Living in a small home doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort, convenience, or elegance. With some smart organization ideas and stylish products, you can make the most of every inch of your space and create a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Here are some tips on how to maximize space in small homes, especially for luxury niche consumers living in expensive city lofts.
Use Vertical Space
One of the best ways to optimize space in a small home is to use the vertical wall space that first time home buyers frequently forget about. You can install wall-mounted shelves, cabinets, hooks, pegboards, racks, and other storage solutions to store and display your items without taking up floor space. For instance, you can use a brass kitchen bar to hang your utensils, paper towels, and pot holders, or a magnetic organizer to attach your spices, knives, and measuring cups to the side of your fridge. You can also use a ladder shelf to showcase your books, plants, and art pieces in your living room, or a peg board to organize your office or game room gadgets.
Another way to save space in a small home is to choose furniture that serves more than one purpose. For example, you can use a storage ottoman as a coffee table, a seat, and a place to stash your blankets, magazines, and remote controls. You can also use a Murphy bed that folds into a bookcase or a desk, transforming your dining room or home office into a guest room when needed. Or you can use a space-saving table with storage shelves built into the legs, perfect for a small eating area or a work station.
Did you know?
When it comes to organizing a small home, quality matters more than quantity. You want to invest in products that are durable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, not cheap and flimsy. That’s why you should shop at reputable stores like Target and the Container Store, where you can find a variety of high-end products for small-space organization. For example, you can buy these Better Homes & Gardens Fabric Cube Storage Bins10 to sort your items in your closet, pantry, or entryway. Or you can buy this InterDesign Linus Large Drawer Organizer Starter Kit¹¹ to customize your drawer space in your kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom. Or you can buy this Mustard Made The Shorty¹² to add some color and charm to your space with a metal locker that can store anything from clothes to books to toys.
Learn from the French on how to use vintage furniture, mirrors, and plants to add some personality and charm to your space.”
If you need some more inspiration on how to maximize space in a small home, you can look at how people in other countries do it. Many countries in Europe and elsewhere have a long history of living in small apartments and have developed some ingenious solutions for making the most of their space. For example, you can learn from the Japanese how to use sliding doors, screens, and curtains to divide your space and create privacy. Or you can learn from the Scandinavians how to use light colors, natural materials, and minimalistic design to create a bright and airy feel. Or you can learn from the French how to use vintage furniture, mirrors, and plants to add some personality and charm to your space. Also, multipurpose furniture that can help you save space and add functionality to your small home.
Here are some ideas:
- A coffee table that can lift up and extend into a dining table or a work desk. You can store your items inside the table when not in use and enjoy a versatile surface for different activities. You can check out the Turner Lift Top Coffee Table or the Sauder Dakota Pass Lift-Top Coffee Table for some examples.
- A bookcase that can double as a room divider or a display shelf. You can use it to create separate zones in your open space or to showcase your favorite books, plants, and art pieces. You can find some elegant and sturdy options at the Container Store, such as the White Elfa Décor Freestanding Bookshelf or the Driftwood & Platinum Elfa Deluxe Office.
- A bench that can also serve as a storage unit or a shoe rack. You can place it near your entryway or in your bedroom and use it to store your shoes, bags, coats, and other items. You can also use it as a seat when you need to put on or take off your shoes. You can browse some attractive and practical options at Target, such as the Barnside Metro Storage Bench or the Windham Entryway Bench.
- A sofa bed that can transform into a comfortable sleeping area for guests or yourself. You can find some stylish and affordable options at IKEA, such as the FRIHETEN corner sofa-bed or the HAMMARN sofa-bed.
Living in a small home can be a blessing, not a curse. With some creativity and planning, you can turn your small space into a comfortable and stylish sanctuary that reflects your taste and lifestyle. By using vertical space, choosing multipurpose furniture, investing in quality products, and getting inspired by other countries, you can maximize space in your small home and enjoy every moment of it.
Source:
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(2) The 15 Best Storage Solutions for Small Spaces of 2024. https://www.thespruce.com/best-storage-small-spaces-6892411.
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(5) There has never been a better time to start a small space agency. https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/11/26/131822/why-its-now-the-perfect-time-to-start-a-small-space-agency/.
(6) Strengthening collaboration among European space startups | McKinsey. https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/aerospace-and-defense/our-insights/strengthening-collaboration-in-the-european-space-ecosystem.
(7) 36 Genius Small Space Storage & Organization Ideas That Work. https://kidsactivitiesblog.com/65658/small-space-organization-ideas/.
(8) 22 Vertical Space Storage Ideas Because Enough’s Enough With the …. https://dengarden.com/news/vertical-space-storage-organization-ideas.
(9) DIY Solutions to Maximize Vertical Space in Every Room. https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/maximize-vertical-space-in-every-room/.
(10) 7 ways to use vertical storage to save space and organize your home – MSN. https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/home-and-garden/7-ways-to-use-vertical-storage-to-save-space-and-organize-your-home/ar-AA1loyDL.
(11) The Power Of Vertical Storage: Utilizing Wall Space For Optimal …. https://www.harlemworldmagazine.com/the-power-of-vertical-storage-utilizing-wall-space-for-optimal-organization/.
(12) 110+ Small Space Organization, Storage & Living Hacks. https://www.minimizemymess.com/blog/small-space-organization-hacks.
(13) The Best Cheap Food Storage Containers – Target | The Kitchn. https://www.thekitchn.com/cheap-target-food-storage-containers-23198567.
