Farah Altoumah designed every inch of her clients’s 960-square-foot apartment with purpose. A sleek, moody kitchen with integrated appliances and a hidden butler’s pantry blends seamlessly into the open-concept space. “The whole unit was designed with the city in mind,” says Farah. The designer selected the living room furniture to mimic the unique buildings along the Toronto skyline, from the Bubble Sofa to the Origami Chair. Get inspired by this cool and collected condo. Watch now!

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The greatest spaces tell a story, says Jessica McGouran of Jessica Leigh Interiors. “More than simply good aesthetics, I want every home to reflect the personality of its owners. This was top of mind when Jessica was hired to reimagine the interiors of a newly built semi in Toronto’s east end. The homeowners are a couple who love to entertain, watch movies and host viewing parties, so ample space for gatherings was a must. “My clients are fun,” says Jessica. “They appreciate good art and design, and wanted a bold look with rich, vibrant colors.”

Previously a poky bungalow, the new 2,000-square-foot, four-bedroom semi was an infill development by Toronto architect Vanessa Fong for Sierra Custom Homes. The minimalist, white-painted brick exterior draws inspiration from classic London mews–style houses. “I was born in London, so I have a soft spot for British residential architecture,” says Vanessa. “Mews houses, like semis, tend to be similar to the neighboring houses but also have distinct features that make them unique.”

The architect’s floor plan balanced the needs of everyday life with places to entertain. “The mudroom is easily accessible from both the front and back doors, and the laundry room is on the third floor, close to the bedrooms,” says Vanessa. For entertaining, the dining area is next to the kitchen, which opens out to an adjoining living room — a cozy spot for after-dinner conversation.

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“Small spaces call for unconventional solutions,” says Meghan Bannon of Mera Studio Architects. These top designers share their tips for getting the most out of compact rooms while optimizing style and functionality.

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Elyssa Maldoff, principal designer of Design State is used to designing homes for families with young kids, so when a high-powered lawyer and her 16-year-old daughter found her on Instagram, she was excited about the prospect of designing a space with elevated, timeless style. “After living in their midtown Toronto house for many years, the homeowners considered renovating the existing property, but ultimately decided on a new build,” says Elyssa.

Located in the Bedford Park neighborhood, the skinny 2,241-square-foot house feels like a relaxing oasis, full of ‘comfortable luxury’  according to Elyssa. “We wanted to go for something really calming that had a quiet elegance. With every room you’ll find the same elements — a neutral palette, soft curves and refined simplicity.”

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Located in a former Cuban embassy, this 740-square-foot condo has decidedly European overtones, with 21-inch-thick limestone walls and multiple sets of French doors. These details are what spoke to owners Elisabeth Lekhtman, an equity research analyst, and Gary Berdowski, a venture capital principal. The circa-1914 building was converted to residences about 20 years ago. In 2021, the couple viewed the place, fell in love with it and made an offer the next day. “I grew up nearby and always admired the architecture,” says Elisabeth. “This smaller unit was exactly what we were looking for. We love living in the city, and we didn’t need a second bedroom — we’re not planning to have kids for a few years. Plus, the outdoor area doubles our living space in the summer.”

Designer Michael Godmer was soon hired to renovate the living room, kitchen and bathroom. “We tried to keep the original character,” he says. “We played off the natural stone on the exterior by using travertine in the bathroom and quartzite in the kitchen.” In the entry, a wall of white oak panelling and vertical reeded moulding accentuate the lofty 10 foot-high ceilings and add texture. The existing closet was bumped out to create a deeper built-in unit for seasonal storage.

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When Lisa Bigioniwas looking for a modestly sized condo in Toronto in 2004, she was underwhelmed. “Everything looked the same,” she says. While out for a walk, she spied the Glebe Lofts, a 116-year-old Gothic Revival church conversion. “I loved the location and the charm of the space, and a small condo was a perfect fit for my busy lifestyle.” She bought a storey-and-a-half, 1,048-square-foot unit and, in 2006, her partner, Brian Stuart, moved in. Today, the couple also operates their business, Stok’d Cannabis, from the loft.

Unlike many church conversions, the space didn’t have the typical tells (stained glass, arched doors, brickwork). Instead, it was filled with builder-grade finishes. “Lisa loves character, but the original design was bland and tired-looking,” says designer Nicci Harrison of Studio Cajole, who revamped the space in 2022.

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Designing a small home that functions well and looks good can be like sliding around pieces of a puzzle until everything fits together beautifully and works seamlessly. A small space can take more space planning and careful consideration than a property two times the size. Before you start unpacking or purchasing items for your new space, consider these dos and don’ts.

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Turn your small entryway into a hardworking space with inspiration from these condos, townhouses and city homes. From standout tile to bold wallpaper and stylish storage, these designers and homeowners got creative with every inch of space. Scroll down for some of our best small foyer ideas.

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“When you’re working with small space design, every inch counts.” In this must-see makeover, designer Meghan Carter brings clever and functional solutions to a young couple’s urban home — without changing the footprint. See how she transformed the cramped 350-square-foot main floor into an open-concept oasis that packs in plenty of storage, color and natural light. Get the full tour here!

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