Space Saving Techniques for Smaller Homes 

We are all spending a ton of time in our homes lately. If you’re like us, you are tired of bumping into that same chair and staring at the same pile of files on the table every day since April. If you’re living in a smaller home, you could probably use some ways to open up some room for more livable space. Read on for some creative tips to maximize every inch of space you have!

Clever Uses for Stairs

You don’t have to be a Harry Potter fan to know the space under your stairs is useful (sorry, Harry)! There is so much square footage lost underneath the stairs that can be used in different ways. A popular hack is to install built-in drawers for concealable storage or shelving for anything you have too much of: craft supplies, sports equipment, or kitchenware. With some discreet and simple hardware, no one will even know there’s storage behind the wall!

If you’re lucky enough to have a finished out area under the stairs, it’s already the perfect storage solution; but with a little creativity, you can actually transform it into a functional living space. Place a few cabinets and shelves underneath for a mini library of your books and your old DVD collection. If you have enough space, add in a bench or a chair and you have a new reading nook! A couple of other ideas are creating a small playroom for the kids or a pet home. These are both super fun ideas that prevent the mess of a toy box explosion or the eyesore of a crate in the middle of the room. There are many clever uses for the space under the stairs, so we think you should definitely take advantage of it.

Space-Saving Furniture

If you’re someone who doesn’t mind stepping away from traditional furniture pieces, we think multifunctional or collapsible furniture pieces are genius ways to save floor space. There are all kinds of multipurpose furniture: coffee tables that extend into work stations, beds with built-in storage, tables and small desks that fold up against  the wall, and even murphy beds which lift  up to disappear completely.  The possibilities are endless! On a more fun note: if you want to have a game room but don’t have the space you would need for it there are even more options!  From pool tables that convert into dining tables to ping pong tables that fold up into a door! We know some these options aren’t for everyone, but keeping an open mind is important when trying to use a small space in big ways.

Closets

Sometimes organization is the best way to free up space. Take a serious look at your closet. Are you taking advantage of the floor space and the area above the clothing rack? Storage cubes, dividers, and plastic drawers are simple ways to reorder your belongings and maximize functional space. If you can stay organized, and tuck any crazy old Halloween costumes out of sight, removing the closet door is an out-of-the-box idea to go one step further and open up the room even more.

Shelves

One of our favorite tips for making unused spaces functional: shelves, shelves, and more shelves! We touched on shelves a little bit in each category, but we really mean it: shelving is everything! These make great out-of-the way spots to stash books, plants, decor, and anything else that takes up unnecessary space. An added bonus is that properly placed shelving can make ceilings appear higher. But too much of a good thing can easily begin to make smaller spaces look and feel cluttered, so don’t go too crazy. 

Along the same line of interior shelving, overhead storage is a fabulous option in garages, basements, attics, and other non-living rooms. It might take a little effort to get the units installed (they are over your head!), but this option is affordable, lightweight, and a no-brainer to us. Keep in mind, this is Texas: you don’t want to store anything that can be damaged in an overheated garage!

Kitchen Hacks

Too often there are too many cooks in the kitchen, which is a big problem in a small space. If your kitchen is on the small side, there are probably too many pots, pans, utensils, dishes, appliances, and cookbooks, too! The good news is there are plenty of solutions. Pegboards which have perforations for hooks or nails, can hold heavier items than shelves making them  great for hanging pots, lids, and larger utensils (also is a fun, fresh way to decorate) If counter space is a problem, try a tiered storage shelf or some cute baskets on top of your cabinets for items that typically clutter the area. Make sure you’re maximizing existing space too! Even your sink can be converted to counter space. With the right space-saving techniques, you’ll be able to appreciate your kitchen so much more. 

We are big fans of thinking outside of the box. Whether you’re in a small home or just have some smaller rooms to tackle, a little bit of creativity, organization, and maybe even different furniture  will go a long way in helping your small space reach its maximum potential. For more home tips, check out our other recent blog posts.