Lack of storage means everything is on display.

A single bedside table with no drawers or shelves didn’t offer enough room to stash personal items. Extra shoes, clothes and other gear tucked under the bed were all too visible. The room also needed some softness and a focal point.

Limited functionality is a challenge in this small space.

A single hanging rod and an overloaded top shelf made the closet cluttered and chaotic, while valuable real estate (like the inside of the closet door) wasn’t used to best advantage.

This corner appears gloomy and sparse.

Deep green walls plus wood floors made the room seem small and dark. A hand-me-down bureau offered storage but looked dowdy, and a lack of window coverings, rugs or artwork meant the room felt cold.

Double your bedroom storage with style.

A pale wall colour and pretty floral wallpaper in springtime hues makes this space look larger. Bedside tables with drawers offer extra storage, while woven baskets with fabric liners and lids stored under the bed keep out-of-season clothing dust-free, but still accessible.

See more before and after shots of this room, and get more great ideas for small spaces in our Small Space Solutions gallery.

See more photos of Michael’s former apartment and a tour in our gallery and video. Plus, see tours of his new house, too!

A canvas bag and handsome wicker hamper keep laundry organized.

Smaller items, like scarves, belts and mementos, are sorted into small boxes. A shoe caddy, hung on the back of the closet door, gets shoes off the floor. Piles of sweaters and linens stay vertical with shelf dividers. A moody paint colour on the back wall of the closet makes clothing pop.

See more before and after shots of this room, and get more great ideas for small spaces in our Small Space Solutions gallery.

See more photos of Michael’s former apartment and a tour in our gallery and video. Plus, see tours of his new house, too!

A coat of paint brightens up hand-me-down furniture.

A classic dresser gets new life with a coat of dove-grey paint and brass hardware. A simple corkboard dressed up with fabric and ribbon keeps colourful necklaces within reach and on display. Bright flowers and a chinoiserie lamp also create a pleasing vignette on the dresser, adding hits of colour to the space.

See more before and after shots of this room, and get more great ideas for small spaces in our Small Space Solutions gallery.

See more photos of Michael’s former apartment and a tour in our gallery and video. Plus, see tours of his new house, too!

Get the look with Michael Penney’s paint, fabric and wallpaper picks.

• Wallpaper, Wisteria (2215), Farrow & Ball
• Sheets, Pine Cone Hill
• Bedding, Sears
• Nicolson fabric in blue, Designer Fabrics
• Wall colour, Pale Powder (204), Farrow & Ball
• Closet interior colour, Card Room Green (79), Farrow & Ball

See more before and after shots of this room, plus more photos of Michael’s former apartment and a tour in our gallery and video. Then tour through new house!