8 ways of choosing furniture for your cramped condo unit

DUAL PURPOSE. The Adriana sofa bed is the size of a single bed so if you remove the back cushion it can act as a bed/sofa and it has a beautiful wood accent at the back.

IN FRANCE, Stephanie Kienle was once caught in a bind—she had to maximize whatever space her 25-square-meter condo unit could afford her. She needed to throw in all her stuff into the little living hole she had gotten.

Our living space just doesn’t usually meet our space requirements. This perennial dilemma is common to most condo owners, especially the “yuppies” (young professionals) who had just purchased their first condo unit and are scrambling to spruce up their own humble dwelling.

Inquirer Property recently sat down with Kienle, now marketing manager of furniture store Philux located at the Power Plant Mall, to discuss tips on hunting for the best deals in the thick of jacked-up market prices. Marga Lorenzana of Dwell home store and Rockwell’s consultants for interior design and architecture Alice Erfe and Butch Valdez also shed some light for the troubled buyers.

1 The first step is to study the unit’s floor plan and look at key areas where to fit your basic furniture pieces. “Provide for the essential needs first such as beds, dining and living sets then if space still allows put your accents such as corner tables and dividers,” Erfe said. Valdez recommended to take measurements of the unit’s every corner as these will become handy in the future.

2 Merge form and function. Kienle defined form as the beauty of the piece while function is “how it will serve the small space.”

3 Look for pieces that serve dual purpose. Sofa beds are perfect for the cramped spaces. Philux recently launched its Parsons Line which features skybed + desk set. This particular set saves space while the lower bunk serves as your study/work area. When getting TV stands, look for those that offer storage such as drawer sets.

CONDO COLLECTION. Philux’s latest collections and classic designs are fit for condo and apartment living. The Sarah Dining Set is a no-fuss casual dining setup (four- or six-seater) that is knock-down (meaning you can assemble and disassemble it).

4 Consider the color of the piece. Go for lighter colors for smaller spaces as lighter hues make the space look bigger.

5 Add mirrors to create illusion of space. Big mirrors add space and make the interiors brighter because they reflect the light onto the surfaces.

6 If possible, strive for little pieces those that are not too bulky. Bulky pieces cramp the space and are sore to the eyes.

7 Choose set prices. You can get a good deal in buying sets of furniture usually given at a discounted price. “Most stores offer set list for all your needs, so take a good look at them,” Kienle suggested. Lorenzana said an estimate of P5,000-P6,000 should be allotted per square meter of your living space.

8 Consider your lifestyle. For Lorenzana, a person’s lifestyle—and family size —should be given ample consideration. For instance, if you have kids select pieces that are sturdy and those which are dark-hued as kids usually play on surfaces and will horse around your living spaces.

The bottom line in this mad scramble to spruce up your living space is strategic positioning and wise buying. “Taste has nothing to do with money. The challenge is to look for similar materials that are equally functional and of high-quality while keeping them within your budget,” Valdez said.

Behind the interiors of notable Rockwell Land’s projects is the Erfe-Valdez partnership. Recently the formidable duo decorated a three-bedroom flat at the upscale Edades condominium in Rockwell Complex through the clever use of space, subtle architectural touches and the blend of vintage and contemporary pieces.

The Power Plant Mall has a host of home stores for your furniture needs. Case in point is Philux, a Filipino-owned company established in 1980. Its motto is “quality, design, functionality and value for money.” Dwell, on the other hand, traces its origins in 2008 and promises affordability, quality and flexibility of its pieces.

Both Philux and Dwell use local wood for their materials, especially the Philippine mahogany wood known to be more durable than any other local materials. The mahogany wood is perfectly suited to our climate because it is a “movable wood” meaning it retains its shape no matter what the weather is, Lorenzana said.