Small Living Room Trends, Reversible Sectionals, and Space-Saving Tips

Begin with an introduction to the latest trends in small living room design and the benefits of versatile furniture. Explore reversible sectionals with expert opinions and compare them to traditional sectionals. Discover top picks for reversible sectionals that can transform your space. Shift focus to kitchen and patio makeovers, offering fresh ideas and inspiration. Conclude with practical organizational tips to maximize small spaces, ensuring functionality and style. Wrap up with a summary of the key takeaways from the episode.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to another episode of Daily InteriorDesign Inspo!
I am your host, Betsy Helmuth, and today we arediving into the latest trend that is perfect
for small living rooms.
It is all about flexibility and maximizing yourspace without sacrificing style.
So, let us get right into it!

(00:22):
Setting up your living room can be a challenge.
It is sometimes tricky to find pieces offurniture that fit into your space while also
being mindful of how you will be using theroom.
Picking a comfortable piece of furniture to siton is a big piece of the puzzle.
One versatile option that might be just whatyour living room needs is a reversible

(00:45):
sectional.
As the name suggests, a reversible sectional isa sofa that can be reconfigured to fit your
space.
With a regular chaise sectional, the chaise—thelonger cushion that extends out for lounging or
propping your feet up on—is on either the leftor the right side and cannot be switched.

(01:07):
With a reversible sectional, however, you caneasily change the orientation and push the
chaise to the left or to the right side,allowing it to better fit into your space as
needed.
If you need flexibility, whether it is becauseyou want to freshen up the room by rearranging
the furniture or because you are planning onmoving in the near future, a reversible

(01:30):
sectional might be the perfect option for you.
Anna Tatsioni, lead interior designer andarchitect at Decorilla, says, “I have worked
with countless clients who have been able tocompletely transform their living rooms simply
by flipping their sectional around.
It is like getting two sofas in one!

(01:51):
Plus, they are great for maximizing space insmaller apartments or condos.”
Because of their versatility, reversiblesectionals are ideal options for renters and
people with smaller spaces.
However, there are also a few situations wherea reversible sectional might not make sense.

(02:11):
Some things to consider are the size andprimary function of the room.
Malak Bellajdel, interior design expert atInterior Moderna, says, “If you have a large
family or regularly host big gatherings, areversible sectional could be a bit limiting
because they are designed for more intimatesettings.” She adds, “In rooms with very

(02:34):
specific layouts, like a long, narrow space,the reversibility feature might not be as
useful.”
Additionally, if you love the layout of yourroom and do not plan on rearranging your
furniture, then a traditional sectional mightwork better for you.
According to Katelyn De Spain, principaldesigner at MakeHouse Design Studio, a

(02:56):
sectional might also not work if maximizingseating for guests is your priority.
“The chaise or corner section of a sectional isdesigned for lounging, which might not be ideal
for a conversational setting where comfort andaccessibility are key.
In such cases, a standard sofa paired with oneor two accent chairs can provide more versatile

(03:18):
and comfortable seating arrangements for yourguests,” De Spain says.
Ultimately, the decision to choose a reversiblesectional or not depends on how you plan on
using your room and whether or not you willever need the versatility that a reversible
sectional can provide.

(03:39):
“Do you enjoy hosting gatherings?
Are you more inclined to spend entire weekendslounging?
Do you like to frequently update your home’slayout?
Your answers to these questions will help youdetermine the best sectional setup for your
needs,” De Spain says.
Now, let us talk about some of our favoritereversible sectionals currently available on

(04:02):
the market.
Michelle Minch, professional home stager andchief design officer at Moving Mountains
Design, recommends choosing a reversiblesectional that consists of a sofa and ottoman,
which you butt up against the sofa to createthe chaise portion.
“These are extremely flexible, as you can alsouse the ottoman as stand-alone seating if you

(04:25):
do not want the sofa and sectionalcombination,” Minch says.
One great option is the 99-inch CombinationConvertible Modular Sectional Sofa, a
down-filled L-shaped corner couch available onWayfair for $1,139.99.

(04:45):
This modular sofa easily comes apart and can bereformed into a sofa, chaise sectional, or a
love seat.
If you need a sectional that is also a sofasleeper, Crate & Barrel offers a fantastic
option.
The Barrett II 3-Seat Queen Reversible SleeperSectional is priced at $2,159.00.

