Advice
How to make the most of small spaces
Are you looking to make the most of a small space? As compact living is pretty common these days, especially in big cities, it’s not surprising that this is a hot topic. So if this is you, look no further, as I have all the tips and tricks to make your humble abode feel more spacious.
31st January 2024
How do you make the most of a small living room?
The first thing to keep in mind when working with a small space is that you don’t need as much furniture as you think. In fact, many people find that they have more than enough already. That’s because certain pieces can be used for multiple purposes. For example, a sofa bed can be used as an extra guest bed when you have company and then stowed away when it’s not needed. If you’re not using the bed, it can double as extra seating or even an extra surface when needed.
If you’re looking for a sofa that works well in smaller spaces, look for one with a smaller profile, like a love seat or a chaise lounge. They tend to be more compact and will fit into smaller rooms more easily. Looking for some needed inspiration? I’ve narrowed down our best small sofas to get you started.
If you don’t have much space for a TV stand, try mounting it on the wall to save space on the floor. The same goes for storage solutions, such as shelves.
The trick is to keep as much furniture as you can off the floors so the eye is naturally drawn upwards and the space instantly feels more open.
How do you make the most of a small dining room?
Looking to make the most of a small dining room? It can be tricky to find the right furniture for your space, especially if you’re looking to fit a dining table and chairs in there.
When you have a small dining room, it can feel like there just isn’t enough space to fit everyone around the table. But there are ways to make the most of your space, no matter the size. So if you are limited on space and need to fit in a dining set, have a look at investing in a folding table such as our stylish Trafalgar Dropleaf Table or one with an easily removable top. This will allow you to store it away when not in use, making it easy for you to make the most of your small space when guests come over.
Secondly, try to keep your furniture as open as possible. You can simply do this by removing any unnecessary clutter or decorative items from the room. This will help create a clean aesthetic that lets light flow through and gives the illusion of more space.
How do you make the most of a small bedroom?
A small bedroom is typically only used for sleeping, so try to maximise this space by removing things that don’t serve any purpose in there, such as unused furniture.
Another great way to maximise the space in your bedroom is to invest in furniture that doubles as storage. For example, a dresser can be used for storing clothes but also used as an extra surface when needed. You may also want to consider adding more windows or a skylight so that light will shine into your room during the day and make your room feel less claustrophobic and more open.
How do you make small spaces liveable?
The trick to making small spaces liveable is to make sure they’re organised and efficient. If you’re living in a studio apartment, for example, and have little storage space, set up a few shelves in your bathroom or bedroom for extra storage. You might also want to invest in a fold-up table or chair set that you can easily put away when not in use.
Make sure that the main rooms in your house are well lit and organised so that they can feel bigger than they are. Lighting can make a room feel twice as big as it really is, and clear surfaces help things look cleaner and more spacious.
Another tip I can give you is to choose multifunctional furniture. For example, if you’re looking for a sofa but don’t have too much space, consider buying a sectional sofa that can be configured differently depending on how much room you need.
How to organise small spaces
Organising is the key to making small spaces liveable. If you’re organised, you’ll know where everything is. After all – a tidy house is a tidy mind!
Here are 4 steps to help you organise your small space:
1. Firstly, start by having a storage system in place to make sure things don’t get lost. Plus, if everything has a home you won’t have to find any room for it
2. Secondly, keep the floors clear of clutter as much as possible, as this makes the room feel bigger
3. Have a play around with the room layout, perhaps putting your sofa in the middle of your lounge will be better for you than having it against the wall – the trick is to do what works for you and your space
4. Space out bulkier items such as books so that they don’t take up too much floor space or crowd together on top of one another
How to make small spaces feel bigger
Less is more in small spaces.
Here’s how to make small spaces feel bigger:
- Make use of tall furniture to make a small space feel more spacious, homely and stylish
- Add lots of light (both natural and artificial) – use light colours for walls, furnishings, rugs, curtains, blinds and lampshades
- Fill your space with mirrors and reflective accessories
- Keep the floor clean and free of clutter – for example, look at getting an elevated shoe rack so your shoes aren’t taking up precious floor space
- Make the most out of storage solutions, such as baskets and shelves
- Add in a rug to help to define the space and make a room feel warmer and more spacious
- Opt for oversized artwork to add some colour without overwhelming the room
- Choose light-coloured flooring as this can help to open up any area
10 tips and tricks for making the most of small spaces
Whether you’re endeavouring to make the most of a small space or want to simply enhance the functionality of your home, here are 10 of my tips and tricks worth keeping in mind…
1. Use light colours to make your small space feel bigger – especially if there’s not much natural light coming in through the windows!
2. Get creative with furniture placement to make the most of every inch of space
3. Maximise vertical space with wall-mounted shelves– these are great because they can be used for storage and display purposes, as well as adding depth to a room
4. Welcome in nature with plants or flowers that can grow on windowsills, countertops (or even in pots). Adding in greenery is extremely beneficial as it can help make a space feel bigger and they’ve been linked to increased well-being too!
5. Utilising mirrors and reflective surfaces help to make the room seem larger – try placing a long mirror behind furniture to create the visual trick of an additional room in the distance
6. Invest in furniture with built-in storage such as drawers under beds and sofas – multi-purpose furniture will be your best friend!
7. Also use furniture that can be easily folded away when not in use – like extending tables and chairs or ottomans that double as seating when needed but can be tucked away when not needed
8. Try to keep clutter to a minimum as a cluttered room will always feel smaller than an uncluttered one – take a look at our decluttering guide for some much-needed inspiration
9. Hang a shoe organiser on the back of a door to store small items that would otherwise clutter up the top of your dresser or vanity
10. Use small accessories like vases, picture frames and other décor items that add visual interest and personality without taking up much room at all
My compact living picks
These are a selection of my recommended furniture pieces best suited for compact living:
Storm Fabric 2 Seater Sofa
Baxter Fabric 2 Seater Sofa
Hoxton Compact Velvet 2 Seater Sofa
Inspire Westwood Fabric 2 Seater Pocket Sprung Sofa Bed Scatter Back
Cruz Coffee Table with Shelf
Oak Lounge Open Shelf Unit
Hoxton Velvet Storage Footstool
Trafalgar White Dropleaf Dining Table
Knightsbridge Nest of 3 Tables
So when it comes to making the most out of your small space, always remember less is more. If you can streamline your choices and household items, and be savvy with multi-purpose furniture you’ll find it a doddle. If it’s not functional or doesn’t serve a purpose, it’s not worth the floor space. Just make sure to refer back to my top tips if in doubt.
Happy compact living!
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