Living in a small house offers a number of benefits, including less upkeep, lower utility bills, and a cozy atmosphere. However, residents of small homes often face challenges with storage and design. How do you organize all your belongings in a tiny space while maintaining a tidy and attractive home?
Organizing and decorating a small living space requires some creative thinking, but it’s absolutely possible. If you’re willing to be flexible and think outside the box with your design strategy, you can turn your little house into your dream home. Here are 17 ideas for maximizing a small living area:
1. Divide Rooms Into Zones
Splitting up one room into multiple areas is one of the best ways to turn a small home into a functional living space. If you live in a studio, create a separate living area and bedroom by setting up a curtain or room divider. Alternatively, area rugs are a great way to create separate zones visually while still maintaining an open space.
2. Install a Murphy Bed
A Murphy bed is an excellent way to save space if you live in a studio or have a small bedroom. The bed folds into the wall, opening up the living space during the day. Even better, invest in a Murphy cabinet bed that offers extra storage space as well.
3. Use Tulip Tables
Bulky furniture creates visual weight and takes up too much space in small homes. To create more open space, use tulip tables as nightstands or end tables. These tables offer plenty of surface area for decor or belongings, but their narrow bases look light and minimalist.
4. Add Storage Furniture
When you don’t have much space to work with, furniture that doubles as storage is a godsend. Look for a bed with drawers to store your clothes or extra bedding. In your living room, a pouf or ottoman can offer storage while doubling as a seat or footrest.
5. Convert a Closet
Closet space may be badly needed for storage in a small house or apartment. However, if you have any closet space to spare, consider using it for another purpose. For example, you could put a desk in your closet to convert it to a home office, or “cloffice.” A stacking washer and dryer can also fit nicely in most closets, saving you space elsewhere in your home.
6. Mount Your TV
Mounting your TV on the wall is a simple but effective way to open up your living area. It allows you to use your TV stand to store other items, or you could get rid of it altogether to create more open space in your home. It’s also easier to hide cables with a wall-mounted TV, which reduces visual clutter.
7. Use Vertical Space
When your house has limited square footage, thinking vertically is the best solution. Install tall cabinets or shelves throughout your house to create more storage space. If you have space on top of your kitchen cabinets, keep infrequently used items there. Hang your plants from the ceiling instead of keeping them on shelves or racks.
8. Store Things Under Furniture
A couch with legs is a great option for a small home. Not only does it have less visual weight, but it offers valuable storage space for small bins or other items. Lifting your bed higher off the floor with furniture risers can also give you more storage.
9. Install Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are visually interesting and give you a place to display your books, plants, or decor. You could install them in corners, above doorways, or in other areas of your home that would otherwise be unused.
10. Get Creative With Kitchen Storage
Kitchen storage is one of the biggest obstacles for many people living in small homes. Fortunately, there are countless ways you can get creative with kitchen storage. Attach a magnetic knife rack or paper towel holder to your refrigerator to free up counter space. Install a spice rack on the inside of a cabinet door. Hang your pots or pans on the backsplash above your stove instead of storing them in a cabinet. Put lazy Susans in your cabinets to maximize storage while maintaining functionality.
11. Add Storage in Bathroom
Just like kitchen storage, bathroom storage can be a challenge in small houses or apartments. You can increase your bathroom storage by installing shelves over the toilet or adding hooks to the door for towels. A towel ladder can double as storage and decor. You could also use decorative baskets to store your towels and toiletries in an aesthetically pleasing way.
12. Turn Accessories Into Decor
If you’re into style and fashion, your accessories could double as home decor. For instance, a jewelry tree is both beautiful and functional. You could hang your hats or scarves on a wall or door, too.
13. Decorate to the Ceiling
Just like you should think vertically with storage, you should also maximize your vertical space when decorating. A gallery wall that extends all the way to the ceiling can create visual intrigue and make a room look larger. Tapestries or quilts that reach the ceiling are another great decor option.
14. Use Color Strategically
Color can be a vital part of your design strategy when living in a small house. While a consistent color palette will create a sense of flow throughout the home, using different color schemes for different areas can help you create zones. Pops of color against a neutral backdrop also tend to work well in small spaces.
15. Install Curtains Near the Ceiling
Long curtains create the illusion of higher ceilings. Consider installing your curtain rods about a foot above the window and purchasing long curtains that will reach the floor.
16. Use Mirrors
Mirrors can make a small room look much larger, especially if they reflect a lot of natural light. Including both floor and wall-mounted mirrors in your design strategy can help you make the most of a small space.
17. Add Lighting
Lighting can make all the difference in any home. By installing a variety of lighting sources, you can change up the atmosphere in the room simply by flipping a switch. For instance, you might use the overhead lighting when working from home during the day but turn on pendant lights or lamps when relaxing in the evening. When possible, opt for wall-mounted lighting sources to conserve floor space.
As long as you’re thoughtful and intentional with your interior design, you can live comfortably in a small house. Add storage space wherever you can, opt for multipurpose furniture, and put every inch of the home to use. With these strategies, you’ll maximize your space and fall in love with living in a small home.
