Whether you live in a studio apartment or a tiny townhouse, you need to find a way to optimize your small space. That’s why living in a small home requires creativity and great attention to detail. What you lack in square footage, you can compensate with good organization and multifunctionality. You just need to be smart and strategic about your space. Fortunately, there are a few tricks you can use to maximize space in a small home. Even better, we’re here to show you how to use these amazing tricks and implement them in your house. So, if you want to live big in a small home, keep reading this article!
Tips to Maximize Space in a Small Home
Declutter
The first step of pretty much any project or process is decluttering. Maximizing the space in a small home is no exception, and for a good reason. If you want to create more space in your small home, you’ll need to eliminate everything that aggravates your living situation. This applies to both big bulky furniture and little items you never use.
Yes, we know it’s hard to let go of some things, but you simply have to learn to do it. You don’t have to hold on to everything you own. Maybe there is someone who actually needs some of your stuff. So why not make a yard sale or donate it. Additionally, try not to bring new unnecessary stuff to your home. Whenever you reach for something new in a store, ask yourself one question: Do I really need this, or do I just want it because it’s pretty? Usually, the second one is your answer. So, act accordingly!
Believe it or not, once you start decluttering, you’ll see how many things you own but never use. There will probably be some things you don’t even know you have. Once you get rid of them, one way or another, you’ll have so much more free space in your home. This is why decluttering makes up for a great way to maximize space in a small home.
Rent a storage unit
Since giving away your belongings can be scary, we have a solution for you. You can rent a storage unit and store everything that you’re fond of but clutters your home. That can be an old sofa your grandma gifted to you, a bunch of family albums, memorabilia, art, etc. Maybe you have some stuff that you can have good use of, just not all the time. All these things you can put in your storage unit and solve two problems at the same time – not saying goodbye to your things and maximizing your small space.
However, you should know how to organize your storage unit and make sure you have easy access to your things every time you come there. This way, you’ll always know what’s where and it will be easier for you to find something if you need it urgently (a toolbox or something similar). Make sure to always have a free space for new arrivals as well.
Think vertically
When you don’t have enough square footage, you’ll have to think of alternative ways to display and store all your stuff. One thing is certain – you don’t want to clutter your floor. Otherwise, you’ll just make moving around your house much more difficult. Instead, think vertically! Take advantage of your wall space as much as you can. For example, use the space above kitchen cabinets and doors as an extra storage space for the things you don’t frequently use. Also, consider building a few DIY floating shelves instead of cramming up the space with big, bulky bookcases. Use wall lighting solutions instead of floor lamps as well.
If you’re lucky enough to have high ceilings, consider upgrading your space with a gallery. You can use this space as a bedroom or a home office. Of course, you can use lower ceilings for other things as well. For example, hang pots and pans on a rack in the kitchen. This is an excellent way to maximize space in a small home easily and quickly.
Maximizing a small space by thinking vertically is the oldest trick in the book
Don’t clutter your home with massive furniture
We already mentioned that you need to keep your floor space as open as possible in order to maximize your small square footage. Well, the best way to do that is to adjust the size and shape of your furniture to the size of your home. Buying big and bulky furniture for your small house will just cram up the space. Therefore, you need to think about the best way to optimize your square footage. Of course, having custom-made furniture is always the best option. However, it’s not available to everybody.
Besides using your walls to clear out the floors, there are a few more ways to maximize your space. For example, tables with slender legs and couches with a shallow depth will go a long way. Additionally, a big, colorful rug will open up the space and make it look bigger. Pair all this up with white walls and a mirror or two, and you’ll visually add a few more square feet to your home.
Consider Multifunctionality
Functionality is key when talking about maximizing a small space. Or should we say multifunctionality? This means you should find a way to use things around your house in more ways than one. We suggest you apply this logic to both your furniture and different rooms. Here is what you can do:
- When it comes to multipurpose furniture, we suggest purchasing a dining table, bed, or sofa with additional drawers. This can be the extra storage you need. A coffee table with shelving underneath is a big plus too. A sofa that doubles as a bed is also a great multifunctional idea.
- Rooms can serve two purposes as well. If you live in a home with an extra bedroom and need both a home office and a guest room, you can have both in the same room. A pull-out sofa for guests and a work desk for you are something you can definitely pull off in one room. Add a small dresser with drawers and use half of them for a guest closet and half for storage for your work documents. See? Not that hard!
Be creative with room division
Living in a small space calls for giving a purpose to each corner of your home. Especially if you eat, sleep, and work in the same room. That’s where room divisions come in handy. By giving your living space a purpose, you’ll be able to separate your daily activities better. That’s just the fact. Additionally, if you’re creative with room division, you’ll also maximize space in a small home.
For example, you can double your division as a space for your many books. You can also create shelves and use them to store some of your stuff you don’t frequently use (seasonal clothes, extra towels, bulky blankets, pillows, etc.). Another great idea is turning your room into a small home office. Create a leveled surface (like a table) and a few shelves in the corner, and you can use this space for work only. You can do the same thing and use it as a dining table. Just add a stool or two!
To sum up
If you want to live big in a small space, you’ll have to be creative, think about multifunctionality, and declutter. These are the three main takeaways you need to remember. Of course, there are many more ways to maximize space in a small home. You should consider everything we put in this article if you want to succeed in this little project. Fortunately, maximizing the square footage of your house is easier than you think. So, pull up your sleeves and start this process step by step!
