Smaller homes are often the catalyst for many people to change the amount of clutter they have, whilst finding nifty storage solutions and clever ideas they may have never thought of otherwise.
Whether you are living in a studio apartment or smaller than average house, these design ideas will help make your home feel so much bigger:
Use Rooms Creatively
Just because a room was originally built to serve a particular function doesn’t mean it has to be used that way. Consider your intended purpose for each area. Create zones within each room to separate the space and define functionality based on your personal needs. Don’t forget that one room may have many purposes in a smaller home.
Use Smarter Storage
Smart closet systems help to maximise your storage space. Even if installing permanent closet systems isn’t an option in your situation, there are still many other ways you can make the most of whatever space you have. For example, don’t use floor space for storage wherever possible. Instead, use cheap shelving units or pantry bins to organise things like shoes, rather than having them all over the closet floor. Not only does this help with the clutter, but you won’t need to move everything when you clean the floor.
Use Wall Space
This is might be an obvious one but use your vertical space wisely. Taking bookcases and cabinets all the way to the ceiling and using other high-mounted or hanging elements is the best way to take advantage of the space between furniture and ceiling. You should display paintings, artwork, and any other framed items as high as possible above eye level. Ultimately, it'll make the room feel higher, giving the illusion of a taller ceiling.
Enlarge windows, install doors with glass, or you may be able to tear down walls to really open up the areas and connect adjacent spaces. If none of that is possible, mirrors are one of the oldest design tricks to make your home feel brighter, larger, and airier without taking up any extra space.
Media appliances are the biggest waste of space in smaller living areas. So, mount your TV on the wall to regain some much-needed floor space. You should also mount your desk to the wall as it will take up much less room, and you can mount some shelves above it for added storage space.
Use Functional Furniture
Choose furniture that offers the maximum functionality in a minimal area. Finding multi-purpose furniture is key. Like a table that functions as a dining table and a desk, or a sofa that doubles as a bed for guests.
Use larger but fewer furnishings. While it seems counterintuitive, outfitting small spaces with a couple of large pieces of furniture can actually make the room feel grander. And always resist the urge to push furniture against the walls. When you leave space behind furniture, it makes a room seem much wider.
Living in smaller spaces is challenging, but you will always find ways to use your space wisely.
If you’re ready to embrace a home of your own, check out our First Home Buyers Package and read our 8 simple steps to getting your first home here.