Designer Profile - Christine Brun Author of "Small Space Living"

Michael WeeI had a great conversation with Christine Brun, best known for her column “Small Spaces” published by Creators Syndicate and her book, "Small Space Living". Her take on small spaces for the outdoors is timely as homeowners focus on “right-sizing” their furnishings to make their spaces more intimate and compact.

Modular GardenFirst I always tell people who are furnishing an outdoor space to buy quality things they love. We treat our patios, balconies and terraces as extensions of our homes. So creating and investing in a space comparable to the indoors makes sense.

Any small corner in any room can become a mini-haven with the right imagination and creative flow.  A small space can be transformed with products that make it beautiful, stylish and functional.

The movement to smaller homes is definitely on the rise. I am seeing more and more homeowners, from 20 to 60, who want a smaller space that addresses their lifestyle without sacrificing comfort and livability. And smaller floor plans demand flexibility in design which is no longer “one size fits all”. 

Modular GardenOne group that I believe fits into the small space trend are the Gen-Yers or Eco-boomers, who need space-efficient entry-level housing as they move into adulthood. This group is becoming a strong buying and renting force, looking for affordable and creative ways to make their small space “live large”.

Modular GardenEco-boomers  - who do lots of entertaining -- are willing to settle for smaller spaces because they are just starting out in life and really feel the uncertainty from a weak economy and housing market. Homes from 450 to 800 square feet are not uncommon. So they compensate with cutting edge amenities and appliances for their small outdoor patio or terrace.

Modular GardenBaby boomers are also on their own journey. Life transitions, such as kids leaving home, offer a motivation for baby boomers to pare down.  Boomers who no longer maintain that large deck but still want a “wow” effect in their backyard are attracted to innovative, luxurious and custom designed furnishings and materials.

For example, a smaller scale outdoor room can still offer a sense of spaciousness with stackable seating, dining tables that can fold up and be put away, half umbrellas, rolling fire pits that double as a cocktail table and bench and snap-together floor tiles which can give life to a small balcony.

Beautiful Living StyleSecond home lifestyles do not necessarily equate with big spaces. Single room cabins or cottages  -- which are increasingly popular for boomers who needs an affordable way to build a guest room or create a mini-getaway -- require adaptable pieces such as dual purpose furnishings and colorful stylish rugs and pillows. You may not want to live in a shed, but these modern modular, mobile and miniature houses become increasingly popular as a sustainable lifestyle options.

If you have an ocean or lake view, all the better. These “staycation” homes can be transformed into a private retreat.

Smaller spaces also address the needs of seniors, who want a more manageable home that still offers the luxuries they were used to. The “Aging in Place” formula -- which lets seniors continue to live in their home --  has transformed outdoor design by giving them the best of all worlds -- enjoying life’s pleasures without leaving the home they love.

Christine Brun, ASID, is a San Diego-based interior designer
and the author of "Small Space Living."

Photo Resources
Michael Wee via Desire To Inspire
Modular Garden via Desire to Inspire
Beautiful Living Style