(05:09):
Not only does this sectional serve as an extraqueen-sized bed when needed, but it is also
reversible, so the chaise lounger and ottomanswitch from left to right seamlessly.
The best part?
The ottoman has a hidden storage spaceunderneath the chaise cushion that is perfect
for stowing away blankets or pillows.

(05:30):
For those who love a mid-century style, checkout the Paidge 2-Piece Reversible Sectional
from West Elm, starting at $1,784.15.
This gorgeous velvet sectional comes in dozensof fabrics and color options, so you can
customize it to match any room.

(05:51):
The sleek sweeping arms and welted seams makethis sectional look incredibly elegant.
Simply reverse the ottoman and chaise cushionto the opposite side of the sectional if you
need to quickly reconfigure your furniture.
Next up, we have an incredible kitchentransformation that is sure to inspire anyone
looking to revamp their cooking space.

(06:14):
When interior designer Sophia Boccard’s unclepassed away in 2015, his house in Mazatlán,
Mexico, sat empty for a few years.
Sophia and her husband, Socrates Figueroa, whoare the owners of 35 Agave Co., decided to
breathe new life into the home, including astunning kitchen overhaul.

(06:37):
The house, which they renamed Casa Justinanioin honor of Sophia’s uncle, had a kitchen that
was last updated in 2010.
Despite being relatively new, the kitchen had arailroad-style layout with room after room
separated by partial dividers.

(06:57):
According to Sophia, the low ceilings made thespace feel “closed-in and claustrophobic.” With
a width of only 13 feet, the room was alreadyquite small, and they wanted to make it the
“exact opposite” of what it initially lookedlike.
Their vision was to create a spacious andfunctional kitchen that would contrast the

(07:19):
bright white walls with bold, colorfulcabinetry.
Sophia and Socrates opted for a brightteal-mint color for the cabinets, which added a
vibrant and refreshing touch to the room.
But the true showstopper in this kitchen is theisland with a cascading terrazzo countertop.
Interestingly, the countertops are not made ofthe popular terrazzo stone.

(07:43):
Instead, they were crafted by a local tombstonemaker who adapted his skills to create a
functional and stunning countertop for thekitchen.
Sophia shared that in Mexico, artisans areeverywhere, and many things can be made by
hand, allowing them to think outside the boxand avoid paying a fortune for terrazzo.

(08:05):
The renovation involved more than just openingup the space and adding new countertops and
cabinets.
Sophia and Socrates worked with professionalsto handle the carpentry, rerouting water lines,
ensuring the electrical systems werefunctioning properly, and leveling the floors.
In fact, they had to level the entire house byhand, raising it a whole 6.5 feet because the

(08:30):
narrow road where it was located did not havespace for heavy machinery like a backhoe or
excavator.
All in all, the kitchen transformation tookaround nine months and cost $7,500 USD to
complete.
The result is a kitchen that feels open andairy, with natural light pouring in through the

(08:52):
glass doors and vibrant countertops that makethe space come alive.
The open shelving adds to the sense ofspaciousness, making it a functional and
beautiful area for cooking and entertaining.
Casa Justiniano is now a vacation home, and thekitchen’s transformation truly reflects the
vision Sophia and Socrates had for the space.

(09:15):
It is a wonderful example of how thoughtfuldesign and a bit of creativity can turn a
“claustrophobic” kitchen into an inviting andstylish culinary haven.
Let us dive into a truly inspiringtransformation of a “brown, old” patio into a
cozy hangout spot, all for about $1,300.

(09:37):
Sarah Monson, who lives in the heart ofChicago, felt incredibly lucky when she
discovered that her apartment came with not onebut two private outdoor spaces.
However, when the snow melted, what she wasleft with was brown, old decking that needed a
major sprucing up.
Sarah, who describes herself as a prettyimpulsive person, wasted no time in getting

(10:01):
started.
“When I toured my apartment before buying it,there was easily a foot of snow piled on the
patios, so I could not see what I was workingwith,” she says.
“I am in the heart of Chicago, so to have twototally private secluded outdoor spaces for me
and my dog was the number-one selling point forme and what made me buy!

(10:23):
…
When the snow melted, I was left with brown,old decking outback.”
Sarah spruced up the space with new decking,comfier furniture, greenery, and accessories,
all for around $1,300.
She ordered materials and got right to work.
For the back patio, she enlisted the help ofher friend, Fawn O’Brien.

