the velvet upholstered Alexa low stool, £39, both from Cult Furniture, if you are look- ing for more inspiration. If you’d like to feature some pretty, fully foldable garden furniture in your tiny nook, the Rive Droite bistro set, £120, from Garden Trading could work well. While the Industrial round side table, £44.99 from Ho- mescapes, is made from solid mango wood on a curved grey metal frame, and will bring some industrial style to your new nook.

Industrial round side table, £44.99, from Homescapes

it there would have meant having to crawl under or clamber over it to get to the bathroom. What it needed was something su- per-compact. A table just big enough for a bread board, single serving plate, or a couple of small bowls, cups or wine glasses. It also had to be round, to eliminate any squeez- ing around awkward edges – but tall enough to comfortably eat off, or rest an elbow on while reading.

ference to my daily wellbeing, as well as to the functionality of my living space and my sense of connection with it. It means I can sit and savour my morning coffee before the day cranks up. Working-from-home lunches and tea breaks can take place completely away from the desk, and – best of all – a guest can sit and chat with a glass of wine while I’m cooking (although that’s mostly a post-pan- demic fantasy for now). That’s the beauty of a tiny nook. And once it’s there, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.

Habitat drew tall side table on bamboo, £40, Argos

Kia marble sidetable

Rive Droite bistro set

Wish there was somewhere else to sit in your place? A tiny nook could be the answer

Oddvar pine stool, £8, Ikea

sales & lettings

An imposing seven bedroom detached Grade II listed property of approximately 5000 sq. ft., with original features and steeped in history. The property sits in attractive landscaped gardens. Chain free. • Seven bedrooms • Flexible living accommodation • Large cellar • Landscaped gardens Langley Guide Price £850,000

A spacious, detached four bedroom house with a single garage, off road parking and attractive rear garden, situated in a popular location in the village of Hordle.

• Detached house • Four bedrooms

• In all 120.7 sq m (1300 sq ft) of accommodation. • Pretty rear garden Guide Price £515,000

A property sale or purchase is more than just a transation, it’s about looking after the people involved and keeping them informed, which is why our clients come back to us time and again. When you are ready to sell your property, or buy your next one, trust an Estate Agent that listens and communicates and let us lead the way to your next home. For a free and no obligation appraisal contact us on 01590 689878 or lymington@w-w.co.uk

Hordle

“Very un-estate-agenty is probably the best compliment I can give Woolley & Wallis! They went above and beyond in terms of service and being available at short notice, based upon the constrained schedule I had.” Miss H, 2020

“I was very nervous at the beginning from previous bad experiences of Estate Agents. They asked me to trust them, I did and they have been true to their word, I would definitely use them again.” Miss J, 2020

“Woolley Wallis were excellent. Their service was attentive and personal without being at all pushy.” Mrs B, 2020 &

“Excellent rapport with very good, prompt, exemplary service. We are so reassured and confident in having made the right choice, we are using them to sell another property!” Mr W, 2020

A charming Victorian Cottage that combines original character and modern touches with a lovely courtyard garden. Chain free. • Central location

An ultra modern two bedroom, two bathroom open plan apartment, featuring contemporary design and quality finish throughout. Chain free. • Two double bedrooms

• East facing garden • Separate side alley access to the garden Guide Price £375,000

• Approximately 96.9 sq m (1043.5 sq ft of accommodation).

• Two bathrooms • Open Plan Living

• Two double bedrooms

24 Gosport Street, Lymington, Hampshire SO41 9BE 01590 689878 • lymington@w-w.co.uk • www.w-w.co.uk

Lymington

Lymington

Guide Price £500,000

LYMINGTON

Ringwood 01425 482380

Romsey 01794 512129

Fordingbridge 01425 655900

Salisbury 01722 424524

Shaftesbury 01747 852242

Malborough 01672 515252

01590 lymington@w-w.co.uk 24 Gosport Street, Lymington SO41 9BE 689878 |