The truth is, the average size of apartments in the U.S. is shrinking, and studio and one-bedroom apartments are becoming more prevalent (rentcafe.com). This means knowing how to design for small spaces has never been more important. Whether you’re not quite ready to purchase a home or you’re looking to downsize, the creative possibilities are endless for maximizing square footage at home without sacrificing comfort or style. Let’s dive into some of the ways you can transform your home by making the most of your space.

Small Space Design Ideas

Multifunctional Furniture

All your essential items have to go somewhere, but how do you find a right place for everything without taking away from the rest of your home? Multifunctional furniture can be a lifeline for finding storage space without cluttering your home. Explore ottomans that have compartments to stow blankets, magazines, and other living room items. Folding desks can also ease the burden of storage without getting messy. Thanks to items like these, you can avoid investing in an outside storage unit just because you have limited square footage at home.

 

A living room with minimal decorations that show how to design a small space, with elements of multifunctional design throughout the open living room including a multi-purpose couch and a convertible shelving unit.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: KatarzynaBialasiewicz

 

Maximize Vertical Space

Fortunately, there’s more space available to you than the floor surface area of your home. Storage can be arranged vertically with items like hanging shelves and drawers. This can be especially helpful in the kitchen, where getting items up and away from the more cluttered areas within reach will clear counter space and make the space feel more open and inviting. Wall-mounted magnetic strips for knives and hanging racks for pots and pans can clear significant space.

 

A White woman with short greying hair reaches for kitchen items on her open shelves above her countertops.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: enigma_images

 

Embrace Minimalism

When you move into a smaller space, you’ll be faced with a question: what do I really need? With only so much room available, this is the perfect opportunity for an exercise in minimalism. Paring down your possessions will reduce clutter and make the smaller spaces in your home feel roomier. Consider purchasing a bed with built-in storage drawers, which can eliminate the need for a bulky dresser in the bedroom. Get creative with floating shelves to lessen the need for large bookshelves and credenzas. Though these are common furnishings, they take up space and tend to dominate smaller rooms.

 

An airy and minimalist living room with a small coffee table and hardwood floors with neutral color palette of cream, taupe, and blue shows how to design a small corner that looks lived in and stylish.

Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: Aleksandra Zlatkovic

 

With a touch of creativity, you can transform your home’s interior while maximizing your square footage, and most importantly, making your home feel more like you. For more tips on remodeling and more, visit the Living category of our blog:

Windermere Blog | Living

 

­­­­­­Featured Image Source: Getty Images – Image Credit: xavierarnau

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