(10:46):
Together, they used about ten boxes of tiles tocover the old brown decking, making the setup
feel more sophisticated.
Sarah had never done any furniture assembly ortile-laying before, so it was a lot of learning
on the job.
But the results were worth it.
The new decking instantly transformed the vibeof the patio, giving it a fresh and inviting

(11:10):
look.
Larger furniture pieces, including a sectional,new coffee table, and side table, made the
space cozy and comfortable, costing about $800in total.
Sarah says she loves how the patio “gives [her]an extension of [her] house,” adding that “the

(11:30):
back patio is an extension of [her] masterbedroom.” However, she admits that in
hindsight, she would have chosen more durablefurniture to avoid spending so much time
cleaning tree sap off her pieces.
“Honestly, the maintenance is so much worsethan I expected!” she says.
For those looking for advice on maintainingoutdoor spaces, consider checking out some easy

(11:55):
cleaning ideas and tips for keeping yourfurniture clean and protected from falling
debris.
To add a touch of greenery, Sarah spent about$300 on plants, which helped make the patio
feel more secluded and personal.
One of her favorite tricks for addingpersonality to the space was hanging an LED

(12:15):
lantern from a tree limb for a faux chandelierlook.
You can find similar lanterns at stores likeWorld Market, West Elm, and At Home.
Sarah’s main piece of advice is to have peopleover, both to help with the project and to
enjoy the space afterward.
“Honestly, the best hack is to invite peoplein!” she says.

(12:37):
“Ask people if they want to help ….
just having the space for everyone to becomfortable is such a godsend.”
Now, let us talk about a hidden gem that Irecently discovered at Dollar Tree, and it is
hiding in the candy aisle!
Yes, you heard that right—the candy aisle.
These clear plastic candy jars with lids arejust $1.25 each, and they are absolute

(13:04):
game-changers for anyone looking to getorganized.
I came across this fantastic idea on TikTok,thanks to Emma Villaneda from
@TheCraftedStudioCo.
Emma used these clear plastic jars to revampher laundry setup by storing laundry pods,
scent beads, and even powdered soap.

(13:25):
The clear plastic makes it easy to see theamount of product inside while keeping
everything neatly organized.
But here is the kicker—these jars are not justfor the laundry room!
When I saw Emma’s TikTok, I immediately thoughtof dozens of other uses for these jars around
my apartment.
For instance, you could use them in your pantryto store dry goods like pasta, rice, or snacks.

(13:50):
Imagine how much easier it would be to seeexactly what you have on hand and how much of
it is left!
These jars are also perfect for bathroomstorage.
You can use them to store Q-Tips, cotton pads,or bath salts.
Their clear design means you can always seewhen you are running low on supplies, and they

(14:10):
add a touch of elegance to your bathroomcounter.
One reviewer even mentioned using them to storemini-bagels on the kitchen counter, and it kept
them fresh longer than expected!
Another brilliant idea is to use these jars aspart of a chic coffee display.
You can fill them with coffee beans, sugarpackets, or even flavored syrups.

(14:35):
They are compact enough not to take up too muchcounter space, but they still make a stylish
statement.
One reviewer shared that they bought two jarsinitially, then immediately went back to buy
more because they were so versatile.
The best part?
You can buy these jars in bulk online fromDollar Tree.

(14:55):
They come in sets of 24, 48, or even 72, so youwill have plenty to use throughout your home.
And at just $1.25 each, they are an incrediblyaffordable storage solution.
Whether you are organizing craft supplies,pantry items, or bathroom essentials, these
jars are up to the task.

(15:19):
So, if you are looking for a simple yeteffective way to declutter and organize your
home, head to the candy aisle at Dollar Treeand grab a few of these clear plastic jars.
Trust me, you will find endless uses for them,and they will make your space look so much more
organized and stylish.

(15:40):
That wraps up today’s episode!
I hope you found some inspiration and practicaltips for your own home.
Whether you are looking to transform yourliving room, kitchen, bathroom, or patio,
remember that thoughtful design and a littlecreativity can go a long way.
Thanks for tuning in to Daily Interior DesignInspo.

(16:02):
I am Betsy Helmuth, and I will see you nexttime!