Big Up Your Small Space With These Too-Easy Tricks
Space-saving furniture and visual tricks can open up and add function to your compact home
While there’s no escaping the reality that a small space tends to be, well, small, it is possible to make your small space feel as big as it possibly can. Here are a few tips to visually elongate your home and make it brighter and more open, along with furniture suggestions that up your storage capacity so your petite space doesn’t feel claustrophobic.
Sofa with storage
A sofa that offers storage is a double whammy in a small space. I find that splurging on custom built-ins, if you can, provides the best results, and homeowners never regret the expense of smart storage. But if you’re looking for a DIY option, seek out a sturdy shelf that has cubbies and a strong frame. Ideally you’re choosing a shelf that’s made to either stand upright or be on its side, like Ikea’s Expedit [Kallax in Australia], which I used in my own home shown here.
I placed two Expedit shelves on their sides – one against the wall and one in front of that – and topped them with a child-size futon, a blanket and some pillows. The cubbies below provide deep storage all the way to the back for rarely used items and handy baskets up front for things you need in a pinch.
A sofa that offers storage is a double whammy in a small space. I find that splurging on custom built-ins, if you can, provides the best results, and homeowners never regret the expense of smart storage. But if you’re looking for a DIY option, seek out a sturdy shelf that has cubbies and a strong frame. Ideally you’re choosing a shelf that’s made to either stand upright or be on its side, like Ikea’s Expedit [Kallax in Australia], which I used in my own home shown here.
I placed two Expedit shelves on their sides – one against the wall and one in front of that – and topped them with a child-size futon, a blanket and some pillows. The cubbies below provide deep storage all the way to the back for rarely used items and handy baskets up front for things you need in a pinch.
Wall bed
A wall or fold-up bed is one of the best ways to have your cake and eat it too in a small space. If you’re unwilling to part with your king-size bed in an 18-square-metre space, for example, this will allow you that luxury.
An additional benefit of a wall bed is that you don’t have to lose light or ceiling height as you do with a loft bed. You can buy hardware and make your own wall bed, purchase a ready-made one or even have one custom made. Adding trim to the exterior makes it feel more finished and intentional.
A wall or fold-up bed is one of the best ways to have your cake and eat it too in a small space. If you’re unwilling to part with your king-size bed in an 18-square-metre space, for example, this will allow you that luxury.
An additional benefit of a wall bed is that you don’t have to lose light or ceiling height as you do with a loft bed. You can buy hardware and make your own wall bed, purchase a ready-made one or even have one custom made. Adding trim to the exterior makes it feel more finished and intentional.
See-through table
A ‘ghost’ table is another great multi-purpose item. It’s a desk, console table, bedside table or dinner table for one and will visually disappear into a room.
Browse more compact bedrooms
A ‘ghost’ table is another great multi-purpose item. It’s a desk, console table, bedside table or dinner table for one and will visually disappear into a room.
Browse more compact bedrooms
Visual Tricks
Horizontal lines
Choose repeating horizontal lines in the flooring, siding and even ceiling boards to make a room feel longer. Forgoing a rug is another helpful way to make your space feel bigger. Not having any visual interruption on the floorboards creates an optical illusion that your space is longer than it is.
Horizontal lines
Choose repeating horizontal lines in the flooring, siding and even ceiling boards to make a room feel longer. Forgoing a rug is another helpful way to make your space feel bigger. Not having any visual interruption on the floorboards creates an optical illusion that your space is longer than it is.
Let the light in
Choosing glass French doors allows more light to enter your space, making it feel more open. They also let as much light in as possible without having to cut into the walls to add extra windows, particularly helpful if you’re modifying an existing small space. There are plenty of decent low-end French doors out there, or try finding some used ones to keep costs down.
Choosing glass French doors allows more light to enter your space, making it feel more open. They also let as much light in as possible without having to cut into the walls to add extra windows, particularly helpful if you’re modifying an existing small space. There are plenty of decent low-end French doors out there, or try finding some used ones to keep costs down.
Light paint
A lighter wall colour allows you to keep your space open and bright while then accessorising with pops of colour and enriching the room with various textures. One of my favourite white wall colours is ‘White Diamond’ by Benjamin Moore. It bounces light and can ensure that your little abode won’t feel cavelike.
How to choose the right white paint
A lighter wall colour allows you to keep your space open and bright while then accessorising with pops of colour and enriching the room with various textures. One of my favourite white wall colours is ‘White Diamond’ by Benjamin Moore. It bounces light and can ensure that your little abode won’t feel cavelike.
How to choose the right white paint
Paint furniture the same colour as the walls
Painting furniture and appliances the same colour as the walls (or choosing appliance finishes in the same colour) also helps a space feel bigger. Bring in accent colour with plants, textiles and accessories.
Placing a cutting board (or sample marble tile as I did here) over a sink creates an extra cutting and prep surface when you’re not using the sink – another great space-saving trick.
Painting furniture and appliances the same colour as the walls (or choosing appliance finishes in the same colour) also helps a space feel bigger. Bring in accent colour with plants, textiles and accessories.
Placing a cutting board (or sample marble tile as I did here) over a sink creates an extra cutting and prep surface when you’re not using the sink – another great space-saving trick.
Overlooked Spaces
Go up
Continue your storage up your walls to create more room without taking up precious floor space. Choosing attractive versions of staples like containers or a tea kettle allow you to skip additional storage by keeping such items in the open.
Go up
Continue your storage up your walls to create more room without taking up precious floor space. Choosing attractive versions of staples like containers or a tea kettle allow you to skip additional storage by keeping such items in the open.
Go out
Continue your interior space outside to allow your petite space to feel more expansive and less limiting. Add additional seating, accessories, art, plants and anything else to entice you and your guests out. Having the space, even if it’s a small balcony for one person, to have tea in the mornings or wine in the evenings is something you won’t ever take for granted.
TELL US
How have you boosted the space (or just the appearance of space) in your small home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about small spaces
Continue your interior space outside to allow your petite space to feel more expansive and less limiting. Add additional seating, accessories, art, plants and anything else to entice you and your guests out. Having the space, even if it’s a small balcony for one person, to have tea in the mornings or wine in the evenings is something you won’t ever take for granted.
TELL US
How have you boosted the space (or just the appearance of space) in your small home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
MORE
Read more about small spaces
Furniture that has multiple functions helps a home feel less cluttered, while not forgoing the ability to accommodate guests.
Double drop-leaf tables
Tables like the one shown here can provide eating surface for one or two people and expand to accommodate small groups.
When not in use, certain models can completely fold away to be tucked behind a door or leaned against a wall. Pair one with folding chairs and you’ll save even more space.
Find a version with wheels or add your own to easily pull the table around to create a console near the entryway or a makeshift bar cart.
If you’re looking for something similar for your own tiny space, search for terms such as ‘double drop-leaf’, ‘narrow dinner table’ or ‘expandable’ table to find a piece that will be multi-functional and work in a petite space. A few big-box stores have new versions of this style, but if you’re looking for vintage, the mid-century era was especially big on multi-functional pieces for compact living.
Dining tables squeezed into small spaces