Do you live in a home or flat with limited space for furniture and storage? If so, stick with us to discover how to make your home as spacious and convenient as possible.
Living in the UK means making the most of compact spaces. Quaint cottages in the countryside or flats in the bustling city of London can be quite small, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make them stylish and comfortable!
With a few clever strategies, you can transform even the smallest rooms into functional areas. So, let’s dive into ten space-saving tips and tricks to help you maximise your home.
1. Embrace Multi-Functional Furniture
When it comes to a small home, multi-functional furniture is your best friend.
This is key to maximising space and functionality without sacrificing your comfort or interior style. For this, a sofa bed is the perfect place to start. These are ideal for guests, doubling as a cosy bed during the night and a stylish couch throughout the day.
If you often have visitors around or you’re the designated host, an extended dining table is ideal. These are compact for everyday use and can be extended to accommodate more guests for parties or gatherings.
2. Use Vertical Storage Solutions
Wall shelves are one of the most popular ways to increase storage capacity. These can be placed in any room to hold extra ornaments, store books, or organise everyday essentials. For this, use sturdy drywall screws to secure your shelves for a long-lasting fit.
For a more modern appearance, you could opt for corner shelves, which slot into the corner of the room. These are commonly used to organise plants, photographs, and personal trinkets.
Vertical shoe racks are another popular option. These can be placed in the hallway to prevent clutter and simplify your everyday routine.
3. Opt for Wall-Mounted Desks
Do you work or study from home? If so, a wall-mounted desk is perfect for you.
This is attached directly to the wall, freeing up floor space without sacrificing efficiency. Some varieties come with a fold-up feature, so you can move it out of the way for extra space when it’s not in use.
Wall-mounted desks are multifunctional; they can serve as vanity tables, craft tables, or extra shelves.
4. Declutter Regularly
Clutter can quickly build up in the home, leaving you with a pile of junk that serves no purpose.
This leads to overcrowding, increasing dust, dirt, and obstruction. De-cluttering is the best place to start to increase space in your home. Start by clearing out drawers, donating old clothes, and recycling broken items.
Work your way slowly through the house, clearing out anything you don’t need. To prevent clutter in the future, set aside a time each week or month to re-organise your home and cut down on your consumption.
5. Utilise Under-Bed Storage
The area underneath your bed serves as the perfect storage space waiting to be used.
You could opt for beds with pre-built drawers or place storage bins and boxes underneath your bed. These can be used to store extra clothes, bedding, or shoes.
If your bed sits low to the ground, use a bed riser to elevate the furniture by a few inches, providing more room for bins, boxes, or drawers.
6. Create an Illusion of Space with Mirrors
Mirrors are powerful tools in interior design. These can create the illusion of space by reflecting light into the home and creating depth, making a room feel larger.
Place a mirror opposite the windows to maximise the amount of natural light in a room. Large or full-length mirrors can make a room feel twice its actual size.
Add mirrors above furniture or in small spaces like hallways to create a focal point and make your home appear more spacious. Mirrored furniture, such as wardrobes, tables, and dressers, can also enhance space while adding a touch of elegance.
7. Install Sliding Doors
Unlike traditional doors, sliding doors glide along a track, making them ideal for small or cramped spaces.
Sliding doors don’t require additional space to be swung open, freeing up floor space and preventing damage to surrounding furniture.
Glass sliding doors can increase natural light in the home, making the space feel more open and airy. Due to their versatility, sliding doors can be incorporated into kitchen pantries, shower enclosures, and closets.
8. Use Hooks and Pegboards
Hooks and pegboards are versatile and effective solutions for space-saving storage.
Hooks can be placed anywhere in the home, serving as coat hangers for hallways, utensil hooks for kitchens, and towel hangers for bathrooms. This can also be used to hang plants or fairy lights for decoration.
Pegboards are ideal for offices, garages, and sheds, holding a variety of tools and equipment. This can help keep your workspace safe and tidy for various activities.
9. Choose Foldable and Stackable Items
Foldable furniture is perfect for small homes and flats.
This includes foldable chairs and tables for dining or working, foldable desks for home offices, and Murphy beds that fold up into the wall when not in use.
These free up floor space in the home, allowing you to adjust the area for different activities. For practicality, foldable or stackable everyday items, such as clothing racks, storage containers, and laundry baskets, are ideal.
10. Under-Stair Storage
Don’t just let the space under your stairs go to waste; turn it into an extra storage cupboard!
You could add built-in cabinets or drawers for household supplies, turn the space into open storage for coats or books, or create a small wine cellar for a sophisticated feature.
The opportunities are endless! Plus, it’s not only innovative and efficient, but it also enhances the aesthetic of your home.
