Running out of space? 8 tricks to help you maximize any indoor and outdoor area
According to a poll conducted by the National Association of Home Builders in 2018, 53% of Americans were inclined to living in a 600 sq. ft. or smaller house.
Small living doesn’t only cover tiny homes though. It also refers to apartments, condo units and flats.
But managing a small living space can also be incredibly tricky. You can only fit a few appliances and smaller-than-usual furniture. If you won’t invest on storage, your home can easily get unorganized and cluttered.
No matter how big or small, your home should be a place where you can relax and enjoy.
This is why it’s important to follow these tips so you can get the best out of your space!
- Outline What Goes Where
Identify where big furniture and essential appliances will be placed so you’ll know how much area you can convert to another feature (e.g. reading nook) or for more storage. This also helps avoid buying bulky and unnecessary items and only focus on the things you need with the space you have.
- Establish a Visual Interest
Living small doesn’t mean leaving your home out of style. You don’t need to buy an expensive painting or an antique sofa. Even with limited space, you can easily create a focal point by just painting one wall with a different color than the entire room. You can also put up a large framed-mirror to make the space look bigger or hang decorations on these wooden hexagon floating shelves to create a wall accent.
- Choose Multi-purpose Furniture
You don’t know how much space you can save by getting a center table that can also serve as extra seating or storage. Sofas that turn into beds are quite popular in studio unit owners.
For yards or outdoor spaces, you can maximize it by getting a bench with hidden storage or this bench with side planters. You have to think of clever ways to keep your home stylish and functional without being too cramped.
- Less Is More
Small decors are nice but when there’s too much of them, they can make your home unappealing. Your goal is to keep things neat but chic so go for statement pieces that can also serve another purpose like a nicely patterned rug or a geometric glass shelf.
- Go Vertical or Go Hidden
Everything that you need will definitely take up most of the floor space so instead of getting standing cabinets, install hanging shelves and cupboards. For small kitchens, you can set up wall racks and hooks to hang cooking utensils, pots and pans.
You can also invest in a durable collapsible storage that you can keep hidden when you don’t need it. Or you can build cabinets underneath the bed or staircase to exhaust all hidden spaces.
If you only have a small balcony, you can still have a nice garden using wall-mounted planters or a vertical gardening system.
- Drive Out Darkness
Nothing makes a room more depressing than keeping it in the dark. That’s why it’s important to identify where large items will be placed first to avoid covering windows or any opening where natural light can come through. If your home doesn’t have enough windows, install a series of cove lights or a mini chandelier.
Don’t forget to light up your outdoor space, too. This floor solar light will not only illuminate your patio but also make it look more classy.
- Get Some Nature Inside
Plants and flowers are not exclusive to the outdoors so why not integrate some of nature’s beauty inside your home? Aside from bringing life and more color to your home, some plants also repel insects and pests. Their natural odor doesn’t only lift the room but will also boost your mood.
- Never Stop De-cluttering
Your house may be complete but things can pile up quickly without you noticing. These can be a few paper scraps or a few items you’ve picked up from the thrift shop you frequent. Allocate some time to assess if some of your possessions are still useful. If some them are no longer needed, better sell them or give them away.
Living small has its pros and cons but in this age where space is now luxury, you need to make do with what you have. Bigger things can come out of smaller spaces as long as you use them at their full potential.