In recent years, small homes have enjoyed an upswing in popularity due to the rise in housing costs. They offer several benefits, mainly affordability, sustainability, and availability. Due to their size, these houses require lower construction costs and reduced utility bills. You can even use existing structures, such as shipping containers or sheds, as a base for your home.
With the right design, small homes can provide the same convenience and comfort as regular-sized homes. Here are four tips to maximize space in your small home to get you started.
Divide Your Space into Zones
Most homeowners favor open floor layouts in small homes since constructing separate rooms can take up a lot of space. However, you still need to divide your area into zones based on their intended purpose for better organization, flow, and overall look. Instead of using permanent walls, consider dividing your space using visual elements or furniture to maximize available space.
One way to divide your room is to use a room divider, such as a foldable screen or a mirrored divider, to help enlarge the look of the space. If you don’t want to obstruct the view between zones, you can use a transparent glass divider or a wooden screen divider made of some poultry mesh netting. For added functionality, you can section areas using furniture such as shelves, cabinets, or tall bookcases.
If you prefer visual cues over physical dividers, you can vary the flooring or wall paint per zone to create a boundary. You can also use rugs to separate areas. For example, you can separate the sleeping area from the rest of the home by placing your bed on top of a wide rug.
Opt for Multipurpose Furniture
Multipurpose furniture allows you to get two furniture functions in the space of one, making it a must in small homes.
You can find multiple options for multipurpose furniture online. These help you design a compact space while making room for all your things.
For the living room, use sofa beds or convertible armchairs that fold down to beds for when guests sleep over. You can also choose a sectional sofa, which you can arrange to fit the available space. You can separate the ottoman for use as a coffee table on regular days and as extra seating for guests.
For the kitchen and dining area, you can use extendable tables instead of regular-sized tables, which can accommodate more people during mealtimes but take up less space when not in use.
For the bedroom, it’s important to make the most of available space. One way to do this is by opting for high quality bed sets. Investing in a bed set that takes up less space can make all the difference in a small home. Look for bed sets with a low profile and built-in storage, such as drawers and shelves.
Adopt a Minimalist Design
Minimalism prioritizes simplicity and focuses on bare essentials when decorating the home. Open clutter-free spaces and abundant natural lighting usually characterize minimalist interiors.
Adopting a minimalist approach helps you maximize your space by being intentional with the furniture and decorations you install. Here are some tips to implement a minimalist design in your home:
- Store items in their designated zones. It also helps you locate them easily when needed, ensuring you waste no time on possibly turning your space inside out look for these items.
- Once items are not in use, return them to the proper storage areas to keep your spaces clutter-free.
- Things can accumulate fast in your home, so make sure to perform an annual evaluation and cleanout in your home. Sort through your items and decide what to dispose of, donate, or keep.
Make Use of Walls and Awkward Spaces
One way to maximize space in your home is to use walls as storage areas to free up floor space. For example, you can use floating shelves and racks or attach hooks behind doors to hang up your coats or bags. You can also install a wall-mounted TV instead of using an entertainment unit.
Additionally, utilize awkward spaces to make the most of the available area. You can DIY your cabinets or closets to fill the awkward space. Nooks are also great areas for a workspace or a cozy reading corner.
If you wish to add greenery to your space, choose planters that take up less space. You can make the planters yourself using recyclable materials. For example, opt for hanging planters made of plastic bottles instead of pots that take up floor space. If you want to adorn your tables or counters with small succulents, create tiny pots out of recycled egg cartons.
Aside from maximizing the space available, you can also use the right colors, patterns, and lighting to make your home look and feel more spacious. You can start by creating a color palette for the space. Try to limit the number of colors added to your palette since too many colors can be distracting and make your space look cluttered.
Light colors, especially white, can reflect light, which can open up a room and make it look more spacious. Natural lighting can also make space look cozier. To maximize natural light, you can install larger windows or place mirrors in strategic locations to reflect lights.
